I. HISTORY OF THE MLA HANDBOOK

The first Missouri Library Association Handbook was published in 1906. The founding and organization of the Association was recorded as well as the 1906 officers, meetings, and constitution. The Missouri "Library Laws--Section Reference," "How To Start A Library in Missouri," and a summary of libraries in Missouri, (including number of volumes, date established, income, librarian) were included. Photographs of some libraries are also presented in the publication. Another section stated an "Argument for a State Library Commission" and "Proposed Missouri Library Commission Bill." There were 83 members listed in the Handbook.

In 1915, the second Missouri Library Association Handbook was published. This Handbook included a brief history of the Association, charter members, a list of meetings, officers, constitution, and membership (94 individual and 9 institutional members). "Library Advancement in Missouri since 1906" was summarized. "Public Libraries and the Carnegie Building Fund," Missouri photographs and floor plans of several libraries were presented. Information on reference libraries, traveling libraries, library training in Missouri, proprietary libraries, and the Missouri Library Commission was also included.

The third Handbook was entitled "Missouri Libraries 1915-1935" and was published as volume 37, no. 18 of the University of Missouri Bulletin, Library Series. The 1935 publication records library activities and progress in Missouri for the twenty year period, such as major activities, constitution, "State Library Plan of Missouri," certification of librarians, Missouri Library Commission history, "Missouri Library Laws--Summary," "State Library Survey--Summary," library training, membership, and "Library Clubs, Staff Organization and Affiliated

Organizations."

The MLA Handbook of 1966 contains the terms and duties of officers, term, membership and functions of committees and boards, and the constitutions and bylaws of the Divisions and of MLA.

The Handbook published in 1977 updated material relating to specific units and offices of MLA; incorporated material that did not fall within the realm of a single unit, in a section entitled "Motions in Force"; and changed the organization of the Handbook to improve access to the material in it and to allow for change, through the looseleaf format.

The Handbook was updated again in 1983, adding a section listing Association Policies as well as an Annual Conference Handbook and the Intellectual Freedom Handbook, again in the looseleaf format.

In October, 1987, the Missouri Library Association adopted a Reorganization Plan which allowed for a more adaptable organization. This plan required a new constitution and bylaws. It also created Councils, eliminating the earlier Divisions and Round Tables, and provided for a new Executive Board position, an appointed Budget and Finance Chair to replace the position of Treasurer. The position of Archivist was created as well. Therefore, the Handbook was completely revised to reflect the changes in the Constitution and Bylaws as well as the changes in the duties of the Officers of the Association and the structure of the Standing Committees. The Handbook Revision were approved by the Executive Board in 1988.

At the 1994 Annual Membership Meeting the MLA membership adopted new Bylaws to replace the Constitution and Bylaws. The new Bylaws reestablished the position of elected Treasurer to replace the appointed chair of the Budget and Finance Committee. Additionally, two new standing committees were established in the new Bylaws:the Membership Committee and the Publications Committee. In the new Bylaws the Intellectual Freedom Roundtable again became the Intellectual Freedom Committee.

At the 1999 Annual Membership Meeting the MLA membership adopted new Bylaws.