The Middle East Librarians Association was established in November 1972 at the sixth annual meeting of MESA (Middle East Studies Association), by 17 librarians (our “founding fathers and mothers”). Before this date there had indeed been specialist librarians whose principal concern was the development of library collections in support of research and teaching. But these 17 pioneers saw, five years after the establishment of MESA, that professionals devoted to the development of library collections for study and teaching about the Middle East needed to share information among themselves.

Soon after that date the first issue of MELA Notes, the association’s professional journal, was published. In later years, MELA has also established awards to recognize professional achievement over a lifetime and to support the development of young professionals interested in a career in Middle East librarianship. MELA now consists of approximately seventy members representing over 50 institutions from all over the world. MELA’s annual meeting takes place in conjunction with MESA, generally two days before, allowing MELA members who are also members of MESA to attend the annual meeting.

President: Anaïs Salamon
Secretary: William Kopycki 

Membership - Annual Dues
Individual/Institutional/Foreign Members: $50
Lifetime Membership: $600

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