Technical Reports and Monographs in Music Librarianship Editor Annual Report 2023

submitted by Anna Kijas

Current Roster

  • Anna Kijas, editor
  • Bonnie L. Finn, editorial board (2024)
  • Lisa K. Hooper, editorial board (2024)
  • Nurhak Tuncer, editorial board (2024)

List of Previous Goals and Progress Made

  • 1. Contribute to the discussion with the Publications Committee and MLA editors to review how to best support MLA’s strategy through our publications.
    • Progress made: participated in conversations with A-R editions, MLA editors, and Publications Committee during 2023 to discuss how the three series differ, if there is any opportunity for publishing in different formats (open-access, shorter volumes, etc.), and to consider the future sustainability of the series.
    • Goal Area 1: Organize Strategically; Objective 1.4: Review MLA’s publications and determine if these publications support MLA’s strategy. Consider if other publications (Ex. Music Reference Services Quarterly) should be under the auspices of MLA.
  • 2. Collaborate with series editors to create a resource that will support authors throughout the publishing process.
    • Progress made: participated in initial discussions and drafting of resource used for a workshop to support authors with developing a book proposal. Series editors (Zeck and Kuyper-Rushing) continue to work on a resource for authors.
    • Goal Area 2: Develop and Retain Membership; Objective 2.3: Explore educational and networking opportunities beyond annual and chapter conferences. Sustain member contact throughout the year. Formalize more opportunities to meet virtually and more frequently.
  • 3. Create synchronous and asynchronous opportunities for series editors to meet and be transparent about the publishing process with potential authors, especially for early-career or first-time authors who may also be members of underrepresented groups.
  • 4. Work with the editorial board to identify potential authors with diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
  • 5. Collaborate with the editorial board when reviewing proposals and manuscripts in order to grow expertise and potential for future editor openings.
    • Progress made on Goals 3-5: The series editors are working on creating more opportunities to meet with potential authors. We have met individually with potential authors, but one of our aims is to create several workshops or programs to support authors. Editorial board participated in the review of the most recent book manuscript and their feedback was incorporated into copy editing of manuscript and provided for author’s consideration.
    • Goal Area 3: Cultivate Inclusivity

List of Future Goals

  • 1. Contribute to the discussion with the Publications Committee and MLA editors to review how to best support MLA’s strategy through our publications.
    • Goal Area 1: Organize Strategically; Objective 1.4: Review MLA’s publications and determine if these publications support MLA’s strategy. Consider if other publications (Ex. Music Reference Services Quarterly) should be under the auspices of MLA.
  • 2. Collaborate with series editors to create a resource that will support authors throughout the publishing process.
    • Goal Area 2: Develop and Retain Membership; Objective 2.3: Explore educational and networking opportunities beyond annual and chapter conferences. Sustain member contact throughout the year. Formalize more opportunities to meet virtually and more frequently.
  • 3. Create synchronous and asynchronous opportunities for series editors to meet and be transparent about the publishing process with potential authors, especially for early-career or first-time authors who may also be members of underrepresented groups.
    • Goal Area 3: Cultivate Inclusivity
  • 4. Work with the editorial board to identify potential authors with diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
    • Goal Area 3: Cultivate Inclusivity
  • 5. Collaborate with the editorial board when reviewing proposals and manuscripts in order to grow expertise and potential for future editor openings
    • Goal Area 3: Cultivate Inclusivity