Launched in April 2000, the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) is the lead strategic agency for museums, libraries and archives in England. Its mission is to connect people and change lives through museums, libraries and archives.

MLA is a Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB), sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). Its strategic aims are (i) to increase and sustain participation; (ii) to put museums, libraries and archives at the heart of national, regional and local life; (iii) to establish a world class and sustainable sector and put it on the best footing for the future; and (iv) to lead sector strategy and policy development

To do all this MLA works in partnership and through collaboration with government departments, national and international organisations, and with umbrella bodies and other NDPBs and development agencies.

MLA works with nine Regional MLAs as its key strategic partners in the English regions, and also works closely with its equivalent bodies in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland .

The MLA Board approved the move to form the MLA Partnership at its meeting on 20 July 2005, after consultation with Regional Boards endorsed the recommendation for a Partnership based on closer governance arrangements. This Partnership emphasises the mutual sense of purpose between MLA and its Regional Agencies and unites MLA, nationally and regionally, into a shared agenda through a single corporate plan .

MLA funds research, development and capacity building to support museums, archives and libraries in line with its Operational and Strategic Plan and key objectives.