MLN pioneered the introduction of contemporary continental criticism into American scholarship. Critical studies in the modern languages--Italian, Hispanic, German, French--and recent work in comparative literature are the basis for articles and notes in MLN. Four single-language issues and one comparative literature issue are published each year.

Includes, beginning Sept. 15, 1954 (and on the 15th of each month, Sept.-May) a special section: School library journal, ISSN 0000-0035, (called Junior libraries, 1954-May 1961). Also issued separately.