Welcome to NELA!

The New England Library Association has for 45 years provided organizational and educational support for its member librarians from our six "down east" states.

Download the NELA membership brochure
(PDF format, requires Adobe Reader)

Join NELA!

It's easy with secure online registration and your credit card, or
you can print a registration form and mail it with your check.

ITS Spring Program is June 12

04/30/2008

NELA's ITS (Information Technology Section) presents its Spring Program, "Library-wide IT Proficiencies" on June 12 at Bryant University, Smithfield RI.

Details and Registration

NETSL Conference Materials Available

04/08/2008

Handouts, PowerPoints, and other materials from NETSL's Spring Conference are available for download.

• Conference program and links to materials
• NETSL Award for Excellence in Technical Services

Educational Assistance Scholarships Available

02/13/2008

NELA is pleased to announce that the 2008 scholarship program is underway.   These scholarships are open to students pursuing a Master's Degree in Library Science.

• Scholarship Details
• Application Form

Greenaway Award Recommendations

02/05/2008

The New England Library Association is now accepting recommendations for the Emerson Greenaway Distinguished Service Award for Librarianship, to be given at the Annual Conference this fall. Nominees for this award should have made or be making a major contribution to the field of librarianship in New England, such as:

1. Development of outstanding services in a field of expertise, such as administration, reference services, technical services, children's services,
2. Involvement with developing library cooperation in New England,
3. Outstanding leadership in the field.

If you know someone who you would like to recommend for this award, consult the complete details regarding the selection criteria and nomination process.

Recommendations are due by May 30, 2008.

• Details and application

NELA 2007 Resources Available

10/17/2007

NELA's Annual Conference was held this past October 14-16 in Sturbridge MA.

• Conference blog
• Photos
• Program Materials

First-time Conference Attendees Hosted

11/25/2007

Did you know that NELA paid some people to attend their first Annual Conference? That's right – the following lucky people each received a $150 first-time attendee grant, just by checking the box on the registration form:

• CT, Sherry Gelbwasser
• MA, Amy Andreasson
• ME, Brooke Faulkner
• NH, Sara Weinberg
• RI, Angela Kneeland
• VT, Joe Toth

So if you haven't attended an Annual Conference yet, keep it in mind for next year, and we might pay you to attend!

ALA Spectrum Scholars from New England

07/01/2007

Congratulations to this year's ALA Spectrum Scholars from New England. We are very pleased to be home to seven promising librarians, as honored by the American Library Association:

• Angela Bonds, Simmons College
• Tina Chan, Simmons College
• Lulu Chen, Simmons College
• Henrique B. Coelho, Simmons College
• Akunna Eneh, Simmons College (also selected for a NELA scholarship this year)
• Joi Sorensen, Southern Connecticut State University
• Michael Sean Creedon, Syracuse University (New England resident)

NELA also awards a small matching grant to each of these students. We wish them the best in their studies and their future as librarians.

"John Doe" Librarians are Recipients of Intellectual Freedom Award

10/15/2007

The Intellectual Freedom Committee (IFC) of the New England Library Association presented the 2007 ProQuest/SIRS Intellectual Freedom Award of New England to the Connecticut "John Doe" librarians Janet Nocek, Barbara Bailey, Peter Chase, and George Christian on October 14, 2007 during NELA 2007. With great legal and personal risk to themselves the Connecticut "Joe Doe" librarians challenged the nondisclosure provisions of the NSL (National Security Letters) authorized under the USA Patriot Act because they believe that libraries in a democratic society must be a place where people can come to inform themselves on everything from "breast cancer to Wahabism," without fear that the government or police are looking over their shoulders.

The biennial award, sponsored by ProQuest/SIRS, recognizes the contribution of a group or individual who has actively promoted intellectual freedom in New England. The IFC is responsible for selecting the recipient. The person or group chosen receives a plaque commemorating the award and a check for $500. The Connecticut "Joe Doe" librarians have decided to donate the $500 to Library Connection Incorporated.

Educational Assistance Scholarships for 2007

05/01/2007

NELA's Educational Assistance Committee is pleased to announce the Graduate study scholarship winners for 2007:

Full-time students receiving $2000 scholarships:

• Akunna Eneh, a student at Simmons College in Boston, hopes to encourage young people to be lifelong learners, and she wants to work where she can reach out to those who may not yet have access to adequate library service.
• Christina Wolfskehl, a student at the Univ. of Rhode Island (URI), has many years of experience as a paraprofessional in academic libraries, and is eager to return to a library and "deliver superior assistance" after completing her degree.

Part-time students receiving $1000 scholarships:

• Patricia Fickett, a distance education student at the Univ. of Wisconsin., Milwaukee, currently works in a small New Hampshire public library, and has already enriched services there as a direct result of her education.
• Alice Campbell, another URI student, sees a wide variety of opportunities for librarians, and looks forward to serving a diverse community, most likely in a public or academic setting.

Staples Business Advantage Program

03/07/2008

The NELA/Staples Business Advantage Program, which was launched in August, 2005, is a member benefit which NELA provides to help members leverage their group purchasing power.

• Details of the Staples Business Advantage program