Dear New England Library Community,
As this season of state library conferences draws to a close, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of our state associations, committee members, volunteers, exhibitors and attendees for the immense hard work and dedication that went into planning and executing these fantastic events over the past few months.

The seamless execution of these conferences is a testament to the hard work and tireless dedication of the organizers and members who pour their time into supporting our profession. These state-level gatherings are essential to the health of our regional network. They provide an irreplaceable forum for librarians and paralibrarians across all sectors to come together, exchange groundbreaking ideas, and find renewed strength in professional camaraderie.

The New England Library Association (NELA) is proud to announce the recipient of the 2025 Emerson Greenway Award - Maine’s State Librarian, Lori Stockman. This is the highest award presented by NELA to a librarian who demonstrates distinguished service, innovation, leadership, and collaboration throughout the New England region. This year’s recipient has shown a high level of commitment, professionalism and dignity to the library profession in light of unprecedented challenges.

Lori’s work has positively impacted those around her. She has worked to strengthen communication across the region and build stronger systems, which many other state libraries have adopted. More than this, she advocates for intellectual freedom as well as legislation that impacts libraries throughout the region. Appointed Maine State Librarian in December 2022, Stockman has led efforts to strengthen statewide library networks, promote equitable access to information, and support innovation in rural and underserved communities. Before coming to Maine, she served as Assistant State Librarian at the New Hampshire State Library and spent 11 years as Director of the Baker Free Library in Bow, New Hampshire. Throughout her career, Lori has been active in professional leadership through the American Library Association, serving on the Committee on Legislation, the Intellectual Freedom & Advocacy Committee, and the ALA Policy Corps. Her work has focused on strengthening libraries as essential public institutions and ensuring that every resident, regardless of location, has access to high-quality information and resources. 

IFC Helpline

Did you know that IFC has a helpline?

The New England Intellectual Freedom Helpline connects librarians facing intellectual freedom challenges or issues to librarians from their home state who have volunteered to provide support and resources. Helpline coordinators who assign the cases will make every effort to match requestors to volunteers with similar library experience. Conversations between those seeking assistance and the volunteers is confidential. You may request to remain anonymous. Your case will be assigned and a volunteer will reach out soon.

IFC Helpline

Emerson Greenaway Award

Selection Criteria | Selection & Nomination Process | Past Recipients

The Emerson Greenaway Award is the New England Library Association’s award for distinguished service in librarianship. In 1988, NELA President Christine Kardokas established the “Great Librarian Award” to recognize the contributions of exceptional librarians. The first recipient to be honored for his outstanding achievements was Emerson Greenaway, an innovator in library organization and practice in the mid-twentieth century. Two years later, this regional tribute was renamed the Emerson Greenaway Award to honor the memory of its first recipient. It is presented annually, whenever there is a worthy candidate, at NELA’s Annual Conference.

[Bath, New Hampshire] – [March 21, 2025] – The New England Library Association (NELA) strongly opposes the Trump Administration's March 14th executive order to defund the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). Americans rely on public, school, and academic libraries to access knowledge and a wealth of resources. This action threatens essential funding for library programs and staff jobs that provide essential services such as: free access to information, educational opportunities, and digital resources—especially for underserved and rural communities.

Libraries are essential to our communities, offering free and equitable access to information, education, and technology. Defunding IMLS compromises literacy programs, workforce development, and access to technology that countless individuals rely on daily. We urge our members and the public to take action against this short-sighted executive order. Our libraries are an important piece of our American fabric. President John Adams said, "Let us tenderly and kindly cherish therefore, the means of knowledge. Let us dare to read, think, speak, and write."

NELA is pleased to announce an excellent slate of candidates for the positions of Vice-President/President Elect, Member-at-Large, and Secretary for the 2024 - 2025 Executive Board. All people with active NELA memberships should have received a ballot from NELA's official QuestionPro account. We have gotten feedback that some people have been finding it in their spam folder. If you have an active membership, and you have double-checked your spam folder, and you still are not seeing a ballot, please email Megan Bishop at [email protected].

Vice-President/President Elect | Member-at-Large | Secretary

Your NELLS 2024 Tier I: Emerging Leaders Cohort!

NELA is pleased to announce the following individuals who have been accepted into the New England Library Leadership Symposium for 2024. These individuals submitted applications that demonstrated a sincere interest in developing their leadership skills, and the potential to make a significant impact in the profession.

These are the documents (mind map and list of all resources) from the January ITS meet-up. We hope you can join us at the next In the Know session on March 14th. Bobbi Lee Slossar, Technology Librarian at the New Hampshire State Library, has volunteered to lead a presentation and discussion on the latest AI.

We are also still looking for state reps for most of New England to help guide ITS. We promise it won't be too onerous! We are also looking for future presenters for In the Know sessions. Please reach out to ITS chair, Beth Morrill ([email protected]), if you are interested or have any questions!

NETSL 2024 Annual Conference & Award for Excellence in Library Technical Services

 The theme for the 2024 New England Technical Services Librarians Conference is

If It’s Broke, Let’s Fix It: Open Dialogue Between Problem and Opportunity

Order HERE- Deadline: Fri, Jan, 26th

NELA See's Candy Storefront NELA

Join NELA in recognizing the annual Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR). TDOR is an annual observance on November 20 that honors the memory of transgender people whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence.

It started in Boston in 1999, when Gwendolyn Ann Smith organized a vigil to honor the memory of Rita Hester, a Black trans woman who was murdered in November 1998. Anti-trans stigma, denial of opportunity, and increased risk factors all contribute to a higher risk of violence toward trans people. Studies prove that there is a disproportionate risk of violence toward trans people of color, and especially trans women of color in particular. To honor the lives of people lost to anti-trans violence, it is vital to amplify the pressing need for more thorough and empathetic reporting of anti-trans violence in the criminal justice system and the media. As anti LGBTQ+ rhetoric and legislation in the U.S. continues to escalate, TDOR offers library workers the opportunity to reflect on services we can provide to the trans community. What can libraries do?

Janet McKenney

NELA is pleased to announce Janet McKenney as the 2023 Emerson Greenaway Award Recipient.

Janet McKenney is an exceptional librarian whose career has been dedicated to the advancement of library services in her adopted state of Maine, and, through her outstanding leadership and numerous collaborations, across New England and the country. An early adopter of technology, she possessed the vision and the drive to improve library services in Maine by bringing technology, connectivity and related support to libraries statewide, understanding that a robust internet connection could make a big difference for library services in isolated communities. Throughout her career, she worked tirelessly to support librarians and library staff in their adoption of technology and digital services and build a robust network for libraries. While her expertise was clearly that of a technologist, she approached it as a humanitarian, never forgetting that first and foremost technology serves people and that all people deserve to have access to current technology, reliable high speed Internet, and the skills to use both effectively.

Incoming Vice-President/President Elect - Jennifer He | Incoming Member-at-Large - Aaron Coutu | Current & Incoming Treasurer - Bernie Prochnik

Incoming Vice-President/President Elect - Jennifer He

Jennifer has been a member of NELA since 2018, where she currently serves as chair of the ITS section. She is passionate about helping librarians incorporate technology into their work to enhance their productivity. She has led conferences and “In the Know” sessions on topics such as designing websites, chatbot integration, digital makerspaces, multilingual translation tools, Google Analytics, social media automation tools, and accessibility and usability standards. During her latest presentation, Jennifer shared insights on how the use of AI chat, image, and video generators can assist librarians in enhancing their work.

Did you know that one of the rewards of having an active NELA membership is being able to participate in NELA's Mentor/Mentee Program? Joining NELA's list of available mentors is a great way to volunteer at your own pace. NELA will always respect a mentor's decision if they decide they are unable to accept a mentee request.

We are also excited to be launching the *NEW* NELA Mentor/Mentee Training Workshops in September. These free, virtual workshops are a requirement to participate in the mentor/mentee program. We will be holding two mentee training sessions and two mentor training sessions. The workshop dates and times are below. You only need to attend ONE session.

Calling All Superheroes!

Submit Your Nomination for the 2023 Emerson Greenaway Award

NEW Deadline: Aug. 18th

The Emerson Greenaway Award is the New England Library Association’s award for distinguished service in librarianship. In 1988, NELA President Christine Kardokas established the “Great Librarian Award” to recognize the contributions of exceptional librarians. The first recipient to be honored for his outstanding achievements was Emerson Greenaway, an innovator in library organization and practice in the mid-twentieth century. Two years later, this regional tribute was renamed the Emerson Greenaway Award to honor the memory of its first recipient. It is presented annually, whenever there is a worthy candidate, at NELA’s Annual Conference. A list of past recipients can be found HERE.

It's a bird...it's a place...no wait, it is a bird! It's NELA's Early Bird Registration!

Early bird registration is now open! Learn more about all things #NELA2023 and register today!

#NELA2023

DUE DATE: 7/7/23

These grants provide financial assistance to NELA members for conferences, courses, institutes, seminars or other study opportunities not leading to a degree, including NELA programs. The award may subsidize up to a maximum of $1,000. Retrospective awards are allowed. Applicants must be a NELA member.

These awards cover any continuing education you have taken since January 1, 2023 through now, or that you plan to take from now through December 31, 2023. Applications are due July 7, 2023.

GRANT APPLICATION

For more information, or if you have questions, contact Lauren Mandel, Chair of the NELA Educational Assistance Committee at [email protected].