2014 – Be Bold. Libraries in the Center Ring.

We would like to thank the sponsors of the 2014 New England Library Association conference held in Boxborough, MA. Without your support conference would not be possible. Adtech Systems BiblioBoard Boopsie for Libraries Fitting Fitness In The Giant Game Co. Holiday Inn, Boxborough, MA Lorri Elton, Graphic Designer Lyrasis Northeast Document Conservation Center Photo Op […]

Our conference bloggers have been working hard to submit their notes from the programs they attended. Miss a session? Lost your notes? Check out the conference blog for the latest in conference program summaries and updates at http://nelib.org/category/nela2014/.

On Monday, October 20, 2014, the New England Library Association announced Mary Ann List as the recipient of this year’s Emerson Greenaway Award. Deborah Kelsey, NELA Past President presented the award with the following speech: In 1998 the New England Library Association President established the “Great Librarian Award” to recognize the contributions of exceptional librarians. […]

Stand Up and Shout: The Youngish Leader on Changing Direction, Zach Newell and Peter Struzziero (Monday, 4:30pm) Peter and Zach presented a polished talk on some of the challenges of being a young leader in libraries. Peter is the director of the Winthrop Public Library (MA), and Zach is the Humanities Librarian at Salem State […]

Mixing It Up for Millennials: Library Programming for 20- and 30-Somethings  (Monday, 11am) In this panel presentation, three librarians shared their experiences creating library programs to attract that elusive 20s-30s age group. Carol Luers Eyman from the Nashua Public Library (NH) presented “A Night Out for 20-Somethings,” an after-hours event at the library where 20-somethings […]

Intellectual Freedom Committee (IFC) Keynote: Consent of the Networked: The Worldwide Struggle for Internet Freedom, Rebecca MacKinnon (Monday, 8:30am) MacKinnon pointed to many excellent resources during her presentation (see links below), but I’ll try to summarize a few of her key points. MacKinnon observed that “technology doesn’t obey borders.” Google and Facebook are the two most […]

You’ve been in the same position for years, and it’s time for a change. — You’ve been working in a field other than librarianship and need to make yourself marketable.  —  You’re fresh out of library school and looking for your first professional position. You see the posting for your dream job. You have to […]

Attend this session on Monday, October 20, 2014 from 2:00pm-3:15pm as Mary Wilkins Jordan, Assistant Professor at Simmons College, takes you on a journey of the Lewis and Clark Trail.  Mary visited libraries all along the way to find out the amazing, interesting, and unique things happening everywhere! She will share details of the visits, […]

What could be more fun than catching up with colleagues after a day of conference over BBQ and ice cream? Spinning the Wheel of Fortune for a chance to win and enjoying The Giant Game Co.’s oversized games like Scrabble, Connect Four, and Jenga! Join us Sunday evening at 7pm for a BBQ dinner! Meal […]

Whether you can make our Sunday night BBQ dinner or are dining out, be sure to come back at 7:30 PM for our NELA After Dark Game Night & Fundraiser.  Admission to the games is free and open to all though those wishing to play the games will need to purchase tickets (1 for $1; 15 […]

Think it’s just public librarians that get to have all the fun? Not so! The Academic Libraries Section is proud to host Professor Mary Wilkins Jordan’s session on “Library Corps of Adventure! Looking at Libraries Across the Lewis & Clark Trail.” This presentation will detail her experience as a modern day explorer of libraries (both […]

If you are… a library school student, recent graduate, librarian, or paraprofessional interested in meeting potential employers in the library field OR a library department head or administrator with full-time, part-time and/or internship hiring needs interested in meeting job seekers to discuss employment opportunities in your library …visit one of the Career Mixers in the […]

We have an amazing line up of authors speaking at our Monday and Tuesday meals at conference this year. The featured speaker at the NERTCL Luncheon on Monday, October 20 will be Peter Reynolds.  Peter is  a New York Times Best Selling author and is known for his quirky illustration as seen in the Judy […]

Come join us on Monday, October 20, 2014 at 11:00am as the Digital Public Library of America Executive Director, Dan Cohen, will present highlights from DPLA’s first 18 months bringing together the country’s collections, and will also discuss what’s to come for the young project and organization. Dan Cohen is the Founding Executive Director of […]

Whether you’re hiring or hunting, visit the Job Center at the Annual Conference. Sunday and Monday programming includes: Resume Review Career Mixers BiblioTemps Demo Cover Letters that Open Doors Career Resources We look forward to seeing you there!

I enjoy attending library conferences for three reasons. The first is the knowledge. Conferences give us the opportunity to learn about programs, experiences, and ideas from other libraries. The second is the energy. I always leave feeling excited and motivated to return to work. The final reason is the people. Conferences are a great place […]

This year’s evening banquet has switched to Monday night. We will be welcoming radio personality and author of the recent publication, Fifty Shades of Radio-True Stories of a Morning Radio Guy Being Wired, Tired and Fired, Mike Morin. Mike will share tales of his experiences during his 43 years as a radio personality and how […]

It’s 2014 friends.  It’s time to bring your libraries up to code.  Time to start actively welcoming your LGBT patrons.  We’ve young adults from the Stonewall Center in Amherst, MA to come and tell you what they’d like from their local libraries and towns. From their mouths to your ears!  Learn how you can make your […]

Ever wish you could tell a better story?  Join the Pride Alliance section for an informative workshop on the art of storytelling presented by Norah Dooley of massmouth, inc. Storytelling requires skill and preparation, just like hitting the right notes in a compelling presentation.  And, as a bonus, we’re archiving personal stories related to the queer experience in […]

Wake up Tuesday morning at conference with our NERTCL sponsored Guerilla Storytime! We’ll have different topics and questions (such as what to do about cell phone usage or great songs to use as a goodbye song or what to do if everyone has the wiggles!) Anyone and everyone can participate if they have ideas, songs, […]

Juggling technology, teens and traditionalists, Dr. Marc Boots-Ebenfield, Director for the Center for Teaching Innovation at Salem State University in Salem, MA, has directed language labs, new media centers and centers for teaching innovation. In each case he has juggled the needs of students, administrators and faculty. In this talk, on Monday, October 20 at […]

Has this new wave of hands-on programming called “Makerspaces” peaked your interest yet? From knitting areas, to creativity labs, learn how to get started.  A panel of librarians from different MA libraries discuss the successes and challenges involved in getting started; including the planning, grant writing, sustainability, policies involved. Smaller budget? Learn some simpler versions […]

Many libraries are frequently being asked to host events for self-published authors or to add their books to library collections. It can be difficult to handle these requests. NERTCL’s panel of librarians, including Adult Services Librarian Kelley Rae Unger, Peabody Institute Library, Peabody, MA, Senior Collection Specialist Joan Hansen, Denver Public Library, Denver, CO and […]

Todd Maki of Photo Op Photography will be offering a fantastic deal for attendees of this year’s annual conference. With packages starting at $30, you have the opportunity to pose for professional portraits. Several backgrounds are available and custom colors can be added to match your library brand. Be sure to visit Todd in the […]

Celebrate Creativity,Courage & Collaboration on International Dot Day this September 15. An International Dot Day celebration can be whatever you want it to be: a 30-minute exploration with art supplies, a week-long series of classroom activities, a year-long theme for your classroom, school, or district. There have even been special programs at local libraries, children’s […]