Coming Soon for Spring 2024!

March

March 14th
"In the Know" with ITS
Virtual Meet-Up

Time: 10:00am
Topic: Discussion on the Latest AI
Facilitator: Bobbi Lee Slossar, Technology Librarian, New Hampshire State Librarian

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March 15th
Conversations with IFC
Virtual Meet-Up







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In the Know with ITS: Keeping Up with Emerging Technology

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 Nomination

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

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#LibraryLoversDay Educational Assistance Fundraiser

Order HERE- Deadline: Fri, Jan, 26th

Winter Fundraiser for Educational Assistance

NELA See's Candy Storefront NELA

Transgender Remembrance Day

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?

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2023 Emerson Greenaway Award Recipient

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.

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Meet NELA's Newest Superheros!


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.

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*NEW* NELA Mentor/Mentee Training Workshops!

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.

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EXTENDED-Seeking 2023 Emerson Greenaway Award Nominations

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.


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#NELA2023: Early Bird Registration Open

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

Submit Applications for NELA's 2023 Continuing Education Grants

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].

POSTPONED - NERTCL Conference

NERTCL (New England Roundtable of Teen & Children's Librarians) has decided to postpone the spring event and is looking at a likely September date, exact date TBD. Please stay tuned for more details to come in the coming months! If you have any program ideas or questions now, please feel free to reach out to NERTCL Chair, Kylie Woodmansee, [email protected].

Meet Your '23-'24 Candidates for NELA's Executive Board

NELA is pleased to announce an excellent slate of candidates for the positions of Vice-President/President Elect, Member-at-Large, and Treasurer for the 2023 - 2024 Executive Board. All people with active NELA memberships should have received a ballot from NELA's official QuestionPro account on Tuesday, June 13th. 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].


Candidates for Vice-President/President Elect

Jennifer He | Lee Shaw


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.

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Deadline Extension for Proposal Submissions for #NELA2023

Bam! Kapow!

Are you feeling re-charged after attending your state conference? Great news! We've extended the deadline to submit a proposal for #NELA2023!

NEW Deadline: June 7th

Submit Today

ITS 2023 Virtual Conference - Future of Library Tech

Learn More & Register Today

Year Round Educational Assistance Fundraiser

Summer Reading is Almost Here!
Here are 6 benefits of reading (while eating chocolate).
NELA's See's Candies Storefront

NERTCL Seeking Proposals for June Event

NERTCL Conference: TikTalk: Find Your Niche (Virtual)

Seeking Proposals

Event Date: June 30th, 10:00am - 2:00pm
Submission Deadline: May 26th

NERTCL is looking for presentations for our June Professional Development event! This year we are looking for presentations about using social media as an outreach tool and how libraries and librarians are using social media tools to help reach their patrons. We are also accepting applications on any fun, interesting, or unique outreach program that has worked for your library that you are willing to share. The event will be held virtually on June 30th and you will be notified of your presentation time after applications close May 26th 2023. Please send any questions you may have to the NERTCL Chair, Kylie Woodmansee, [email protected].

Submit Proposal

FREE Mentor/Mentee Program Q&A Session

Register Today

As a NELA member, did you know that you can be mentored? You can also be a mentor! The NELA Mentor/Mentee Program is designed to provide mentoring opportunities to librarians and paraprofessionals of diverse needs from various library fields and geographic locations. We make every effort to match participants with mentors who share stated interests.

We’re holding a Q&A Session about the Mentor/Mentee Program on Thursday, May 11th, 1:00pm - 2:00pm EST. This session will be led by the Membership Committee. This is a FREE Q&A opportunity for NELA members who are interested in either being a mentee or becoming a mentor to learn more about the program. The Q&A will feature Mentor RI Consultant, Chris Margadonna, who will lead mentor/mentee training workshops for program participants in September. You’ll have the opportunity to ask Chris questions about mentoring and the training workshops.

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2023 NELLS Cohort Announcement

Your NELLS 2023 Tier II: Mid-Career Leadership Cohort!

NELA is pleased to announce the following individuals who have been accepted into the New England Library Leadership Symposium for 2023. 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.


 Name Corrections Below*

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