The Association for Library Trustee and Advocates, a Division of ALA, once again is honoring library advocates. This is the second ALA /ALTA National Advocacy honor roll. Recognized in the first honor roll from New Hampshire were Shirley Gray Adamovich, Patricia Skinner, Donald Vincent and F. MabelWinchell.
The purpose of the National Advocacy Honor Roll is to identify and celebrate those individuals and groups who have actively supported and strengthened library services at the local, state or national levels. The Honorees will be advocates who have led major initiatives or sustained efforts to enhance library development and/or public awareness. Their accomplishments should be noteworthy and provide models for others who wish to expand advocacy efforts. Although librarians may be selected for the Honor Roll, states are encouraged to include advocates outside the profession as well. Both individuals and groups may be selected.
Advocates come from all walks of life and contribute in very different ways. Listed below are some examples to assist in identifying who might be selected for this honor.
Who is eligible? Consider nominees from the Following "communities"
*THE LIBRARY COMMUNITY: trustees, friends groups, library association, state library agencies, librarians and staff from all types of libraries, library schools;
*THE BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL COMMUNITY: business, corporations, media associations, not-for-profit organizations, research centers;
*THE POLITICAL AND PUBLIC SERVICE COMMUNITY: elected officials, citizens groups, library coalitions, educators;
*THE PHILANTHROPIC COMMUNITY: foundations, private donors, trusts.
What type of advocacy efforts should be considered? Some examples:
*Led efforts to pass legislation to facilitate development of all types of libraries
*Led successful efforts to build and equip libraries
*Led successful initiatives to enhance library programs and services
*Led or sponsored efforts to create greater awareness of and support for libraries
*Provided leadership in training advocates for libraries
*Completed research to aid libraries in serving and communicating with their constituents
*Established coalitions to advocate for library issues
Other types of library advocacy are eligible for the Honor Roll. Those listed above are illustrative only.
Please submit the name of the people, organizations, corporations etc. from New Hampshire that you believe have been strong advocates for libraries (local, state, national).
Please send your nominee(s), with a reason why you feel this person, organization, corporation, etc., should be one of the three New Hampshire Library advocates honored via email to: Michael York, State Librarian myork@library.state.nh.us or call (603) 271 2397.
New NHSL e-mail addresses: In the coming months, NHSL staff are scheduled to get new e-mail addresses. If you see messages beginning to come from (fill in name here)@dcr.nh.gov they should be legitimate! By the way - dcr is for Department of Cultural Resources!
The Mooseplate conservation grant application deadline is May 2, 2005. Application information is on our website at www.nh.gov/nhsl/services/librarians/moose. If you have any questions, please call Janet Ecklund at 271-2393 to talk about a grant project.
Come to a Children's Book Review at the Jaffrey Public Library and preview new picture books as well as children's and YA fiction and nonfiction. The Book Review will be held the following dates and times: Thursday, April 14 from 1:00 pm to 8:00 pm; Friday, April 15 from 11:00 am to 5:30 pm; Saturday, April 16 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm; and on Monday, April 18 from 11am to 5:30 pm. The Jaffrey Public Library is located at 38 Main Street in Jaffrey. For more information, contact Ann Hoey.
Kids, Books and the Arts 2005 library grant applications have gone out to all public libraries in mid-March. The applications are also online at www.nh.gov/nhsl/KBA05librarygrantappl.doc. Libraries can apply for grants to bring performers to their libraries for summer 2005.
The program for the New Hampshire Libraries Conference on May 12 and May 13, 2005 is on the web at http://nhlibconf.org/. Check out the programs you want to attend, print off the registration, and learn how to make hotel reservations.
The theme: A Great State of Libraries honors the work of all librarians. The two day conference begins on Thursday, May 12th at 9 am with the keynote speaker, Jessamyn West, an activist and progressive librarian. Jessamyn's weblog has been a mainstream awareness of censorship and privacy issues involving libraries. The luncheon speaker is the renowned Tim Sample, so be prepared to laugh yourself into good health. The evening dinner speaker is Willem Lange, the carpenter, teacher, story-teller and commentator you have heard on public radio. His jovial and insightful views of our New England life will end the day in serene bliss. Friday's luncheon speaker is Sy Montgomery, writer for children and adults on nature and eco-conscience will inspire and warm the heart.
This year the conference will be held at the Center of New Hampshire in Manchester. Next year there will not be a joint conference to allow librarians to attend the public library meeting in Boston. NHEMA is working on a school library media conference to be held at Plymouth State University. The following year, 2007, NHLA and NHEMA will again be coordinating a joint conference.
The 2004 NH Public Library Annual Report (NHPLAR) is officially open. The report is due no later than April 18, 2005. For the second year, the report is in the form of an internet survey. Please go online to www.nh.gov/nhsl/lds/public_library_stats.html for instructions and a link to the report website. Watch this same website for updated information. I f you have questions or trouble accessing the survey on the internet, please cal Sue Palmatier or Tom Ladd at (800) 462-1726 (NH only) or e-mail one of us at spalmatier@library.state.nh.us or tladd@library.state.nh.us.
NHSL Orientation is scheduled for 02 May. Registration for this free three-hour opportunity to learn about NHSL services to you and your library is open on the website www.nh.gov/nhsl/training/modules.
Spring Modular courses have been announced: "Cataloging Overview" in Effingham; "The Reference Interview" in Hanover; "Children and Youth Services Overview" in Franklin; "Programming for Children" in Hancock. Course details and registration form are on the website: www.nh.gov/nhsl/training/modules.
"WebJunction New Hampshire" will shortly be the newest web service from the NH State Library for New Hampshire libraries.
The national online community for libraries, WebJunction (http://webjunction.org) is where library staff meet to share ideas, solve problems, take online courses – and have fun. Funded for the first three years by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, WebJunction is now expanding to include state affiliates funded through state library agencies.
The NH State Library is excited to be in the 2nd group of states to set up their own affiliate site – WebJunction New Hampshire – which should debut on the web by early Summer 2005.
WebJunction New Hampshire will be a mix of the great opportunities available nationally and locally developed and delivered resources such as:
- Continuing Education Opportunities and Online tutorials;
- National and NH-specific discussion forums;
- Resources to help get the job done, e.g.
- Technology planning
- Policy development
- Buying hardware and software
- Marketing the library
- Training materials
- Local and national library statistics
If you haven’t explored the current WebJunction Global (http://webjunction.org), try it now. Registration is free (and does not result in a lot of junk e-mail). You can participate in national discussions and sample much of the content for free. Some courses and tutorials have a fee now, so wait until our NH affiliate is up, and we will have many of them for free! For more information, contact Tom Ladd.
