by Carolyn White, UNH-M

This year, members of the NH Library Association Academics Section focused on getting more academic librarians aware of and involved in the Section and on increasing communication among Academic members. In January 2001, a stakeholders meeting was held at the University of New Hampshire at Manchester Library. The goal of the meeting was to open up a discussion in which academic librarians from around the state, and from representative college and university libraries (public and private, two-year and four-year), could express their ideas about the future course of the Section and the role that the Section could play in their professional lives. Librarians at the meeting believed that the Section could provide a means of communicating with other academic librarians and could serve as a link between academic and public libraries.

The Academics Section sponsored two programs at the NHLA's Spring Conference 2001. Dr. Em Claire Knowles of Simmons College's Graduate School of Library and Information Science presented a program entitled Diversity: What's in it for me? Naomi Caldwell of the University of Rhode Island's Graduate School of Library and Information Studies discussed Native American resources and services.

The Academic Section now has a listserv, Academics-l, which will provide a communication channel for New Hampshire's academic librarians. The list will keep librarians informed about Academic events and will serve as a forum for discussions. To join the listserv, visit the following site: webster.state.nh.us/mailman/listinfo/academics-l. Once at the site, follow the directions to sign up.

The Academics Section is looking for people interested in being active members of the Section; we have program ideas for next year, and we'd love your input and any help you could provide. For information about Academics, to become involved in the Section, and for news about upcoming Academic events, please contact Carolyn White, (University of New Hampshire - Manchester) at 641-4172 or carolyn.white@unh.edu, or Becky Clerkin (N.H. Community Technical College, Stratham) at 772-1194 ext. 342 or rclerkin@tec.nh.us. Also, be sure to watch the messages on Academics-l for news and discussions.