As we head into 2002, as is the custom, I would like to reflect on what we at the N.H. State Library have been doing day-to-day and what we are planning for the future. The year started off with the challenge of replacing our aging automation system. The State Library staff, along with a committee from the New Hampshire library community worked for more than two years to design a system that would meet the current and future needs of the State. Committee members Jennifer Bone, Tom Corbett, Art Bryan, Charles LeBlanc, Mary Russell, Theresa Paré, and Diane Callahan, developed specifications, held demonstrations of products by vendors and worked to involve the library community as much as possible. The request for proposals for the new union catalog was well developed and the responses reflected a serious effort on the part of the vendors to meet our needs. The Committee carefully reviewed the vendors' responses with a critical eye towards getting a system that would serve the libraries of New Hampshire and would grow as needs rise. The Committee analyzed the proposals submitted by vendors to determine which vendor was best able to meet our requirements. The Committee has recommended the State Library contract with Epixtech Corporation for our next statewide union catalog.

In order to pay for the new system we at the State Library decided early on to seek state funding. With the help of a number of librarians and library trustees we were able to make a strong case for a capital appropriation of $450,000 to purchase a new system. The support of the N.H. Library Association and the individual testimony before the Senate Capital Appropriations Committee by Mary Ann List of Amherst, Dianne Hathaway of Goffstown, and Lisa Riley of Hudson were critical in securing the funds necessary for the project.

In June of 2001, the State hired a full-time Youth Services Consultant, Ann Hoey. Ann has been out in the field working with library directors and children's librarians to provide knowledge and expertise to improve library services for young people. Ann has been a wonderful addition to the library staff; everyone enjoys working with her.

This year has seen a surge in the renovation and new construction of libraries. It is gratifying to have so many dedications and celebrations for libraries. I have attended a number of these events in the last twelve months; it is always enjoyable to see the pride town's people take in seeing a building project through to completion. There are lots more projects in the planning; I look forward to more dedication events celebrating community spirit.

The events of September 11th remain on all our minds. The heroic acts of the firefighters, police, emergency medical workers, and soldiers has given all Americans a renewed sense of pride in our country. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of those who lost loved ones as they face the New Year; their lives were dramatically changed by the unspeakable acts in New York, Washington, and Pennsylvania. We in the library community will continue giving people all the information they need to make reasoned judgements. The library remains the institution that Americans can turn to for the unbiased, unvarnished truth. I look forward to a good year for the New Hampshire library community as we begin the implementation of our new automation system and improve our services and programs to help libraries in New Hampshire.

This is the first electronic issue of Granite State Libraries. We hope you find it convenient to receive the State Library newsletter in this way. We are confident you will continue to find it informative. Publishing Granite State Libraries electronically enables us to reduce costs and get it to you faster.

The Staff of the New Hampshire State Library wishes you a healthy and productive New Year.

-Michael York, State Librarian