Cascia Hall, Merrimack College, North Andover
Wednesday, November 13, 2002

The NMRLS membership enjoyed a stimulating presentation by David Weinberger. In addition to being quite funny, Dr. Weinberger sparked his audience to debate when he compared the future of libraries to that of the music publishing industry that is threatened by the Napster-like music trading sites. When the e-book matures and becomes user-friendly, will patrons stop visiting their libraries? Our keynote speaker, a former philosophy professor and comedy writer for Woody Allen, is heard as an NPR commentator on All Things Considered and Here and Now. His latest book, Small Pieces Loosely Joined, takes a look at how the Internet has changed all our lives. Visit his Web site for further information http://www.hyperorg.com/speaker/main.html.

On the business end, the meeting focused on budgetary issues. Doug Rendell, outgoing President, spoke about the library director as a resilient manager who can succeed despite setbacks and emergencies. I outlined the effects of recent budget cuts on services and discussed several new initiatives, e.g., the digital library and diversity Web site projects, and thanked the NMRLS staff for their commitment to customer service. Rob Maier, spoke about the MBLC legislative agenda (see Legislative Update). Brian Archambault, incoming President, called on the group to be ambassadors of NMRLS to the library community and to spread the word about what librarians do every day. He called on directors to use their positions to affect change within their libraries by encouraging and supporting their staff to participate in projects and on committees. Attendees approved the NMRLS Annual Report for last year and the Plan of Service & Budget for FY2004.

Doug Rendell thanked our Past President, Victoria Yablonsky, North Reading High School. He added that Vicki had done a wonderful job as NMRLS President and as an active contributor to both the Board and to Committees. He acknowledged, with appreciation, the work of Doris Gallant, Joseph Dionne (former director of the Haverhill Public Library and NMRLS Executive Board member), and Camilla Glynn (former Public Service Librarian at Salem State College and NMRLS Executive Board member. Doris Gallant, Swampscott HS, served three consecutive terms on the Board, as well as having been Chair of the Supplemental Deposit Collection Committee up until she left public library service. He also thanked Bridget Bennett, Memorial Hall Library, for her service as Chair of the Youth Services Committee. Susan Babb presented certificates of appreciation to 10 participants in the YS-Lead program.

New Executive Board Members and one Officer were elected. To view a current list of all Executive Board members & officers please visit: http://www.nmrls.org/about/board.shtml

Slate of Candidates