We had a great turnout for the November 19th NMRLS Annual Meeting at the Nevins Memorial Library in Methuen. Thanks to Krista McLeod, Director, for arranging the excellent facilities and thanks to everyone who joined us.

Brian Archambault, NMRLS President and Director of the Lawrence Law Library, turned over the gavel to incoming President, Becky Herrmann, Director of the Chelmsford Public Library. Brian also recognized the contributions of outgoing Executive Board member Valerie Diggs (Chelmsford Public Schools) and outgoing Past President, Doug Rendell (Peabody Institute Library, Danvers) . Doug will be staying on as an at-large member.

The membership approved a number of recommendations, including a new slate of officers.

New Officers:

Vice President/President Elect	Barbara Lachance Merrimack College, North Andover
Secretary	Sue Ellen Holmes Stevens Memorial Library, North Andover
Treasurer	Deborah Froggatt Memorial Middle School, Beverly

Executive Board Members (Elected and Re-elected*):

Nancy George	Salem State College
Doug Rendell*	Peabody Institute Library, Danvers
Tom Scully*	Beverly Public Library
Ann Tomes*	Beverly Hospital
Elisabeth Tully	Phillips Academy, Andover

Click for a full roster at http://www.nmrls.org/about/board.shtml

The Plan of Service and Budget for FY 2005 was approved. While the budget is based on current funding levels we learned that, in the current state budget situation, level funding is not assured. Library funding is likely to be reduced as the administration seeks ways to balance the budget. Last year library funding was at risk and library advocates were successful at stemming the tide to prevent major cuts.

We have been compelled to prioritize over the past year because of cuts last year; changes were made based on input from members. We need to hear from you to allow us to decide on priorities that are in the best interests of member libraries. Your voice will be heard when you respond to surveys, workshop evaluations, or contact us with your thoughts and suggestions, and when you volunteer to serve on Committees and the Executive Board.

This prioritizing will continue as the fallout from budget reductions continues to affect NMRLS services. It is likely that we will need to cancel yet another database title to balance our own budget. The NMRLS staff has worked hard to identify ways to assist members during these trying economic times. We have added content to our web site to enhance access to information and the number of visitors to the site continues to rise (see chart above). On-site training and consulting have expanded to bring services to you. Staff is identifying grant opportunities for member libraries. NMRLS delivery service has improved and been expanded and has grown to handle over one and one-half million items per year (see chart at right).

Rob Maier, Director of the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, thanked the library community for the strong and vocal support for library funding. He noted that continued support is needed in the coming year from some 2,500 trustees and 61,000 friends of libraries in the Commonwealth.

Keynote Speaker, Keith Fiels, Executive Director of the American Library Association, was warmly welcomed by the membership. Keith discussed challenges to librarians, libraries, and ALA, and encouraged librarians to set an example to promote diversity, to preserve our first amendment rights and keep information free, and to advocate effectively for libraries that educate and provide literacy and early learning opportunities to all.