News from

Annual Conference - MLA is Growing Communities
May 6 - 9, 2008, at the SeaCrest Resort & Conference Center, Falmouth, MA

The MLA Conference Committee has pulled out all the stops to deliver an annual conference that just keeps getting better! This year sees formal partnerships with ACRL/New England, the Cooperative Libraries Association and the Massachusetts School Library Association to develop programming to appeal to libraries of all types in Massachusetts.

For more information, please visit <http://www.masslib.org/conference/2008Conference/index.htm>

Are you a first-time Massachusetts Library Association Conference attendee? There are scholarships available to attend the 2008 MLA Conference, May 7-9 in Falmouth. See details at: http://www.masslib.org/conference/2008Conference/scholarship.htm

________________________________________

First Ever Drill Cart Team Competition

Be part of the first 8 teams to compete in the first Massachusetts Library Association Book Cart Drill Team Competition! Find out more and apply at <http://www.masslib.org/conference/2008Conference/PDFs/bcdtRulesGuidelinesApplication.pdf>

________________________________________

MLA Paralibrarian Section 5th Annual Awards

For "OUTSTANDING Paralibrarian of the Year", take a moment to think about a non-MLS colleague who …

Consistently goes beyond the limits of the job title

Carries their passion beyond the physical building into the community and state level

Exemplifies the ideal that true professionalism is not limited to professional librarians

Exhibits adaptability, takes initiative and inspires others

Is a problem solver with a can-do, professional attitude

Seeks educational opportunities

Thinks outside the box

The "Paralibrarian Advocate of the Year" award is for a director, trustee, supervisor, colleague, paralibrarian or anyone else who …..

Knows the value of paralibrarians in our libraries

Works to increase visibility and opportunities for non-MLS staff

Demonstrates outstanding support for paralibrarians

If you know someone who meets these criteria, why not honor them with a nomination for one of these awards? Just let us know why this person is deserving of the award.

Nominations can be submitted on-line at , by email or postal mail to:

Denise Faucher
Worcester Public Library
3 Salem Square
Worcester, MA 01608
<dfaucher@cwmars.org>

To fill out the form online, please visit: <http://www.masslib.org/paralibrarian/2008AwardNominationForm.html>

________________________________________

MLA has moved!

The Massachusetts Library Association is managed by our Executive Manager, Elizabeth Hacala. She can be reached at our main office at:

Massachusetts Library Association
Elizabeth Hacala
PO Box 535
Bedford, MA 01730
phone: 781-275-7729
fax: 781-998-0393
<mlaoffice@masslib.org>

MLA entends thanks to Diane Klaiber who has retired as our MLA Executive Manager as of January 2008!