Back to Table of Contents


Thursday, September 9, 2004
NMRLS, Danvers

FY2006 Plan of Service and Budget:
Greg provided an overview of the proposed FY2006 Plan of Service and Budget. He directed the Board specifically toward some changes in the Regional Administration & Coordination section, namely that NMRLS would be beginning implementation of a new Strategic Plan and taking advantage of grantsmanship to further enhance resources and services. Significant changes to the budget are outlined in the plan, which will be mailed to the membership prior to the Annual Meeting in November. A motion to accept the plan and budget was unanimously approved.

Strategic Planning Recommendations:
Greg Pronevitz reviewed the recommendations of the Board Development Committee and informed the Board that NMRLS would be contracting with Alan Brickman to facilitate strategic planning process with a Strategic Planning Committee of 14 members, representing NMRLS four types of libraries. The process will include a number of online surveys, regional focus groups, and interviews. A motion to accept the recommendation was unanimously approved.

Annual Meeting Speaker - Jane Brox:
Mary Behrle announced that our keynote speaker at the annual meeting this year is Jane Brox. Her essays have appeared in The Georgia Review and other journals and magazines, and have been selected for inclusion in many anthologies, including Best American Essays, The Norton Book of Nature Writing, and the Pushcart Prize Anthology.

Clearing Land: Legacies of the American Farm, published by North Point Press in September 2004, is Jane Brox's third book. Five Thousand Days Like This One was a 1999 finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award in nonfiction, and her 1995 book, Here and Nowhere Else, won the L.L. Winship / PEN New England Award.

Jane has received grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Most recently a resident of her family farm in Dracut, she now lives in Maine. Copies of Jane Brox's three books will be available at a discount from Barnes & Noble, the day of the Annual Meeting. Jane will gladly sign them for those who are interested.

Merrimac Public Library/Supplemental Deposit Collection Update:
Greg updated the group on NMRLS contract with the Merrimac Public Library to house the collection and provide services under this contract. They will be receiving the collection in early October. Memorial Hall Library in Andover would continue housing and weeding the collection until the move to Merrimac.

Special Library Membership Criteria:
Greg explained, while NMRLS has a process for re-certifying its school membership, it has no specific process for certifying its special library members. We have been made aware that some of our special libraries may have vacancies and, therefore, may no longer meet all criteria for NMRLS membership. After some discussion, the group agreed that NMRLS would poll its academic and special library members by using a form based on the one used to survey school last fall to gather re-certification information. Of particular interest to NMRLS is if there is an on-site, paid librarian-in-charge, what are the posted hours of service, and if the library has a budget.

Membership Update: Susan Grabski informed the group that NMRLS Membership stands at 312 (13 Academic, 53 Public, 205 School, and 41 Special).

Upcoming Meetings: Susan Grabski discussed the upcoming schedule of meetings. The proposed 2004-2005 calendar is as follows:


Thursday, October 21, 2004NMRLS, Danvers2:30 - 4:30 PM
Wednesday, November 17, 20048th Annual Council of Members Meeting
Merrimack College(Cascia Hall)		11:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Thursday, December 16, 2004NMRLS, Danvers2:30 - 4:30 PM
Thursday, January 20, 2005Peabody Institute Library, Danvers2:30 - 4:30 PM
Thursday, February 17, 2005Location TBA2:30 - 4:30 PM
Thursday, March 17, 2005Location TBA2:30 - 4:30 PM
Thursday, April 21, 2005Peabody Institute Library, Danvers2:30 - 4:30 PM
Thursday, May 19, 2005Location TBA2:30 - 4:30 PM
Thursday, June 16, 2005Location TBA2:30 - 4:30 PM