The legislative session has come to a close. Appropriations towards the Libraries for the 21st Century campaign were approved by the Legislature, but fell to the Governor's veto along with numerous other funding initiatives. Although undeniably disappointing, this outcome is no reflection on the skillful and tireless efforts of our advocates. These include lobbyist Ken Winston, the Legislative Committee chaired by Brenda Ealey, a vocal network of librarians and supporters across the state, and of course retiring Senator LaVon Crosby and her colleagues at the Capitol.

How shall we take up the charge next year and who will champion our cause? These questions will be the focus of deliberations in the months ahead. What can you do to help? (...I'm glad you asked that question!) A successful campaign must be backed at the grassroots level with respectful, but relentless lobbying. I urge you to get to know the issues, and get to know your Senator. When Legislative Day rolls around next year, please join us. You'll be hooked, I guarantee it.

Tulips weren't the only thing blooming across the state in April and May--spring meetings were also in session. This year the Paraprofessional Section telecast their meeting to 18 sites across the state from Scottsbluff to Omaha, in an innovative venture designed to include more participants. The telecast featured presentations on personality types and book repair. Meanwhile in Aurora, TSRT and ITART (the Technical Services and Information Technology and Access Round Tables) joined for a full day of sessions that focused on e-journals. And theirs wasn't the only partnership. The Public Library and SCYP Sections (School, Children's and Young People's) traveled across the state from Gering to Holdrege to La Vista with a varied program on celebrating change, customer loyalty, school-public library partnership, and award-winning children's books. And last but not least, the College and University Section gathered in Fremont for a discussion of special collections and archives in Nebraska. By all accounts, spring meetings were as captivating as this year's tulips. Look for details in this and in subsequent issues of NLAQ.

What lies ahead? The 2000 Tri-Conference in October is shaping up to be the most exciting NLA event of the decade. This year NLA and NEMA will partner with the Mountain Plains Library Association (MPLA), as well as the White House Conference on Library and Information Services Taskforce (WHCLIST). With such broad regional participation comes an infusion of exceptional programs and events, ably directed by Kathy Tooker (NLA), Linda Rea (MPLA) and Sandy White (NEMA). Local arrangements are being handled by veterans Georgene Fawcett, Donna Helvering and Verne Haselwood.  Stay tuned for details in the next NLAQ. In the meantime, you're invited to visit the Tri-Conference website:  <http://reinert.creighton.edu/triconf/>

Jeanne Saathoff and the nominating committees of the NLA Sections and Round Tables have been busy. Sincere thanks and congratulations to all those who have generously agreed to run for office. Your commitment will be amply rewarded. And finally, please consider recognizing a colleague with one of the awards announced in this issue of the NLAQ and on the website: <http://www.nol.org/home/NLA/>. We all know individuals who have impressed and inspired us over the years with their contributions to the library profession and to NLA. Take a moment to acknowledge them--you'll both feel good.

Thank you. Now sit back and enjoy this special issue on library architecture that John Bernardi and the Editorial Committee have for us.