From Your President
Joan Birnie - Broken Bow Public Library
I do hope all of you have been enjoying 2006 and the early spring-like weather! Before long, the calendar will show it is officially spring and NLA activities will be in full swing for this year.
Legislative Day 2006 will be over by the time you receive this NLAQ issue, but early indications were that a large number of library staff, trustees, and legislators would be on hand. Thank you to the NLA Legislative Committee for their thoroughness in organizing the day and giving all of us from across the state an opportunity to visit with our state senators about issues important to all types of libraries. If you weren't able to attend Legislative Day, I encourage you to still make contact with your senator and ask them to support the following: 1) Nebraska Library Commission's mid-biennium appropriation request for an additional $325,000 that will provide a license subscription for a Web-accessible encyclopedia to be used statewide; 2) LR 254CA - a constitutional amendment to prohibit laws infringing upon or interfering with privacy; and, 3) LB 1208 - a bill that change education provisions and provide for distance education services. NLA is on record in support of these measures, but remember this is the short legislative session so you have until April 12 th at the latest to call, visit, or e-mail your senator.
This year, Legislative Day also presented us the opportunity to honor some state legislators with Library Champion Awards. This award was introduced by NLA in 1998 as a way to “honor a state or federal legislator or an individual who has promoted and supported library legislative efforts that promote Nebraska libraries and librarianship.” The NLA Handbook explains that the award is not necessarily presented annually, but only as a worthy candidate is identified. Until now, the only recipient of the award was former Senator LaVon Crosby in 1999! However, with so many senators facing their last session due to term limits, the Legislative Committee recommended and received approval to present 2006 NLA Library Champion Awards to four individuals they considered to be library advocates…Senators Chris Beutler, Marian Price, Nancy Thompson, and Roger Wehrbein. Thanks to the Citations Committee who selected the crystal paperweights and framed certificates that were presented to each senator at the luncheon. With all our outreach to legislators, we hope it won't be another seven years before more worthy candidates are honored with this award!
Now that I've highlighted a past event, I'll fast forward to some upcoming NLA activities.
Plans have been finalized for the spring meetings co-sponsored by the Public Library and Trustees, Users, and Friends Sections. The dates and locations are Monday, May 22 nd at Gering Public Library; Wednesday, May 24 th at the new Lexington Public Library; and, Thursday, May 25 th at LaVista's Public Library. “Encourage Someone @ Your Library” is the theme for the Paraprofessional Section's 2006 spring meeting on Wednesday, March 15 th , while the Technical Services Round Table is sponsoring a SCCTP Electronic Serials Cataloging Workshop at Mahoney State Park on March 31 st . The New Members Round Table and NLA's Diversity Committee will co-sponsor a spring program at the Little Priest Tribal College on Friday, April 14 th . Finally, the College and University Section's spring meeting is set for May 12 th at UNL. Look in this NLAQ for more information about these meetings or check out the NLA website www.nebraskalibraries.org .
And, before long, we'll start hearing more about the 2006 NLA/NEMA Conference that will be October 25-27 th at the Qwest Center in Omaha. Stay up-to-date on conference-related activities and sessions for Libraries…Vital, Vibrant, Visionary at the conference web page www.papillion.ne.us~nla-nema2006 . I know that plans are underway for a couple of pre-conferences and the two keynotes speakers, Stephen Abram and Nancy Pearl, are confirmed. I never wish for time to pass, but I am looking forward to this new conference venue and all it offers!
Before signing off, I have just a couple of reminders. If you haven't renewed your dues for 2006, please try to do so as soon as possible. As you can see, being a NLA member presents wonderful opportunities for growth…professionally and personally. Also, if you have concerns, questions, or comments regarding NLA activities, please feel free to contact me at bbpl@kdsi.net or the Broken Bow Public Library -- (308) 872-2927.
Until the next issue, enjoy the magic of spring!
K. Joan Birnie
NLA President
