New England Library Association (NELA) (Mss. Gr. 153.1)

Series 1. Executive Secretary's Files
The recent acquisition to the New England Library Association represent aspects involved in maintaining a non-profit organization and include membership lists, annual reports, conferences, grant applications, newsletters, postage logs, flyers, and photographs. Financial information regarding budgets, cash disbursements, bank statements, and check requests can be found in the business records of the Executive Secretary's Files (For additional financial records, see Series II).

NELA’s emphasis on professional development can be viewed by studying their programming. An annual program sponsored by NELA is Counterparts. Counterparts brings together association officers from New England, giving these officers the opportunity to meet their counterpart officers from other states. Sessions can focus on topics of current interest to librarians and often include requests from previous participants. Through an open exchange of ideas, best practice techniques can be learned in a relaxed environment (See folders # 93-96).

Programming is also offered by sections within NELA. These sections offer educational conferences to librarians with common interests. The records provide the researcher a glimpse of the fascinating diversity inherent within NELA. While some of the sections are no longer in existence, others, such as the New England Round Table for Children's Literature (NERTCL) and the New England Technical Services Librarians (NETSL) have shown tremendous growth. NERTCL continues to provide children’s librarians with information concerning the best in current literature and programming, while NETSL brings together individuals interested in the technological aspect of librarianship.

The scholarship money NELA provides to library individuals interested in attending conferences/classes is another indication of NELA's commitment to continuing education (See folder # 131).

Series 2. Treasurer's Files
The meticulous records NELA maintains of its not-for-profit organization are apparent in the detailed financial information provided in Treasurer Joanne Palko's records. These records, donated on September 11, 2003, comprise Series II, are arranged alphabetically by subject, and include audit reports, budgets, bank statements, cash disbursements, financial statements, revenue and expense sheets, and tax forms. Revenue is generated from membership dues, contributions and yearly conferences. The funds are used to publish newsletters, maintain a web site, and provide library science and conference scholarships (See also Series I).

The New England Library Newsletter is published six times a year and covers current issues of interest to librarians such as equity in pay, responses to the Patriot Act, and internet filtering (See folder # 45). The NELA web site (http://www.nelib.org) provides information concerning the association's activities and programs, as well as library news, events and employment opportunities.

Series 3. New England Technical Services Librarians
In 1964 the New England Technical Services Librarians (NETSL) voted to become a section of the newly reorganized New England Library Association (NELA) (See Folder # 24). NETSL has enjoyed a history dating back to 1922, when, during an American Library Association (ALA) conference, a committee was formed by individuals interested in redoing the ALA Catalogue Section. The committee called for regional groups to hold regular meetings to discuss common issues. Boston librarians responded and formed the Boston Regional Group of Cataloguers and Classifiers (BRGCC). Continuing to meet through the 1940s, the BRGCC began experiencing rapid expansion after World War II. The growth was attributed to an increased number of campuses, more suburban living, and greater amounts of library networking. In 1959, the BRGCC formally changed its name to the New England Technical Services Librarians (NETSL). NETSL dedicates itself to the professional development of librarians interested in the technological aspect of library service (See Folder # 12). The commitment of NETSL to continuing education is apparent in the professional programs offered (See folders # 35). In order to provide the most helpful information possible, NETSL gives attendees evaluations to rate the usefulness of the information provided at the programs (See folder # 26). It is this dedication to excellence that aids NETSL in their continued service the academic, public, and special librarians of New England.