US-RUn-msg153.1 Guide to the New England Library Association (NELA) 1963-2003 Finding aid prepared by Kristen Anderson. University of Rhode Island Library, Special Collections and Archives 2004

15 Lippitt RoadKingston, RI 02881-2011Tel: 401-874-4632email: archives@etal.uri.eduWebsite: http://www.uri.edu/library/special_collections/

Finding aid encoded by Kristen Anderson 2004, updated by Erin C. Mullen on 2011 December 07 English Finding aid based on Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS) English Special Collections and University Archives

15 Lippitt Road Kingston, RI 02881-2011 Tel: 401-874-4632 email: archives@etal.uri.edu

Blaisdell, Barry New England Library Association (NELA) 1963-2003 27 box(es), 13.5 linear feet The collection includes aspects involved in maintaining a non-profit organization and include membership lists, annual reports, conferences, grant applications, newsletters, postage logs, flyers, and photographs. Mss. Gr. 153.1 Historical note

Officially chartered in 1963, the New England Library Association (NELA) is a regional organization whose membership represents a variety of interests in library issues. Consisting of the six New England state library associations (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont) and numerous personal and organizational members from diverse sectors of the library community, NELA's stated objectives are to "initiate, plan and support regional activities; to encourage the exchange of ideas; to cooperate with regional and national agencies having related interests; and to stimulate library-related research in the region."

The organization grew out of the first Regional Conference of New England State Library Associations held in June 1938 at Equinox House in Manchester, Vermont. The success of this conference prompted the six state library associations to establish a permanent regional library association and to continue holding annual meetings. During the next annual conference at Wentworth-by-the-Sea in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Articles of Agreement were adopted and Heller C. Wellman, the Librarian of the City Library in Springfield, Massachusetts, was elected the first President of the New England Library Association.

The advent of World War II provided some impediments to the development of the organization. Wellman's duties on the Selective Service Board forced him to resign as NELA President in 1941. The difficulties of wartime travel prevented the association from holding another annual conference until 1946. Since the 1946 meeting in Swampscott, Massachusetts, NELA has sponsored either annual or biennial conferences in various locations in New England.

The early association was loosely organized, with no formal membership or dues schedule and little administrative structure beyond an elected Executive Board. The Board's primary role was to coordinate the conference programs of the various organizations who participated in the annual conferences. By the early 1950s, however, the NELA Board began to show interest in activities beyond conference planning, occasionally speaking out on public issues relevant to the library community. Many members expressed a desire for the organization to take a more active role in library affairs in the region, and as a result, a movement to formally incorporate NELA was started in 1953. Despite some initial resistance to the increase in bureaucracy and broadening of purpose that incorporation would entail, a revised constitution and a set of by-laws were presented for consideration at the 1962 Annual Conference. These new policies and procedures implemented a formal dues schedule, set policies for the development of sections and committees, established an advisory council, and authorized the appointment of an Executive Secretary to manage the business of the organization. On January 18, 1963, articles of incorporation were signed in Massachusetts. Within one year of the acceptance of the new structure, NELA grew to 900 members.

The new constitution allowed NELA to greatly broaden the scope of its activities through the establishment of several formal sections and committees within the association. These entities undertook the development and management of programs, events, and publications to provide support and information about a wide array of interests and concerns, from bibliography to information technology to service to the institutionalized. Among the innovations implemented through this enlarged scope was the establishment of a bimonthly newsletter for NELA members in 1969.

Dwindling membership in the 1970s prompted the association to re-evaluate its function and goals. The ad-hoc New Directions Committee was formed to promote discussion about NELA's organizational structure and its role in the library community. The recommendations arising from this dialogue resulted in a revision of procedures, particularly in regard to sections, that caused some specialized segments to lose their section status. However, the organization reaffirmed its mission to actively participate in library affairs in the region, taking a prominent role in regional initiatives such as the creation of the New England Library Board in 1972.

This organizational fine-tuning and regional collaboration continued in later decades, as the association sought new ways to efficiently manage its affairs and more effectively serve and support the library community. In the 1980s NELA established a leadership conference, "Counterparts Day", to promote collaboration among the executive boards of associations throughout New England. This event was broadened in more recent years as the "New England Library Leadership Conference," which is open to all interested members of the regional community. Other efforts to expand the services of the organization included the development of a web site in 1999-2000.

Information about the early history of NELA was taken from the draft of an article written by Mary A. McKenzie in 1974. The draft appears in this collection in Series I, Executive Board, Box 3, folder 36.

Any qualified person doing scholarly research is permitted to use material housed in the Special Collections Unit.

Terms governing use and reproduction: Photocopying and scanning of materials is a fee based service available in the repository and is allowed at the discretion of the Archivist when in compliance to the Unit's policy on copyright and publication.

Preferred Citation

New England Library Association (NELA), Mss. Gr. 153.1, University of Rhode Island.

Scope and Content Note

The recent acquisition to the New England Library Association collection was given to Special Collections by NELA executive secretary, Barry Blaisdell, and contains documents ranging from 1963 to 2003 with the bulk of the material dating from 1990-1999. The records, comprising approximately 6 linear feet, represent aspects involved in maintaining a non-profit organization and include membership lists, annual reports, conferences, grant applications, newsletters, postage logs, flyers, and photographs. The records are arranged in alphabetical order in the executive secretary files Series I.

NELA’s emphasis on professional development can be viewed by studying their programming. Programs offered by NELA include Counterparts. Counterparts brings together association officers from New England, giving these officers the opportunity to meet their counterpart officers from other states. Programming is also offered by sections within NELA. All sections offer educational conferences to librarians with common interests, and the records of these sections provide the researcher a glimpse of the fascinating diversity inherent within NELA.

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.

The records of the New England Technical Service Librarians (NETSL) were placed on deposit with Special Collections by Nadine Baer, University of Rhode Island librarian and former President of NETSL. The records include minutes of meetings, correspondence and printed materials comprising approximately .5 linear feet. These records, comprising Series III, are arranged alphabetically by subject and include historical information on the origin of NETSL, programs offered, and meeting minutes.

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. NETSL dedicates itself to the professional development of librarians interested in the technological aspect of library service.

Additional holdings of records for this collection exist in the repository.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged in three series as follows: 1. Executive Secretary's Files 2. Treasurer's Files 3. New England Technical Services Librarians, (NETSL)

Acquisitions Information

Names

Subjects New England Library Association RIAMCO Browsing Terms Rhode Island/Local Interest Inventory Series 1 Executive Secretary's Files1964-2003

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).

1 1 1992 Accounts Payable 1 2 1993 Accounts Payable 1 3 1994 Accounts Payable 1 4 1995 Accounts Payable 1 5 1996 Accounts Payable 1 6 1992 Adjusted Trial Balance 1 7 1993, 1994 Adjusted Trial Balance 1 8 1982 Admissions Committee 1 9 1989-1990 American Airlines 1 10 n.d. American Library Association 1 11 n.d. ALA - Endowment Fund 1 12 1991 ALA - Travel 1 13 1992 ALA - Travel 1 14 1993 ALA - Travel 1 15 n.d. ALA - Travel Survey 1 16 1995 Annual Business Meeting 1 17 1980-1984, 1987 Annual Reports 2 18 1994 Annual Reports 2 19 1995 Annual Reports 2 20 2001-2002 Annual Reports 2 21 1991 Atlanta 2 22 n.d. Artwork - Logo 2 23 1991 Auditor Correspondence 2 24 1992 Auditor Correspondence 2 25 1993 Auditor Correspondence 2 26 1993 Balance Sheet 2 27 1994 Balance Sheet 2 28 1995 Balance Sheet 2 29 1996 Balance Sheet 2 30 1992 Ballots 2 31 1990 Bank Accounts - Closed 2 32 1991 Bank Statements 2 33 1991-1992 Bank Statements 2 34 1993 Bank Statements 2 35 1994 Bank Statements 2 36 1994 Bank Statements (Reconciliations, Deposits) 3 37 1995 Bank Statements (Reconciliations, Deposits) 3 38 n.d. Blank Forms 3 39 1993 Board of Director List 3 40 1990 Board Mailings 3 41 1985-1991 Budget 3 42 1992 Budget 3 43 1994 Budget 3 44 1993 Budget Forecasts 3 45 1995 Budget Forecasts 3 46 1996 Budget Forecasts 3 47 1986-1989 Budget Information 3 48 1993-2007 Calendar - Listing of Library Association/Conferences 3 49 1991 Oct-Nov Cash Disbursement 3 50 1992 Cash Disbursement 3 51 1993 Cash Disbursement 3 52 1994 Cash Disbursement 4 53 1996 Cash Disbursement 4 54 1996 Cash Disbursement 4 55 1992 Cash Receipts 4 56 1993 Cash Receipts 4 57 1994 Cash Receipts 4 58 1995 Cash Receipts 4 59 1996 Cash Receipts 4 60 1991 Check List 4 61 1994 Check Request for Complete Year 4 62 1994 Feb Check Requests 4 63 1994 Mar Check Requests 4 64 1994 Apr Check Requests 5 65 1994 May-Jun Check Requests 5 66 1995 Check Request for Complete Year 5 67 1995 Apr Check Requests 5 68 1996 Check Requests 5 69 1990 Chicago 5 70 1984-1988 Conference - Annual 5 71 1989-1991 Conference - Annual 5 72 1992 Conference - Annual 5 73 1993 Conference - Annual 5 74 1995 Conference - Annual 6 75 2003 Conference - Annual 6 76 1985 Conference - Attendees 6 77 1986 Conference - Attendees 6 78 1987 Conference Correspondence 6 79 1987 Conference on Conferences 6 80 1989 Conference Scholarships 6 81 1983-1990 Connecticut 6 82 1992 Continuing Education 6 83 1991 Correspondence 6 84 1992 Jan Correspondence 6 85 1992 Feb-Mar Correspondence 6 86 1992 Apr-Jul Correspondence 7 87 1992 Aug-Dec Correspondence 7 88 1993 Jan-Jun Correspondence 7 89 1993 Jul-Dec Correspondence 7 90 1996 Correspondence 7 91 n.d. Correspondence 7 92 1995 Council Suite 7 93 1987-1989 Counterparts 7 94 1992 Counterparts 7 95 1993 Counterparts 7 96 1994 Counterparts 7 97 1994 Cruising the Internet 7 98 1989 Dallas - ALA Conference 8 99 1992 Deposit Spread Sheet 8 100 1991 Deposit Tickets 8 101 1993 Deposits 8 102 1994 Deposits 8 103 1995 Deposits 8 104 1996 Deposits 8 105 1993 Directory - State and Regional Library Association 8 106 1979-1989 Dues Structure 8 107 1990 Educational Assistance 8 108 1993 Educational Assistance 8 109 1995 Educational Assistance 8 110 1990 Emerson Greenaway Award 9 111 1992-1993 Executive Board Members/Minutes 9 112 1987 Exhibits 9 113 1989 Fax 9 114 1989-1990 Finance Committee 9 115 1990 Financial Plan 9 116 1991 Financial Report 9 117 1992 Financial Report 9 118 1992-1993 Financial Statements 9 119 1993-1994 Financial Statements 9 120 1994-1995 Financial Statements 9 121 1995-1996 Financial Statements 10 122 1989 Form - Fiscal Agent 10 123 1989 Genealogists Handbook 10 124 1993 General Ledger 10 125 1994 General Ledger 10 126 1995 General Ledger 10 127 1996 General Ledger 10 128 1992 General Journal 10 129 1993 General Journal 10 130 1991 Goals 11 131 1992 Grant Applications 11 132 n.d. History 11 133 1991 Income/Expense 11 134 1992 Income/Expense 11 135 1963-1973 Incorporation Papers 11 136 1990-1991 Information Request Form Letter 11 137 1990-1991 Insurance/Bonding 11 138 1993-1995 Insurance Policies 11 139 1988-1989 Income Taxes 11 140 1990 Income Taxes 11 141 1991 Income Taxes 11 142 1992 Income Taxes 11 143 1993 Income Taxes 11 144 1994 Income Taxes 11 145 1996 Income Taxes 11 146 1991 Job Lists 12 147 1994 Journal Entries 12 148 1995 Journal Entries 12 149 1996 Journal Entries 12 150 1986-1991 Letters of Agreement 12 151 1992 List Media Members 12 152 1992 Jan Log - NELA 12 153 1992 Feb Log - NELA 12 154 1992 Mar Log - NELA 12 155 1992 Apr Log - NELA 12 156 1992 May Log - NELA 12 157 1992 Jun Log - NELA 12 158 1992 Jul Log - NELA 12 159 1992 Aug Log - NELA 12 160 1992 Sep Log - NELA 12 161 1992 Oct Log - NELA 12 162 1992 Nov Log - NELA 12 163 1992 Dec Log - NELA 12 164 1989-1990 Maine 12 165 1994 Manual Revisions 12 166 1992 Massachusetts 12 167 1989-1991 Meeting Minutes 12 168 1992 Meeting Minutes 12 169 1993 Meeting Minutes 13 170 1994 Meeting Minutes 13 171 1995 Meeting Minutes 13 172 1996 Meeting Minutes 13 173 1993 Membership 13 174 1996 Membership 13 175 1995 Membership Board and Committee 13 176 1986-1989 Membership Committee 13 177 1992-1993 Membership Committee 13 178 1994 Monthly Revenue/Expense 13 179 1994 Monthly Revenue/Expense (Copies) 13 180 n.d. Network-Contact Lists for Librarians/Common Interests 13 181 1988-1989 New England Academic Librarians 13 182 1986-1987 New England and the Constitution 13 183 1986-1987 New England Educational Media Association 13 184 1990 New England Libraries Calendar 13 185 1992 New England Library Association Disk 14 186 1974-1975 New England Library Association Trustees 14 187 1918-1968 New England Library Association/history 14 188 1992 New England Library Association 14 189 1987-1988 New Orleans 14 190 1990-1991 Newsletter - Editor 14 191 1991 Newsletter 14 192 1992 Newsletter 14 193 1995 Newsletter 14 194 1978 Newspaper Index 14 195 1986-1990 Nominating 14 196 1992 Performance Evaluation Form 14 197 1984 Photographs - NELA Conference 14 198 1991 Photographs - Conference 14 199 1993 Policy Manual 14 200 1994 Policy and Procedures Manual 14 201 1986-1988 Position Descriptions 14 202 1993-1995 Postage Log 14 203 1995 Postage Log 14 204 1991 Profit and Loss Statement 14 205 1998-2003 Program Flyers 14 206 1991 Public Library 14 207 1982-1993 scattered dates Publications Committee 15 208 2001-2002 Reconciliation Reports 15 209 1988-1989 Recruitment 15 210 1991 Red Sox 15 211 1992 Red Sox Tickets 15 212 1992 Renewal Forms 15 213 1993 Revenue and Expense 15 214 1993 Revenue and Expense Detail 16 215 1994 Revenue/Expense Summary and Detail 16 216 1995 Revenue/Expense Summary and Detail 16 217 1996 Revenue/Expense Summary and Detail 16 218 2003 Revitalization NELTA 16 219 1990 Rhode Island 16 220 1988-1989 Salve Regina 16 221 1987 San Francisco 16 222 1992 San Francisco 16 223 1986 Sections: Academic 16 224 1965 Sections: Catholic Library Association 16 225 1966 Sections: Film 16 226 1966, 1973 Sections: Hospital Group 16 227 1976 Sections: Institutional Consultants 16 228 1975 Sections: Institutional Library Section 16 229 2002 Sections: ITS - Minutes 16 230 1964 Sections: Law Librarians 16 231 1966 Sections: Library Trustees 17 232 1977, 1985, 1986 Sections: Media 17 233 1986-1991 Sections: Media 17 234 1992-1994 Sections: Media 17 235 1964 Sections: Music Library Association 17 236 1972 Sections: New England Outreach Network 17 237 1964-2003, scattered dates Sections: Round Table - Children's 17 238 1990-1996 Sections: NETSL 17 239 1992 Sections: NETSL: Ballots 17 240 1993 Sections: NETSL: Ballots 17 241 1992-1993 Sections: NETSL: Candidate Bios 17 242 1996 Sections: NELSSA 17 243 1996 Sections: NEIMICRO 17 244 1983 Sections: Organizational 17 245 1986 Sections: Public Library 17 246 1963-1964 Sections: Round Table - Young Adults 17 247 1964, 1972 Sections: School Libraries 17 248 1979 Special Libraries 17 249 1979 Service Agreements 17 250 1991-1996 Service Contracts 18 251 1988 Staples 18 252 1986 Subscriptions 18 253 1992 Tax Information: MA 18 254 1987 Telephone Credit Cards 18 255 1991 Trial Balance 18 256 1993 Trial Balance 18 257 1994 Trial Balance 18 258 1995 Trial Balance 18 259 1996 Trial Balance 18 260 1998 Trial Balance 18 261 1994 Vendor Card 18 262 1992 Vermont Library Association 18 263 1986-1987 Who's Who 18 264 1993 Worksheets 18 265 1994 Worksheets Series 2 Treasurer's Files1969-2002

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.

19 1 2001 ALA Program: Travel Program Curtailed 19 2 1969 Annual Conference 19 3 2000 Annual Conference 19 4 2002 Annual Conference 19 5 1991-2001 Annual Reports 19 6 1990 Audit 19 7 1991 Audit 19 8 1995-1996 Audit 19 9 1990-2001 Auditor 19 10 1995-1999 Budgets 19 11 2000 Budgets 20 12 1990-1998, scattered dates Certificates of Deposit 20 13 1992-2001 Contract Conference Manager 20 14 1992-2001 Contract: New England Libraries 20 15 1991-1995 Contract: Executive Secretary 20 16 1998-1999 Contract: Exhibits Manager 20 17 1993-1995 Education Assistance 20 18 1994-2002 Executive Board 20 19 1996-1997 Finance 20 20 1992, 1996 Financial Plan Policy 20 21 1992 Financial Reports 21 22 1963, 1986-1987 Financials - Including letter referring to NELA's tax exempt status 21 23 1988 Financials 21 24 1989 Financials 21 25 1992 Financials 22 26 1993 Financials 22 27 1994 Jan-Jun Financials 22 28 1994 Jul-Dec Financials 23 29 1995 Jan-Jun Financials 23 30 1995 Jul-Dec Financials 23 31 1996 Jan-Jun Financials 24 32 1996 Jul-Dec Financials 24 33 1997 Jan-Jun Financials 24 34 1997 Jan-Jun Financials 24 35 1997 Jul-Dec Financials 25 36 1997 Jul-Dec Financials 25 37 1998 Financials 25 38 1999 Financials 25 39 2000 Financials 25 40 2001 Financials 26 41 1989 Liability Insurance 26 42 2001 Membership 26 43 2001, 2002, 2003 Nominating Committee 26 44 2003 Jan-Feb-2003 Sep-Oct Newsletters 26 45 1998-2002 Treasurer's Report 26 46 2000 Web Site Series 3 New England Technical Services Librarians1963-1985

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.

27 1 1980 Annual Report 27 2 1981-1982 Annual Report 27 3 1923-1982, scattered dates Boston Regional Group Organizational Committee: Report/Bylaws/Executive Committees 27 4 n.d. Budget Proposal Form 27 5 1967-1969 Conference Programs 27 6 1970-1972 Conference Programs 27 7 1963-1968 Correspondence 27 8 1969 Correspondence 27 9 1970-1979 Correspondence 27 10 1981 Correspondence 27 11 1982 Correspondence 27 12 1983 Description/Purpose of NETSL 27 13 n.d. Duties of Officers 27 14 1980-1981 Executive Board Members: NELA 27 15 1981-1983 Executive Board: NETSL 27 16 n.d. Meetings: General Information 27 17 n.d. Membership Forms 27 18 1980 Minutes 27 19 1981 Minutes 27 20 1982 Minutes 27 21 1983 Minutes 27 22 1982 New England College Librarians 27 23 1980 Owl Correspondence 27 24 1964 Petition to NELA to Become a Section 27 25 n.d. Program Announcement Mailing List 27 26 1981 Program Evaluation: Fall Conference 27 27 n.d. Program Evaluation Form 27 28 n.d. Questionnaire: For NELA Newsletter 27 29 1984 Questionnaire: Technical Services 27 30 1981 Reimbursement Requests 27 31 1980 Spring Meeting 27 32 1981 Spring Meeting 27 33 1982 Spring Meeting 27 34 1983 Spring Meeting 27 35 1985 Spring Meeting: Topic: Weeding