Winter 2010
Dear New Members of NYLA:
Welcome to NYLA! We're glad you've chosen to join a professional organization--a choice that will open new doors to you in the profession of librarianship. The New Members Round Table (NMRT) has been in place for over thirty years and I expect we'll be around for many more to come, so take a moment to see how we can help you grow in the profession.
As you will see on our website, the purpose of NMRT is "to encourage active membership and orientation to state, local, and national professional associations; to encourage the interchange of ideas among new librarians; and to promote a greater feeling of responsibility for the development of library service and librarianship in New York State." These activities may sound a bit overwhelming to someone recently graduated from library school or in that first job, but I would like you to know that we are here to help you every step of the way.
We have well over a thousand members in NMRT, which automatically includes all first-year NYLA members and many returning members as well. (Did you know that you can be a part of NMRT for up to ten years?) NMRT includes librarians and library students who are interested in all facets of librarianship--public, academic, school, and special libraries, such as corporate or government organizations. This makes our round table quite unique. While most other NYLA sections and round tables cater to a specific aspect of the profession, we host members from all over the state, from every facet of the field. We hope to meet the needs of all new librarians regardless of career path, and to serve as a gateway to the many specialties available through NYLA.
So what can NMRT do for you?
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Mentoring. So many practicing librarians will attest to the value of mentoring relationships they were a part of when they first began working as librarians. We maintain a mentoring list and hope to begin actively pairing mentors with mentees soon. Would you like some further guidance in your career area? Be sure to read more about
mentoring through NMRT.
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Annual Conference. Each year, NMRT plans at least four programs for the NYLA Annual Conference. In 2010, the conference is scheduled for November 3-6 in Saratoga Springs, a beautiful city with amazing scenery in northeastern New York. The conference is your chance to network with colleagues and potential employers while learning about new technologies, current research activities, and all things library coming our way in the near future. NMRT hosts two social events--the NYLA Network Breakfast, which starts the conference off, and the NMRT Meet & Greet Reception, which is a great opportunity to mix and mingle with other new librarians in a fun and informal atmosphere. If you have any suggestions for programs or potential speakers, please feel free to contact Angela Sorensen, our Conference Planner/VP.
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Awards. In the past, NMRT members have had two chances to win awards to attend the NYLA Conference. For more information on these awards, please visit our
Awards and Scholarships page. We hope to continue to offer these again this year, so be on the lookout for their announcement and apply early!
Because this is your organization, we encourage feedback and input from all of our members. Do you have an idea for an NMRT service or program? Maybe you are interested in becoming a board member? Perhaps you would like to contribute to the newsletter, the NMRT Voice. Please don't hesitate to contact any NMRT board member if you have something you would like to share.
I've been a part of NMRT and NYLA since 2003 and I feel confident in saying this was one of the best things I chose to do for myself professionally but also personally. I've made some really great connections with colleagues from across our state, and I've developed many long-lasting friendships. I hope you find it a rewarding, supportive and fun experience, as I have.
Best wishes,
Jill M. Tarabula
2009-2010 NMRT President
