NMLA sponsors several Special Interest Groups (SIGs). New SIGs are encouraged to be developed for the benefit of NM librarians. Information regarding forming a SIG is located at the bottom of this page.

Advocacy for School Libraries - Contact Dora Trudell - NMLA Board Liaison: Laurie Treat
Its goals are:
- Provide leadership to initiate, maintain, and enhance library legislation and act on political issues affecting school library interests.
- Provide and support educational opportunities for school library personnel.
- Communicate the role and value of school libraries and librarians.
- Support and undertake networking among school librarians in New Mexico.

Advocacy for School Libraries is also the presenter for the Land of Enchantment Book Award.  For more information, please click here.

 

Battle of the Books - Contact Sheila Moody, or check out their website, or http://www.nmbattleofthebooks.org/or their Blog - NMLA Board Liaison: Laurie Treat

 

Local and Regional History - Contact Peter Ives - NMLA Board Liaison: Pam Rishel
Promotes the local and regional history of the state.

 

Native American Libraries - Contact Nolan Valdo, Cynthia Crespin or Janice Kowemy - NMLA Board Liaison: Paulita Aguilar
Supports the development of library service to Native Americans through libraries both on and off reservations.

 

New Mexico Preservation Alliance - Contact Jo Anne Martinez-Kilgore - NMLA Board Liaison: Pam Rishel
Promotes preservation of library and archival materials and public records.

 

Northern New Mexico Youth Services - Contact Angie Manfredi - NMLA Board Liaison: Laurie Treat
- To provide educational opportunities in areas related to Youth Services
- To provide a discussion forum of common concerns regarding the role and value of YS librarians in NM
- To provide a common meeting place for YS librarians scattered throughout Northern New Mexico for the purpose of exchanging ideas, giving moral support and networking.

 

Paraprofessionals - Contact Kash Heitkamp - NMLA Board Liaison: Susan Pinkerton
- Promote recognition of the contributions of library paraprofessionals.
- Provide a forum for issues relevant to library staff.
- Provide educational opportunities for library staff.
- Create a community where library paraprofessionals can learn and share experiences.

 

REFORMA - Contact Rita Vargas Pino - NMLA Board Liaison: Susan Pinkerton
- National Association to Promote Library Services to the Spanish-Speaking
- Advocacy for Library Services to the Spanish - Speaking.
- Establishing viability within the library community.
- Leadership development.
- Meeting the library needs of Hispanics; with emphasis to embrace all Hispanic cultures.
- Recruitment.

 

Retired Librarians - Contact Barbara Moore - NMLA Board Liaison: Paulita Aguilar
This special interest group of retired librarians will continue to share their expertise with the NMSL community by promoting statewide library interests, by promoting interest in literacy and books, and by maintaining an interest in issues relating to retirement.

 

Proposed: Rural Libraries

 

Students - Contact Mary Kurtz - NMLA Board Liaison: Paulita Aguilar

 

PROCEDURES FOR FORMING A SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP
(Proposals are due by June 1, 2008 for approval)

An interest group may be formed by members whose common interests reflect the Goals of the Association. Members wanting to form an interest group submit a proposal to the Executive Board for recognition (link to proposal form). The proposal will include the name of the member who will serve as Executive Board liaison, a statement of purpose, and objectives related to the Goals of the Association.

Once formed, an interest group will annually submit a proposal for recognition (link to renewal form). The Executive Board shall authorize continued recognition of existing interest groups at the first Executive Board meeting following the close of the annual conference.

Each interest group will have an Executive Board liaison who shall represent the group and submit the group's objectives, proposed activities, and budget requests to the Executive Board.

Interest groups may request a program or meeting time during the Association's annual conference or other general meetings.

Each interest group liaison shall submit a written annual report to be published in the post-conference issue of the Association's official periodical and shall submit this report to the Secretary at the close of the annual conference.

Budget:

1. Invoices are to go directly to NMLA either by fax (505-891-5171) or mail (PO Box 26074). These invoices will be reviewed by the administrator and approved by the NMLA Treasurer for payment. NMLA will directly pay these invoices.

2. Ordinary out-of-pocket expenses (food, printing, etc.) will be reimbursed after a Request for Reimbursement Form has been submitted to NMLA and approved. Please fill out the form entirely and include the SIG the charge is for.

3. It is the responsibility of the SIG Chair to keep track of their budget. If you are unsure where something has been allocated or what has been spent, the NMLA budget is located in the "Members Area" of the website and is updated monthly.

4. If you want to have a specific speaker at the Annual or Mini-Conference, when submitting a program proposal, please note on the proposal the SIG that is "sponsoring" this speaker. The speaker fees DO NOT come out of your SIG budget, but the NMLA budget for these two events.

5. NMLA is a 501(c)3 and does not pay taxes on goods, only services.

6. Bulk mailings (must be addressed to no less than 200 recipients) must go through our printer and be sorted by zip code when given to the printer. (contact the NMLA Administrator for further information). Items for printing can be sent via e-mail to the printer and they can add our bulk mail stamp to the item during the printing process.