New Hampshire Library Association upcoming events

ITS September Meeting (Wednesday, September 30, 2026)

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 14:30:00 GMT

The ITS Section will meet in-person at the Howe Library (Hanover, NH) as well as online via Zoom for a discussion of library technology topics and trends.

A Zoom link will be shared via the ITS Google Group in advance of the meeting.

Contact itspresident@nhlibrarians.org for questions and agenda item requests.

Collection Development Workshop (Thursday, October 01, 2026)

Thu, 01 Oct 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Join Mindy Atwood, NH State Library, Administrator of Library Operations and Amy Lappin, Lebanon Public Libraries, Deputy Director for an overview of Collection Development. We’ll look at how to make decisions about what to add to a collection, selection resources, and essential collection management policies.

We’ll also talk about weeding. When is it time to say goodbye to a book, format or resource? Why, when, and how should we make those decisions?

Bring your questions!

Mindy Atwood is the Assistant State Librarian for the New Hampshire State Library. She leads a team of 28 dedicated staff members who are committed to meeting the informational needs of New Hampshire state, county, and municipal governments and to promoting excellence in libraries and library services in the state. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Middlebury College and a Master’s Degree in Library Science from Clarion University. She was the 2023 NHLA President and in 2024, received the Impact Award from the New Hampshire School Library Media Association for her work in that role.

Amy Lappin has been the Deputy Director of the Lebanon Public Libraries for the past 14 years where her work includes selecting adult fiction, DVDs, and audiobooks. She has worked as a children’s librarian, a school librarian, and an archivist. Amy is a past member of the American Library Association Executive Board and a proud graduate of the University of Rhode Island’s MLIS program. If she had to choose one aspect of librarianship to do 40 hours a week for the rest of her life, it would be collection management with a heavy emphasis on weeding!

This presentation is sponsored by the NHLA Paralibrarian Section and is open to members and non-members.

Cost: $15 NHLA Paralibrarian members $25 NHLA members/guest

Payment can be made via credit card online or check.

If paying by check, please make payable to NHLA Paralibrarians and mail to:

Tammy McCracken at Wadleigh Memorial LIbrary

Registration deadline: September 24, 2026

Payment must be received prior to the start of class

Please read the NHLA Cancellation policy before registering.

Questions? Contact Hope Garner, NHLA Paralibrarian Education Chair at libraryadvocate62@gmail.com

READS Fall Conference: Community Connections (Friday, October 02, 2026)

Fri, 02 Oct 2026 13:15:00 GMT

2026 READS Fall Conference Schedule

9:30- 9:45 am Welcome

9:45 am – 10:45 am: Durham Library Community Café

Presenters: Deborah Jarvis, Programming and Outreach Coordinator & Audra Lewis, Assistant Director of Durham Public Library
Debbie Jarvis will highlight her innovative Community Café initiative, a program designed to bring residents together while drawing on the expertise and lived experience of local community members. Debbie and Assistant Director Audra Lewis will share effective strategies for recruiting participants, promoting programs, and supporting first‑time or amateur presenters in a welcoming library environment. They will also showcase Durham Public Library’s Creator Studio events and rotating local artist displays, offering practical insights into how libraries can celebrate creativity, elevate community voices, and strengthen local connections through accessible programming.

11:00 am – 12:00 pm: Social Media Trends in Library Marketing

Virtual Presenter: Angela Hursh, Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County.
This session is co-sponsored by the ITS Section.

Description: Social media changes constantly, and for library marketers, it can feel impossible to keep up. Platforms evolve, algorithms shift, engagement patterns change, and every week there seems to be a new “must-do” trend. This session focuses on what actually matters for libraries right now. We’ll talk about current social media trends, changing audience behavior, video content, accessibility, and sustainable content strategies for library teams with limited time and resources

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm: Lunch

1:00 pm – 1:15 pm: READS Annual Business Meeting and presentation of the READS Award of Excellence

1:15 pm – 2:15 pm: The Barnstead Helpers Group

Presenter: Danielle Hinton, Oscar Foss Memorial Library.

Description: Danielle Hinton will discuss the Barnstead Helpers Group, a collaborative organization she co-chairs. This group brings together representatives from the library, schools, churches, and local emergency services to solve community needs. Key initiatives highlighted include backpack drives for students, winter preparedness kits for seniors, an annual "Community Feast," and a library-sponsored Early Literacy Fair.

Digital payment is preferred. Checks should be made out to NHLA-READS Section, sent to Tanya Griffith, Hollis Social Library 2 Monument Square Hollis, NH 03049. All payments need to be RECEIVED prior to the day of the conference. Registration questions should be addressed to Eileen Gilbert, Gilman Library in Alton (gilmanlibrarydirector@gmail.com). Please refer to the NHLA Cancellation Policy.

Sustainability Committee Meeting (Tuesday, October 06, 2026)

Tue, 06 Oct 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Join the NHLA Sustainability Committee!! The committee meets on the first Tuesday of the month from 1-2 via zoom.

Read the agenda here!

Contact nhlasustainability@nhlibrarians.org for questions!

Create Your Brand with Canva for Librarians (Monday, October 26, 2026)

Mon, 26 Oct 2026 19:00:00 GMT

In this intermediate Canva course, discover brand kits and how to create a consistent image for your library, and explore all the fun features that Canva has to offer!

Please bring a laptop or tablet to this class already logged in to Canva.

Sam Diggins has been in libraries for 6 years. She is currently the assistant children’s librarian at the Bedford Public Library in Bedford, NH. She loves programming, curating book displays, and being the library’s resident “Canva pro." She has been using Canva since the beginning of her time in libraries and has loved it since creating her first design. When she isn’t at work, you can find her playing with her dog, making art, and of course, reading.

This presentation is sponsored by the NHLA Paralibrarian Section and is open to members and non-members.

Cost: $15 NHLA Paralibrarian members $25 NHLA members/guest

Payment can be made via credit card online or check.

If paying by check, please make payable to "NHLA" Paralibrarians and mail to: Tammy McCracken at Wadleigh Memorial LIbrary

Registration deadline: October 19, 2026

Payment must be received prior to the start of class

Please read the NHLA Cancellation policy before registering.

Questions? Contact Hope Garner, NHLA Paralibrarian Education Chair at libraryadvocate62@gmail.com

YALS-CLNH Joint Fall Conference (Thursday, October 29, 2026)

Thu, 29 Oct 2026 13:00:00 GMT

YALS and CLNH are going Through the Looking Glass to Transform Youth Library Worlds for our second joint fall conference!

As in 2025, we'll have two sessions per time slot, and a a single keynote speaker.

Schedule:

9:00–9:45

Check-in, Breakfast & Networking, YALS & CLNH Business meetings

9:45–10:15

Award for Teen Librarian of the Year & Lois Lowry Message

10:15–11:15

Beth Janelle — Local Author & Motivational Speaker

11:15–11:30

Break & Book Purchasing

11:30–12:30

M.T. Anderson & Lunch

12:30–12:45

Break & Book Signing

12:45–1:45

Session 1: Popular Pop-Up Programs

Session 2: How to Start an Anime Club

1:45–2:00

Break

2:00–2:50

Session 1: AI in the Library

Session 2: Escape Rooms with AI

2:50–2:55

Quick Break

2:55–3:40

Session 1: Book Awards

Session 2: Circle Program

3:40–4:00

Wrap-Up & Raffle Winners

------

Please contact YALS Vice President Kelly Montagano (kmontagano@ci.durham.nh.us) or CLNH President Nicole Gauvreau (clnhpresident@nhlibrarians.org) with questions.

NHLA 2026 Fall Conference/Business Meeting (Friday, November 06, 2026)

Fri, 06 Nov 2026 13:30:00 GMT

NHLA 2026

Fall Conference & Business Meeting

Friday, November 6, 2026

8:30am to 3:00pm

Common Man Inn

231 Main Street, Plymouth, NH 03264

Registration/Continental Breakfast

Fall Business Meeting

Morning Session

Sticking with Difficult Conversations

presented by

Michele Holt-Shannon (NH Listens)

Lunch & Raffles

Afternoon Session

Get Up, Stand Up: Strategies & Actions for Solidarity

presented by

Allyson Malik (Oak Bluffs Public Library)

& Clayton Cheever (Norwood Public Library)

Library values matter most when they are put into practice. In a time when librarians are navigating increasingly complex challenges, how can we stand firmly for free and equitable access, serve communities with diverse perspectives, and support one another in doing this important work? Directors Allyson Malik (Oak Bluffs Public Library, Martha’s Vineyard) and Clayton Cheever (Morrill Memorial Library, Norwood, MA) will lead an engaging, interactive exploration of what it means to put our professional values into action. Through real-world scenarios and shared discussion, participants will consider practical ways to respond to challenges, advocate effectively, and build professional solidarity while working within their roles, policies, and local contexts. Come ready to think, share, and leave with renewed confidence, useful resources, and strategies you can bring back to your library!

Register by October 23, 2026
Login, then pay online with a credit card

Questions? Contact Sheryl Bass

Sustainability Committee Meeting (Tuesday, November 10, 2026)

Tue, 10 Nov 2026 18:00:00 GMT

**Date Changed Due to Election Day**

Join the NHLA Sustainability Committee!! The committee meets on the first Tuesday of the month from 1-2 via zoom.

Read the agenda here!

Contact nhlasustainability@nhlibrarians.org for questions!

Sustainability Committee Meeting (Tuesday, December 01, 2026)

Tue, 01 Dec 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Join the NHLA Sustainability Committee!! The committee meets on the first Tuesday of the month from 1-2 via zoom.

Read the agenda here!

Contact nhlasustainability@nhlibrarians.org for questions!

NHLA 2027 Spring Conference Exhibitors (Thursday, May 06, 2027)

Thu, 06 May 2027 13:00:00 GMT

The NHLA Conference Committee is excited to announce our 2027 Spring Conference will be held May 6th and 7th at Mill Falls in Meredith, NH. We are working hard to plan a conference that will educate, inform, inspire, and motivate our colleagues. We would like to invite you to be a part of our efforts and appreciate your support of New Hampshire libraries.

Your participation will allow attendees to have access to your services and products during our designated vendor breaks. We hope you will sign up for a table or consider being a conference sponsor.

Vendor Hall Table $600:

The rate includes a table with linens and skirt in the designated vendor hall, exclusive vendor times in the conference schedule, inclusion in the conference program, wireless Internet access, electricity (if needed), on-site parking, and meals for one vendor representative (an additional $75 for each additional representative applies to cover meals).

Vendor Hall Table for Nonprofit Organizations $250:
This fee includes a table and chair with linens and skirt in the designated vendor hall, exclusive vendor times in the conference schedule, inclusion in the conference program, wireless Internet access, electricity (if needed), on-site parking, and meals for one vendor representative (an additional $75 for each additional representative applies to cover meals).

General Sponsorship: $300
A general sponsorship are for those vendors who are unable to attend the conference, but would like to still support NHLA. We will include your business in the conference promotional materials. This is a great way to "advertise" to all our conference attendees.

Meal Sponsorship: $1100 (Limited to 5)

The rate includes a table with linens and skirt in the designated vendor hall, exclusive vendor times in the conference schedule, recognition as a conference sponsor during all food breaks, displaying of banner (if provided), your business logo on conference promotional materials, inclusion in the conference program as a sponsor, wireless Internet access, electricity (if needed), on-site parking, and meals for one vendor representative (an additional $75 for each additional representative applies to cover meals).

Please contact Nicole Gauvreau, Conference Chair, for more information at conference@nhlibrarians.org. You will be sent a vendor exhibitor agreement for completion. Formal notification will be sent, along with your table assignment, when the completed agreement is received and reviewed. Payment in full is due by March 1, 2027.