By John Meier
With an anniversary theme, on Sunday, June 24, 2007, the 3M/NMRT Social decked out the Independence Ballroom of the Grand Hyatt Washington, DC in sparkling diamonds. With “bling” on their fingers the attendees celebrated 75 years of NMRT, including those years as the JMRT (Junior Members Round Table), and the 32nd year of the Social in partnership with 3M Library Systems.
The 3M/NMRT Social is an award banquet to recognize the recipients of both the 2007 3M/NMRT Professional Grant and the 2006 National Awards for Museum and Library Service. The 3M/NMRT Professional Grant winners were selected by the 3M/NMRT Professional Grant Committee, chaired by Jessica Hutchings, and received round-trip airfare, lodging, and conference registration expenses. This year's winners were Stacy Brown, the Head Librarian at Bauder College in Atlanta, Georgia; John Meier, a Science Librarian at Pennsylvania State University in University Park, Pennsylvania; and Danielle Pollock, the Librarian for the Missouri Department of Transportation. Each of the winners came forward to receive a plaque from Amanda Roberts, NMRT President, and Rory Yanchek, Director of 3M Library Services. Previous winners present were also recognized and had their names included in this years slideshow.
In recognition of the Institute of Museum and Library Services Awards, a video montage was presented of the winners, Artrain USA, Ann Arbor, MI; Frankfort Community Public Library, Frankfort, IN; John G. Shedd Aquarium, Chicago, IL; Lincoln Children’s Zoo, Lincoln, NE; Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County, Charlotte, NC; San Antonio Public Library, San Antonio, TX. Dr. Anne-Imelda M. Radice, Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services, offered a few slides on the importance of libraries and librarians to the nation.
Then the music started with the inevitable Electric Slide courtesy of DJ Brian Violett with Washington Talent. There was plenty of appetizing food and a few drinks for everybody. In closing, 3M provided door prizes to a few lucky winners. Those who brought a new children’s book to be donated to DC Public Library were entered into a special gift basket drawing. You can find some event pictures on Flickr using the tag “nmrtannual07” http://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/nmrtannual07/
Thanks to the 2006 3M/NMRT Social Committee (Amanda Bakken, Shilo Halfen, Emily Rimland, Adam Haigh, Kimberley Bugg, Chris Metzger) for all their hard work this year. The 32nd Annual Social was a huge success. Let’s do it all again in Anaheim!