By Nanette Donohue
I may not work in an academic library, but because I live in a college town, my life is still organized according to an academic schedule. August feels like a month of new beginnings for me. The students repopulate my sleepy summer city, school supplies are on sale everywhere, and the NMRT committee year begins in full force. With 215 committee appointments, it's going to be a busy year!
This will be an interesting year for NMRT as we explore new ways to get our message out to early-career librarians. Our Marketing Committee has been hard at work figuring out ways that we can get people excited about NMRT—and help them become active once they join. I had the opportunity to meet with the committee at Annual, and they're off to a fantastic start. NMRT's new blog, NMRTNotes, should be up and running by September, and it will serve as a clearinghouse for information about NMRT programs and activities. Our liaison program is booming, and we're making connections that will benefit and enrich the NMRT experience for all members.
I'm excited about all of our committees' work, but there is one initiative that is particularly close to my heart. This year's Annual Program will not take place at conference. Rather, it will be an online program that anyone can attend. I'm working with our Annual Program committee to develop a series of podcasts featuring leaders in the profession. We have a few commitments, including one from NMRT Past President (and current ALA Councilor and ALA Membership Committee Chair) Dora Ho, but we are still looking for speakers. Please contact me if you've got ideas.
As always, NMRT is your organization. If there's something we're doing well—or something we can improve—don't hesitate to let us know. Feedback from the NMRT membership has led to a lot of innovation over the years, and I'd like for my presidential year to continue in that spirit of innovation.
-Nanette