NH Library Association

New Hampshire Library Association is committed to networking, professional growth, and advocating for the future of New Hampshire Libraries.

COVID-19 Resources

  • About NHLA
    • Annual Reports
    • Bylaws & Policies
      • Bylaws
      • Cancellation Policy
      • Social Media Policy
      • Conflict of Interest Policy
      • Document Retention Policy
      • Conference Guidelines
      • Conference Code of Conduct Proposal
    • Executive Board
      • Executive Board Members
      • Executive Board Meeting Minutes
    • NHLA Financial Reports
      • NHLA Financial Reports
      • Deposit Form
      • Payment Form
      • Treasurer Training
    • NHLA History
    • ALA Code of Ethics
    • Sustainable Libraries Resolution
    • Calendar
  • Sections & Committees
    • CLNH – Children’s Services
    • IFC – Intellectual Freedom Committee
    • ITS – Information Technology
    • Paralibrarians
    • READS – Adult Services
    • ULAC – Urban Libraries
    • YALS – Young Adult Services
    • Continuing Education Committee
    • NHLA Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion (EDI) Committee
  • Resources
    • Advocacy
    • Library Use Value Calculator
    • Sample Policies from NH Libraries
    • Graphics and How-tos
    • Go-To Meeting Instructions
  • Education
    • Scholarships & Grants
    • State Library Resources
    • Drexel University Continuing Education
    • University of North Texas VT-NH-ME Cohort
    • White Mountains Community College Library Technology Certificate
  • Conferences
    • 2020 Fall Conference and Business Meeting – Oct 16
    • 2021 Spring Conference – May 6-7 in Meredith, NH
    • Past Conferences
      • 2019 Fall Conference and Business Meeting
      • 2019 Spring Conference – May 9th & 10th
      • 2018 Fall Conference and Business Meeting
      • NHLA 2018 Small Library Summit
        • 2018 Small Libraries Summit Materials
      • 2017 NHLA Fall Conference and Business Meeting Nov. 3
      • NHLA Spring Conference 2017
      • 2016 NHLA Fall Conference and Business Meeting Nov. 3
      • YALS Fall Conference 2016
      • READS Fall Conference 2016
      • NELA/NHLA Annual Conference 2015
      • CHILIS Spring 2015 Conference
      • NHLA 2014 Spring Conference Payment Page
      • Spring Conference Materials 2014
      • NHLA 2014 Spring Conference Online Registration
      • NHLA Spring 2014 Conference
      • Fall Conference and NHLA Business Meeting November 7, 2014
      • 2013 Spring NHLA One Day Conference
  • Awards
    • Ann Geisel Award of Merit
    • CLNH Librarian of the Year
    • READS Award of Excellence
    • Book Awards for Youth
      • Isinglass Book Award (Gr. 7-8)
      • Flume Book Award (Gr. 9-12)
  • Equity, Diversity, Inclusion
    • NHLA Statement Calling for Actions to End Racism
  • Membership
    • Become a Member!
    • Member Login

NHLA History

The New Hampshire Library Association (NHLA) is the oldest state library association in the United States, founded in 1889 by a group of 49 library trustees and one librarian. New Hampshire is also home to the first state library (1717) and the first free public library supported by municipal taxation (Peterborough, 1833).

The first president of NHLA, Nathan Parker Hunt (Manchester City Librarian) was elected in 1891. At that time, NHLA membership included approximately 30 individuals. The motto of the organization was “…to promote the efficiency of libraries and to cultivate fellowship among its members.” The Association quickly became immersed in activities associated with library advocacy, librarian professional development, and the need to foster collaborations locally, state-wide, and nationally for the benefit of individual New Hampshire communities. For example, the first major discussion of interlibrary loan occurred at the 1897 annual meeting, and the formation of local library co-operatives to provide professional support began around that same time.

NHLA voted to approve the formation of the New England Library Association in 1939, and officially became a state chapter of the American Library Association in 1941. During that same time period, NHLA studied the concept of statewide library services being provided by the NH State Library. A union list of adult non-fiction titles was created, and eventually evolved into the New Hampshire Automated Information Systems (NHAIS) in 1981 due to the combined efforts of the State Library and NHLA. Today, NHLA membership exceeds 600 individuals, representing all aspects of library support in New Hampshire. NHLA continues to advance the interests of its members through advocacy on library issues and increasing public awareness of library service, as well as supporting the professional development of its members, fostering communication and the exchange of ideas, and promoting participation in the association and its sections.

Contact NHLA

Amy Lappin, NHLA President 2020

Board & Committee Contacts
Email the Board

Mailing Address:
New Hampshire Library Association
c/o New Hampshire State Library
20 Park Street
Concord, NH 03301-6314

Full Calendar

Calendar

January 22, 2021
  • ULAC Meeting

    January 22, 2021

    See more details

  • ULAC Meeting

    January 22, 2021

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January 28, 2021
  • YALS Meeting

    January 28, 2021  10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

    YALS Executive Board meeting. Open to all for networking and to share the love of teen programs and collection development with fellow librarians.

    See more details

February 9, 2021
  • NHLA Executive Board Meeting

    February 9, 2021  2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
    NH Local Government Center, 25 Triangle Park Drive, Concord, NH 03301, United States

    See more details

February 12, 2021
  • CLNH Board Meeting

    February 12, 2021  1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
    3 Triangle Park Dr, Concord, NH 03301, USA

    See more details

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