Dear New England Library Community,
As this season of state library conferences draws to a close, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of our state associations, committee members, volunteers, exhibitors and attendees for the immense hard work and dedication that went into planning and executing these fantastic events over the past few months.

The seamless execution of these conferences is a testament to the hard work and tireless dedication of the organizers and members who pour their time into supporting our profession. These state-level gatherings are essential to the health of our regional network. They provide an irreplaceable forum for librarians and paralibrarians across all sectors to come together, exchange groundbreaking ideas, and find renewed strength in professional camaraderie.

[Bath, New Hampshire] – [March 21, 2025] – The New England Library Association (NELA) strongly opposes the Trump Administration's March 14th executive order to defund the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). Americans rely on public, school, and academic libraries to access knowledge and a wealth of resources. This action threatens essential funding for library programs and staff jobs that provide essential services such as: free access to information, educational opportunities, and digital resources—especially for underserved and rural communities.

Libraries are essential to our communities, offering free and equitable access to information, education, and technology. Defunding IMLS compromises literacy programs, workforce development, and access to technology that countless individuals rely on daily. We urge our members and the public to take action against this short-sighted executive order. Our libraries are an important piece of our American fabric. President John Adams said, "Let us tenderly and kindly cherish therefore, the means of knowledge. Let us dare to read, think, speak, and write."

NELA's Statement on the January 6th Capital Violence

The New England Library Association strongly condemns the storming and violent occupation of Washington DC’s Capitol by rioters. This is an affront to the ideals of democracy that are at the heart of librarianship, fueled by white supremacy and the incendiary remarks, conspiracy theories, and lies of a select group of powerful politicians.

The New England Library Association fully supports each state library association’s statements on COVID-19 as they relate to their state’s library institutions.

NELA continues to recommend the full closure of all public, academic, and school libraries until it is safe and advisable to reopen.