Introduction -- Laura

Hello to WPL staff from Sturbridge. I was able to make it out of bed in time, despite staying up much too late, watching Trot Nixon hit a go ahead RBI against his former team, my beloved Red Sox. (Trot, thou have forsaken me). Deb and I, getting to Sturbridge before the start of the actual NELA conference, met up at Friendly's for some energy boosting Fribbles.
First order of business after registering was attending the NELA orientation. Attendees were encouraged to participate in Limber Librarians and take a long refreshing walk at 7 AM, every morning of the conference. They were also encouraged to join in on Monday night games, an annual tradition at the NELA Conference. One year, in Vermont, there was apparently a cheese block carving contest, and a cow milking contest. This year, there will be a mini-golf tournament. Carlo Cantamessa, representing the vendors, discussed the exhibit hall, encouraged the librarians to visit the vendors, assuring them that most of them are not there to sell anything during this three day period, instead just to establish contacts. Last, attendees were encouraged to visit the NELA conference blog (modeled after the blog used at this year's MLA conference). The blog will alow anyone who misses any workshop or wants to follow up to read about the program. The URL is nelib.wordpress.com
NELA will also be posting all handouts from the workshops on their website at www.nelib.org
Now, I'm off to a presentation on the Massachusetts Centers for the Book.