Benefits of Joining NMRT
Greetings Library Students! My name is Sarah Haack and I recently graduated with my MLS from the Missouri program. I am currently serving as the Chair of the New Members Round Table (NMRT) of the Nebraska Library Association (NLA). I’d like to tell you a little bit about the organization and why YOU should be a member!
The Nebraska Library Association exists to support and advocate for libraries of all types and sizes across the state of Nebraska. The NLA’s mission is “[…]to advocate for our members, enrich their professional lives, advance the lifelong learning of all Nebraskans, and promote all library interests in Nebraska.” NLA is made up of different sections and round tables. Members from these smaller groups serve on the NLA Board. If you join NLA, you will have the opportunity to become involved in any of the areas you choose. Section choices include: College & University, Paraprofessional, Public Library & Trustee, Special & Institutional, and the School, Children’s and Young People’s Section (SCYP). Round Tables include: the New Members Round Table (NMRT), Information Technology and Access Round Table (ITART), Technical Services Round Table (TSRT) and the Young Adult Round Table (YART). A basic student membership to NLA starts at only $17!
As a new member to NLA, you receive your membership in the New Members Round Table free the first year. You can continue to be involved in NMRT in following years for only $5 in dues. NMRT is a great round table to be involved in as a student member. Requirements to join NMRT are being a member of NLA for less than ten years, being a professional new to Nebraska libraries for less than ten years, or having graduated with a graduate degree in Library Science within the last ten years.
NMRT offers students and new professionals a way to get involved in NLA as a whole, as well as fantastic networking opportunities with current professionals. You will meet students and professionals alike from all different types of libraries. You can attend NMRT meetings to see what it is like to serve on a round table. You will have the opportunity to serve as the NMRT representative on NLA committees and help advocate for Nebraska’s libraries. NMRT has offered job shadowing opportunities to students in the past. NMRT has a blog so you can stay updated with meeting minutes and announcements, and it has an area where you can submit your own questions about the library profession anonymously and have them answered by a professional. Additionally, NMRT hosts a Spring Meeting event each year. NMRT also gives students the chance to present their work during a poster session at NLA’s Annual Conference each October. Our other sessions this year included a speed networking session, resume review session, and a “Life After the MLS” panel. There are many ways to get involved!
I hope you will consider becoming an engaged member of NLA and NMRT! If you have any questions, please visit the NMRT blog at http://nebraskalibraries.org/NMRT/ or e-mail us at nmrt.officers@nebraskalibraries.gov.