Special New Mexico Book People Honored at NMBA’s Annual Gala

PHOTOS BELOW

Four book champions received special attention for outstanding service to readers statewide and to our professional book family at the June 7 Annual Membership Gala.
 
Two Book-in-Hand Honors were presented, first to Patricia Hodapp, who has served all book readers as Santa Fe’s innovative public library director for 14 years. Pat is the first librarian in our state to receive this coveted honor. 
 
Radio broadcast host Richard Eeds received a Book-in-Hand for his outstanding interviews with book authors and publishers on KTRC in Santa Fe. (You are seeing here pictures of both Pat and Richard with honors in hand.)
 
Our gathering was at the gracious home of Barbara Beasley Murphy, who received our Special Recognition for her 28 years of happy and devoted service to NMBA and its goals. Barbara brought the New Mexico Book Association into being at the 1994 Guadalajara Book Fair. She was NMBA’s treasurer for most of its existence. Paula Lozar stepped forward with dedicated leadership in her role as NMBA president and then acting president during the dynamic and challenging past five years. We were proud to recognize Paula for her many exceptional contributions.
 
NMBA membership reelected Janet Brennan, Jared Gann, and Sandi Wright to serve on the board of directors for three more years. Your board then decided to choose new officers at the July board meeting, right after the Friday, July 13, networking luncheon at Tiny's Restaurant. Names have come up for key positions. You will learn who will be serving and leading our programs in next month’s Libro Nuevo!

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