NMBA LEFT OUT OF EXPANDED NMLA CONFERENCE

by Richard Polese
Library buyers across New Mexico welcomed our presence at a long string of NMLA Annual Conferences. Last year was our best ever at the New Mexico Library Association’s yearly gathering. Our NMBA Library Showcase Catalog was well-received by the librarians, and more of you came to introduce and sell your books than ever. However, NMBA was left out of the loop this October. Here’s why:

The NMLA was joined by the Mountains and Plains Library Association for a Joint Annual Conference at Old Town’s Hotel Albuquerque, opening the last day of this month. Last week we learned that no space was available for any nonprofit. We might have been able to purchase a standard vendor’s booth, but all of them were sold out weeks ago! 
 
All of us were surprised and quite disappointed by this late news. Your NMBA Board apologizes to all NMBA members who were looking forward to what we came to understand was a welcome presence at NMLA. We will stay tuned to their program leadership throughout the year, planning for much better Library Conference news for 2020.