Greetings!

It's February, and the thick coat of yellow pollen on our cars hints at some good news...Spring is on the way!

It's a great time of year for the NEFLIN staff to visit our members, and we have enjoyed several recent road trips to Marion, St. Johns, and Levy counties, as well as a few stops in Jacksonville. These visits are crucial in helping us understand how we can best serve our members.

What a moment! The "Olympic Torch" arrives at the Marion County Public Library Staff Day Opening Ceremony

And there's more good news from NEFLIN: Registration for Hot Topics 2026 opens today! This year's theme is Engaging Spaces, Strategic Design. Explore this newsletter for more information about this upcoming event and more.

Jenny Eason

jenny@neflin.org

Member Services Coordinator

Each year, we ask for your feedback in the NEFLIN Annual Survey. The information we gather from the survey results helps us serve you better.

To get the most useful information, we need responses from as many NEFLIN members as possible. We invite YOU to take the survey today!

As an added incentive, we'll also enter everyone who takes the survey into a drawing for one of five $25 Amazon.com gift cards.

We look forward to hearing from you!

NEFLIN's 2026 Hot Topics Conference is now open for Registration!

Date: Thursday, April 16, 2026 

Time: 9:00am – 4:00pm

Location: Schultz Conference Center, Jacksonville

This year's theme is "Engaging Spaces, Strategic Design."

Presentations will highlight innovative approaches to redesigning existing spaces. Libraries are adapting to meet diverse needs, including accommodations for special populations, dynamic programming areas, advanced technology integration, sustainability features, and community collaboration zones. NEFLIN's 2026 Hot Topics Conference will help you create welcoming, functional spaces that inspire learning, connection, and creativity.

See the complete agenda at https://neflin.org/2026-hot-topics-conference/.



Questions? Contact NEFLIN at office@neflin.org.

VTC Update: More than 100 of you completed the January Virtual Training Challenge...well done, NEFLIN!

Didn't have time to complete the January training? Don't worry - you're still in the game! Everyone who completes the eight monthly trainings by the end of August will receive their VTC credentials and be eligible for our final drawing.

Congratulations to the winner of the January Prize Pack, Cyndy Moore from Volusia County Public Library! Thank you to Cyndy and EVERYONE who has participated in the VTC so far.

Find out more about the

Virtual Training Challenge at http://www.neflin.org/vtc,

or get started NOW with the

February Challenge:

About this month's training: You may know the ins and outs of your role in libraries, but what does the bigger picture look like? Trainer Regina Burgess gives you a snapshot of the profession, covering the fundamental basics, collection management, impact of technology, and beyond. Whether you’re aiming to enhance your professional skills or gain a deeper appreciation of library services, “Essentials of Library Science” is your gateway to becoming a more effective, knowledgeable library professional.

Please note: All virtual trainings are accessed through NEFLIN's Niche Academy platform. If you don't have an account, set one up using your library email address at https://my.nicheacademy.com/neflin-staff.

Questions?

Visit http://www.neflin.org/vtc, call us at the NEFLIN Office (904-278-5620), or email training@neflin.org.  

Through the Jim Morris Scholarship Fund, NEFLIN members are eligible to apply for financial support for conferences, training, and other professional development opportunities, whether in-person or virtual.

We are now accepting applications for opportunities happening between May 1st and December 31st, 2026.



The deadline to apply is April 15, 2026.

You'll find more information about the JMCEF and a link to apply at http://neflin.org/jmcef.

Each year, NEFLIN hosts a raffle to raise money for the Jim Morris Scholarship Fund. All funds raised through this raffle go back into the JMCEF to support professional development scholarships for our members.

This year, we're raffling off TWO prizes:

• a Live Video Streaming Kit valued at $139.99 Includes 2k 60 FPS Webcam, Professional Cardioid Microphone, and LED Flat Light for Android/MAC/Windows
• a Literary Clock valued at $209.00 Tells time through iconic literary quotes - experience a new line from classic or modern literature every minute. With over 13,000 curated quotes, every glance offers a fresh story snippet that delights book lovers daily. 5" x 3.5"

Raffle tickets are $10.00 for 10 tickets. Tickets must be purchased in $10.00 increments.

The drawing will take place at the 2026 Hot Topics Conference, but you do not need to be present to win.

You may purchase raffle tickets online until April 24th or at the event.

In 23 years at Palm Harbor Library, Gene led the library through eras of technological changes, budget restrictions, staff turnovers, the Covid outbreak, and political challenges. The library emerged as a cultural destination, an innovative hub, a staff-centered workplace and a mecca for volunteerism while establishing itself as a player at the community table. Gene was recognized for his efforts by the Palm Harbor Chamber of Commerce, receiving awards for Citizen of the Year as well as Lifetime Achievement.



Gene was also involved in state-wide librarianship through his Presidency of the Florida Library Association, the Tampa Bay Library Consortium and Friends of the State Library and Archives. He recently received FLA’s “Lifetime Achievement” award. After nearly 40 years of public service, Gene is very proud to call himself…a librarian.

In celebration of America's 250th birthday, we have added the America 250: Foundations Collection to our eLending Library, which is available to any NEFLIN member. Be sure to explore these 67 new titles, many of which are available in eBook or audiobook format.

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To access these or any of the professional development titles available from NEFLIN, email training@neflin.org to create your Overdrive account.

Most unusual circulating collection in our region? Quite possibly these bones at the University of St. Augustine!

Several of these Veterans Museum kiosks are available at libraries in Jacksonville, including this one at UNF.

We enjoyed a quick visit with Library Director Brian Nesselrode at

The Bolles School in Jacksonville.

Levy County Public received some thoughtful thank you cards from local public school students after the library donated multiple copies of each SSYRA title to the school libraries.

We only had time for a quick stop in Williston, but it's always fun to see this library housed in an old bank...

Thanks for traveling along with us!

Would you be interested in a NEFLIN visit for your library? Email jenny@neflin.org and we'll add you to our itinerary.

Flagler College's Proctor Library has reimagined part of its space into a sensory-friendly study environment through a project called Cultivating Calm and Color. Find out more at Hot Topics 2026!

UNF's Thomas G. Carpenter Library staff gave us an excellent tour, highlighting the new Allen Lastinger Center for Florida History.

Levy County Library Manager Layce Hallman and Circulation staff member Abigail Hall are working hard to serve their rural communities!

A highlight of attending Marion County's Staff Day was touring the Veterans Exhibit & Education Center, located just across the parking lot from the Headquarters Library in Ocala.

This recording studio is being used for the One Nation, Many Stories Veterans History Project, an Oral History archive being developed by the Marion County Public Library and the Marion County Veteran Services.

...and featuring the original bank vault!

This project is funded under the provisions of the Library Cooperative Grant program awarded to the Northeast Florida Library Information Network (NEFLIN). Florida’s LCG program is administered by the Florida Department of State's Division of Library and Information Services.