Richard A. Hale, Associate Professor Emeritus of Wood Technology at the University of Maine, and current resident of Bethel, Maine has generously contributed a large number of items from his extensive collection of books and periodicals to the NELMA Institute Library.   Professor Hale has authored numerous publications on the history of forestry and wood products in Maine and is a well-studied and longtime advocate for the industry throughout his career, that began at the University of Maine in the late 1940's.

Professor Hale’s donations to the Library at NELMA include historic issues of the White Pine Series of Architectural Monographs, The Forest Products Journal, and The Journal of the Society of Wood Science & Technology.  

Numerous grading rule booklets from across North America and a variety of publications on forestry and wood products are included in his donation.  Several of Professor Hale’s personal writings on such topics such as the History of Lumber Grading are part of this invaluable collection.

These donated items will be documented and incorporated within the current NELMA Institute Library, located in the downstairs conference room at the Association's Headquarters Office located in Cumberland, Maine.  The NELMA Institute extends its most sincere appreciation to Professor Hale for his generosity.  The entire contents of the library are available to interested parties for on-site reading and research.