Present:  Debbie Gahm, Janet E. Patterson, Eileen Broderick, Sylvia K. Norton, Nancy B. Grant, Barb Hammond, Peggy Becksvoort, Edna Comstock, Jeff Small, Marilyn Joyce, Donna Chale, Gretchen Asam, Joyce Lucas

Absent:  Teri Caouette, Toni Buzzeo, Kelly McDaniel (on leave)

President's Welcome and Opening Remarks (Jeff Small)

Meeting was called to order at 9:20. Jeff expressed that he'd like to see the next 2 years as a time for growth and that we focus on specific areas and on serious issues.  He sees both concerns and things that are exciting.  He would like to use the board's talents to push the organization forward. 

Secretary's Report (Joyce Lucas)

A motion was made to table the minutes in order to address the general format and make corrections to the December minutes.  The motion carried.

Treasurer's Report (Donna Chale)

• There were a few refunds for conference.
• Edna was paid for expenses. 
• All the money from the fall conference has been collected and the bills are paid.
• The treasurer's report was accepted as presented.

Job Descriptions (Jeff Small)

• Slow down and look at whether we are meeting the current needs of membership. 
• Consider how our positions and committees relate to the goals established at summer retreat.  Is it time to update?  Does  the job description adequately describe your role?  Look at your individual committee and bring your conclusions to the board.  Contact Jeff when you are ready. 
• Discussion regarding affiliate assembly chair.  Should it be looked at as an official position?  
• Consider librarians outside the board to work on committees. 
• Job descriptions for scholarship chair and treasurer seem to be missing. 
• Sylvia will set up a space on Web Junction for discussion and input about job descriptions.

School Librarians handbook

• Request to produce a handbook and give it to principals who would then pass it on to their librarian. 
• Suggestion to give out binders and have people print out their own pages.
• Suggestion to get sponsor(s), such as office supply companies, to help pay for the binders.
• Some items from the 1990 handbook are still worth keeping.
• The membership chair should be included in this work. 
• Will leave on the agenda for the next few months.

Conference 08 (Peggy Becksvoort)

• Peggy has been in contact with MLA about an Oct. 3, '08 (Fri) conference.  Joan Frye Williams will speak. MLA will meet on Jan. 25 in Belfast for further discussion.
• Waiting to hear from Anne Thompson on MRA conference.   
• The 2008 NewEngland Reading conference is in Springfield, MA.
• Edna gave copies of the MASL fall conference survey results. The information needs to be synthesized. 

Technology (Nancy Grant) 

• Handouts:  Livening Up Foreign Language and Online-Learning: The Next Generation of Professional Development. 
• Recommended an Apple I-Touch, can connect to library catalog. 
• A draft survey was emailed to those in high school libraries regarding what they are doing with their MacBooks. The survey results will be discussed at the next meeting.

Membership (Jeff Small, Acting)

• Currently have 206 members.
• Looking for a membership chair.  Asked for a group to look at how we can better serve our membership. This position will also include work on the handbook.  Email Jeff if interested or have names.  
• Jeff will go to Presque Isle Elem. School on April 9 for a MASL 1 meeting.

Meeting Schedule (Jeff Small)

• Feb 2 - Winslow High School
• Mar 1 - Maine State Library in Augusta
• Apr 5 - Maine State Library in Augusta
• May 3 - Down east.  Suggestions:  Bangor Public,  Cohen Middle School,  Ellsworth, Belfast, Searsport, Hutchinson Center.
• June 7 – Maine State Library in Augusta

Maine Library Week

Jeff will go to the Hall of Flags on Jan. 15.  Discussed what we could do there to represent school libraries: MASL decals, table with photos and write-ups of  School LMS of the Year, Administrator of the Year, Taranko Award.

Goals (Jeff Small)

Think about how we are going to support these goals and at what level.  Need to move on to objectives.  Edna was asked to format something and send it to Gail about the goals.

ALA/AASL

• Discussion on how to make these organizations an integral part of MASL and their goals important to our members.  How do we take advantage of ALA and AASL and how do we give back?  Suggestions: connect with info. literacy people, workshops, a spring day, handbook publication, develop objectives, connections to technology, MLR, literacy, etc.
• Further discussion about handbook.  Thoughts:  a workshop day (perhaps during the week to work on the handbook publication with recertification credits available),  something that connects technology, MLR, literacy, etc.  Develop an objective that would go under our goals that would relate to this discussion.  Eileen proposed the following objective:  update information literacy resources on MASL website based on the new MLR.

Nancy made a motion that MASL pay the 2007-08 NEEMA membership dues for board members who wish to be members and discuss paying future memberships at a later date.  Janet seconded. The motion carried. 

Sylvia's Spot

• A need to commit on affiliate assembly in order for attendees to plan ahead.  June 26th-July 2.   Also need to decide what is expected from attendees.  Put on agenda for next time. 
• Legislative Day in DC.  Sylvia trying to go.  Who will be going?  May 13  - 15.  Have training sessions on how to talk to your legislator, etc. 
• Sylvia running for AASL President. 
• ALA members – Linda Williams is running for ALA President.  Urged to vote.  Voting in April or early May. 
• Partnership for the 20 Century. 

Continuing Education (Gretchen Asam)

• Automation systems being discussed on MELIBS.  Suggestion to put together a list with who is using what system.  Gretchen will move forward with that.
• Institutional memory.  Do we need a place on a website to record those things that are from past (MASL Memory).

Other

• Jeff read a letter from Sue Leiter who expressed her gratitude for the life membership award.
• Jeff congratulated Janet Patterson on her MLS.
• Meetings will begin promptly at 9:00 AM ... arrive early if you want to eat and/or socialize.
• Include list of tasks at the end of the minutes.
• A suggestion when posting to MELIBS to include that you are on the MASL board.

The meeting adjourned at 12:50 PM.  The next meeting will be on Feb. 2nd at Winslow High School.  ***Meeting will begin promptly at 9:00 AM.  Snow date would be the following Saturday as per tradition.

Respectfully submitted by Joyce L. Lucas, Secretary