Present:  Teri Caouette, Edna Comstock, Sylvia Norton, Jeff Small, Nancy Grant, Marilyn Joyce, Peggy Becksvoort, Barbara Hammond, Lorie Zentara, Kelley McDaniel, Joyce Lucas.  Guest: Merry Kahn

The meeting was called to order at 9:10 AM

• Maine Libraries Mascot Initiative
• Intellectual Freedom Issues
• Maine Conference Program

Secretary's Report: Accepted as amended.

Spring Conference

·      Edna handed out a spring workshop flyer titled Spring Fling. She will ask attendees to pick two sessions. The expectation is that all four sessions will be offered both morning and afternoon.  The facility is set.  Edna will send a mailing to members, then a separate mailing to others.  Discussed concerns about the identity of the spring conference/workshop. 

·      Kelley stated that grant applications will be put in the folders along with a reminder about Beg, Borrow or Steal.  Kelly encouraged the board to bring things to the April meeting that need to go into the folders. 

·      The cost of this year’s spring conference/workshop will be $25.00 for members and $35.00 for non-members.  Lori Stevens will be given a stipend of  $100.00 to do two workshops.  The time will be left as is.

Treasurer's report

·      Under income, Edna pointed out the $8,000.00 as our share of the Maine Libraries Conference. She noted that $2,000.00 more will go to each group.  She asked if there were any expenses to give to Pam.

·      Jeff and Edna saw the new logo and ordered 2 purple shirts with gold lettering and a green tree.  They submitted a bill for digitizing for $45.00.  Jeff stated that the shirts may be available for the April Meeting. He suggested that a group be issued shirts for conference to help identify MASL members. That will be on the agenda for April.

Nancy made a motion that the treasurer’s report be accepted as presented. Peggy seconded the motion.  The motion carried.

AASL Affiliate Assembly

·      A reminder of elections and to vote for people who are members of AASL. 

·      National Library Week is April 18th–24th.

·      National Library Legislative Day is May 2nd. Teri contacted Gary and Linda.  They know that we are sending a rep. to be part of a team from Maine.  Encouraged people to send emails to representatives.

·      The ALA public information office regarding hurricane relief assistance has an email address for anyone doing specific things.

·      AASL paired up with NEA, and NEA is going to be pushing our cause regarding the 65% solution.  Looking for things to be done at the state level.  Do we want to do anything with MEA?  EPS Discussed strategies on how to approach the state board.

·      Concerns and commendations are due by May 15th to Marilyn.  Would like to post to NEEMA. Nancy said that the teaching piece is a concern. Instructional role needs to be stronger nationally and that we should let the general membership know.  Other states may be doing the same thing. 

• Questions raised: Does Information Power need to be revised or completely redone?  Do we need to redo Information Literacy standards?  Need common language dovetailed with other associations.  Bring Information Power to the April meeting.
• Nancy Grant highlighted the conference where she heard Steve Arnoff speak about software and data collection and Susan Ballard speak about taking data to your administration. Edna asked for a one-page sheet on the facts she brought back from the conference that could be shared at Spring Fling.

Legislative Meeting

• Teri read her letter to Gary and Linda and responses from them in regards to legislative day.  Would like to have someone from the board to represent us.  Edna explained what that person would do. Jeff made a motion to send two reps. from MASL (Sylvia and Peggy) to Legislative Day (DC) on May 1st.  Nancy seconded the motion. The motion carried. Teri will contact Gary and Linda and tell them who will be going. 

Conference Information  Fall of 06

• Jeff  made a proposal to dispense $10,000 off of the last conference (previous $6000 to each). 
• Discussed the Maine Library conference logo and the need for some kind of identity.

·      Jeff relayed that we currently have about 40 programs but need about 50 to 55.  Encouraged people to do programs.  Suggested bringing administrators and others into the conference.  Edna is working on getting discounts for non-librarians including volunteers, etc.  Kelley mentioned bringing a spokesperson from Wikipedia to discuss what it is and the people behind it.

• The committee is looking at having displays around the sides of the dining area throughout the conference.  Jeff is working on entertainment. Discussed insurance and possible increased cost of it.  Edna will get insurance information from MMA.  May check with Civic Center about what they use.
• Edna asked that we respond to the post conference survey.  She is trying to gather ideas. There will be an Indian caterer and food, birch bark canoe demo.  The one that states LD 291 is the one that will teach how to integrate cultures.  Rachel Caldwell will speak Saturday night.  Will ask to videotape her and play the tape on Tuesday.  
• The next conference meeting will follow the April meeting on April 8th.

Chickadee Award

• Teri requested $500.00 (the same as was paid last year).  Nancy made a motion to approve the $500.00, Peggy seconded the motion and the motion carried.

PABBIS and Web Addresses –

• There were concerns that some board members were getting mass mailings from Parents Against Bad Books In Schools.  Discussed taking email addresses off the MASL website.  It was decided that the addresses should remain and we can deal with spam on an individual basis.

Donation for New Orleans Schools

• Marilyn will look into finding a specific, viable New Orleans school to donate to by the April meeting.

ALA New Orleans Conference

• Agreed to send Kelley and Sylvia to the conference.  Will need to contact ALA and give them the affiliate names.  Nancy moved that we support Sylvia, Jeff seconded, and the motion carried. 

Sylvia's Corner

• Discussed Maine Learning Results and the positive influence that librarians have had in the revision process. 
• Sylvia spoke with people at Microsoft about the importance of librarians in the pyramid.  She also learned of new products. 
• Everyone will receive a survey, and responses are needed by April vacation.

State Board Report

• Peggy stated that feedback on MLR updates is due by April 15.

• Discussed the Maine Libraries Mascot Initiative.  Kelley described mascots that represent organizations and the PR benefits.  The plan is for the committee to pilot the idea with libraries that are interested in using this.  Edna proposed that a letter be written to the committee to state that we need school library representation.  Motion was made by Jeff to write a letter to Bonnie Dwyer as to the possibility of adding a school librarian to the committee. Peggy seconded the motion. Motion carried.
• Kelley spoke about recent intellectual freedom challenges.  She handed out correspondence with those involved.  The last two challenges have been in classrooms and we need to be seen in our schools as experts.  Sylvia suggested that we do something at conference about IF. 

• Jeff discussed the drafting of Chapter 118 involving professional learning communities and certification.  They are considering having someone come in from outside the school to evaluate.  The plan is due by December of this year. 
• Edna asked that retreat discussion be put on next agenda. 
• Kelley described the USM (TEAMS) Undergraduate degree program.  Interns for student teaching. She described it as a good opportunity to work with future teachers. 
• Nancy Grant handed out flyers on hand-helds. 

Next Meeting April 8.

Meeting adjourned 12:25 PM.

Joyce Lucas