Maine State Library - temporary quarters

Present: April 7, 2001

Present: Suzan Nelson, Sylvia Norton, Edna Comstock, Teri Caouette, Nancy Grant, Gretchen Asam, Gerry Crocker, Sue Leiter, Donna Chale, Fran Haines, and Margaret McNamee.

PRESIDENT'S REPORT: Suzan Nelson welcomed new board members, Gerry Crocker as Information Literacy Chair and Sue Leiter, Archivist and Information Literacy committee member. Sue will consult with Betty Pettis, former archivist, and call a work meeting of board members, possibly at Conant House to cull and organizing MASL archived material for scanning. Suzan complimented Edna and Sylvia on the Maine State Library's temporary quarters. Yankee Magazine will provide bookmarks (instead of the posters they had previously suggested) for Conference featuring 100 classic New England children's books. Information about the Lupine, MSBA, and Katahdin Awards will be available for the membership pamphlet and for Conference. It was suggested that support for posters of award winners might be solicited from the Book Sellers Association, Mr. Paperback, the Portland Press Herald, MASL, MLA and others.

THE SECRETARY'S REPORT: The minutes were accepted with Gerry Crocker's name spelled correctly and Sue Leiter's position as Archivist and Information Literacy committee member clarified. There was a discussion about the advisability of including home addresses in the minutes. Although no motion was made, the feeling was that it might be best to refer to board e-mail addresses for further information.

THE TREASURER'S REPORT: The treasurer's report was accepted. Donna reported that MASL will not need to share the expense of a lobbyist, as MLA is not hiring one at this time. MASL should have a plan to redirect the fall budget's lobbyist line (and The Maine Entry line), keeping in mind our status and appropriate budget levels for nonprofit organizations. It was noted that scholarship applications should be encouraged for MASL members working on undergraduate, graduate and recertification credits. Motions were passed unanimously to donate $500 to the Maine Library Fund and $300 to MSBA, with notations that written requests for future donations are expected.

CONTINUING EDUCATION CHAIR: Teri Caouette met with Walter and will contact all organizations involved in continuing education (like SMLD, CMLD, NMLD, etc.) to suggest a joint effort to publicize offerings around the state.

FIRST VICE PRESIDENT'S REPORT: Nancy asked that everyone check the MASL website on a regular basis for program information. The committee is looking for people to introduce presenters. Timing of the Audrey Conant Fund Scholarship announcement and other candidates for recognition were discussed. An invitation will be sent to Ralph Conant. An announcement will be posted to ME-LIBS, to Audrey's friends and to committee members who worked with her regarding the scholarship announcement. Food and background music for the Saturday gathering, the need for loan of tabletop fountains, and Old Fort Western tours were also discussed.

SECOND VICE PRESIDENT'S REPORT: Joyce Wheeler was unable to be present. Due to health problems, Joyce has had to curtail her involvement and will not be able to attend Conference. Gretchen Asam volunteered to handle the publicity for the scholarship and will send a draft of the scholarship application by e-mail to board members. Suzan and Fran Haines will help with the auction. Auction items and volunteers for Sunday and Monday are still being sought. Suzan will bring remaining Chantons CDs. A downloadable auction donor form could be put on the website.

NOMINATING COMMITTEE: Suzan Nelson, Walter Taranko and one or two more members will be working on nominations for next year. It was suggested that perhaps Joyce could remain as second vice president and a new first vice president would be nominated. Please contact Suzan Nelson at Portland High School with suggestions.

PR CHAIR AND ACTING INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM CHAIR: Gretchen read the gratifying response from Greenwillow Publishers thanking the board for notifying them about the Bangor Assessment program's use of the Prelutsky poem.

NEEMA CHAIR: Sylvia Norton is the president-elect of NEEMA. Our board is looking for a MASL representative to NEEMA who would be available for conference calls, e-mail, and some travel to meetings. The NEEMA board conducts much of their business by e-mail with quick response needed. Input into a revision of the NEASC (New England Schools and Colleges) accreditation process will be part of their discussions. Book Examination Day will be October 13 in Worcester, MA. Registration is $15; representative from major publishers will be present (and usually give away free books!). The Leadership conference will be September 28 in Tyngsboro, MA. Wayne Free will be the keynote speaker on Technology and Standards. A motion was passed unanimously to donate $200 to NEEMA toward the Northeast Region's AASL directorÕs expenses. It was suggested that the budget line presently called "Travel - NEEMA" be changed to NEEMA, to include this expense on a yearly basis.

MEMBERSHIP CHAIR: Edna is still receiving membership checks from her recent outreach. The membership list is available as a pdf file.

OLD BUSINESS: Sylvia reported she has received one completed nomination for School Library Media Specialist of the Year Award. Edna Comstock will integrate changes made to the membership flyer from the two different versions available. She will reformat it to a trifold mailer, possibly making a different format for poster use. Board members will be able to see a draft by e-mail. Linda Lord and Edna Comstock are still looking for interviewees for the Net Technology Project. The interviews will be reported in SLJ or other related journals.

NEW BUSINESS: Gretchen suggested that the board consider making arrangements now to hold Fall Conference during Harvest Break in the County to take advantage of school computer labs. Presque Isle's break is Sept. 17-Oct. 5; Milo's break starts the week of Columbus Day. The board approved Suzan's letter of thanks to Ralph Conant acknowledging with gratitude the Audrey Conant Scholarship Fund. A celebration of Audrey's life will be held at Conant House on Sunday, June 3. Suzan was quoted in a Maine Times article about LD 1556 on March 29. Edna spoke about e-rate. Districts must certify by October 29, 2001 on the 486 form that they either have a filter in place or are working on it. If districts are only applying for telephone service, no action is required. There are two lawsuits only against CIPA. NCIPA is related to acceptable use policies and is not being challenged. Edna will post more comprehensive information on ME-LIBS and the webpage. A request will be sent to MEA asking that their publication for new teachers note that school librarians are important resources for new teachers. Judith Cox, who is working on a grant to integrate new teachers into the profession, will also be asked to recognize the importance of librarians to new teachers. Suzan gifted board members with Easter eggs and a drawing was held for an Easter basket.

NEXT MEETING: The next meeting will be May 7 at the Spring Conference in Augusta..

Respectfully submitted,

Margaret McNamee margaretmc@lamere.net