Rumford Elementary School

Present: Jeff Small, Sylvia Norton, Nancy Grant, Edna Comstock, Eileen Brodrick, Barbara Hammond, Teri Caouette, Toni Buzzeo, Donna Chale, Peggy Becksvoort, Janet Patterson, Debbie Gahm, Kelley McDaniel.

Teri's welcome and words of appreciation to Eileen Broderick for hosting the meeting.

Secretary's report: The minutes of the April meeting will be amended to read State Board of Education Meeting and a correction to the spelling of Debbie’s name. The minutes were accepted pending these corrections.

Treasurer's Report:

• A bill was received for legislative work.
• Jo Coyne was given $200.00.
• A contribution will be made toward the Chickadee award.
• Discussed the Maine Library Foundation. It was clarified that this fund was set up in case of disasters to any libraries. MLA will contribute in the coming year also. Edna suggesting putting this on hold until the guidelines are clarified.
• Agreed to send Gail $500.00 for her work on the website.
• Barbara reported that there are no applications for scholarships yet.

President's Report: Teri reported that a letter was sent to Tom Peterson.

State Board of Education Meeting: Peggy reported that they were very receptive to the presentations. The following people agreed to speak about the changing roles of librarians at
the Nov. 15-16 meeting: Eileen, Deb, Peggy, and Sylvia.

Advocacy Mailings: Teri has received emails and went to a district meeting where people were enthused. Discussed the next steps. Suggested a MELIBS post asking for feedback. Edna brought extra packets and position statements. It was also suggested that we target school boards, town councils, and superintendents once consolidation is finalized.

EPS: This will be discussed at retreat in July. Teri suggested that we find a supportive legislator to mandate certified library media specialists in schools. She suggested that we also look at what other states are doing in this regard. Donna and Teri will be going to Affiliate Assembly and may get information there. A suggestion was made to get a professional lobbyist.

Executive Secretary Job Description: It was moved and seconded to approve the amended duty list as presented in the draft.

Web Page questions from Gail:

• She would like a page for support staff. Jennifer will work on it.
• Needs committee information on the page. Teri agreed to look at it and identify missing information. She asked those on committees to look at their sections.

Conference Report:

• Jeff stated that we need programs and specifics before school ends.
• We will know who the keynote speaker will be next Friday at the conference committee meting.
• Jackie Littlefield from the Holocaust Human Rights Center will showcase the new building on Saturday. Jeff is hoping that the University will supply refreshments and entertainment.
• Post conference ideas (Tues. following conference) were money markets, investments, retirement issues, workplace stress, dry run of presentation for the principal's conference, communication and publications, possible cataloging program. Would like to have a program with a focus on literature. Edna will post to MELIBS asking for reading/literature program with a link to the website.
• There will be a meeting on June 7th with MASL and MLA to look at the conference vision and purpose. Teri asked for a list of pros and cons for a combined conference.
• Debbie suggested notifying Reading Association of our conference.

MLA Annual Meeting: Pam did present, but the speaker did not speak to the anticipated issues. So, there was disconnect with what they were prepared to do.

NEEMA and MASL: Nancy reported that NEEMA is asking for connections to parent and community groups. She would like to take examples to AASL. She discussed toolkits. Nancy’s position statement on the reading process by Carol Gordan who works with Ross Todd.

Freedom to Read Foundation: Edna received a letter from ASL with an invitation to join this foundation for $100.00. It was moved and seconded to pay for an organizational membership and have the information go to Kelley. Kelly was given the authority to vote for officers, etc. as our MASL representative.

Summer Retreat: Jeff urged a membership push. Edna offered to put together a school librarians handbook. Janet will help her with this. This will also be discussed at the retreat.

Conant Scholarship: Barbara asked for information on this scholarship. Edna suggested using
it for those in the process of getting a MLS. Donna, Nancy and Barb will work as committee on this.

SMLD: Shirley Helfing is interested in collaborating on ideas. Discussed ways to do that. Teri will contact Shirley regarding our meetings and perhaps arrange a special meeting. It was also suggested that we send advocacy packets to District Consultants.

Sylvia:

• Sylvia shared information on WebJunction which offers free online courses, and one can develop their own courses.
• Jo Coyne spoke with Sylvia and expressed thanks. Technology Team meeting.
• Nancy will be in Castine for MLTI sessions. The sessions are in early August. She will be in JN working on a practice test.
• AASL guidelines are being drafted. There is a group doing mission
  statements.

Other:

• Nancy gave a handout on "Evaluation of a Web Blog."
• The next meeting will be on Sept 8th. The location will be announced.
• We will set the calendar in August.
• Kelly reported that Wells has a possible challenge.

Respectfully submitted,

Joyce Lucas, secretary