Present:  Nancy Grant, Teri Caouette, Edna Comstock, Gretchen Asam, Sylvia Norton, Toni Buzzeo, Jeff, Kelly Barbara

Guest:  Edna's Mother  Name?

The meeting was called to order at 12:00.

Secretaries Report:  Accepted as written

Treasurer’s Report 

In Pam’s absence Teri mentioned that we made money back on Lucinda pins.  Teri is willing to get the pins.  The board agreed to sell pins again for scholarships if they are willing.  Have one Scholarship (Taranko $1,000) and one other that is $500. for the Ed. Tech. Scholarship.   Question was raised about the MASL conference? Edna deposited $615.00 dollars.  2 people did not show but gave notification.  Their checks are being held.  Expenses:  postage $140.00, copying and labels, etc. $216.17,  $356.17 expenses from Edna.  Donna’s expenses were just over $200.  Did make some money.  Checks will be returned to those to people.

Comments on the Spring Conference : 

Nancy suggested a conference on how to use a Moodle?  Sylvia mentioned that there is a Training on the 8th and 9th of June on Moodle.  People were pleased with the volunteer presenters. 

There were vegetarian meals left over. 
The facility was nice. 
Registration had no problems accept password issue. 

Teri asked that we keep in mind what we might want to do next year.  Edna deposited $615.00.  She noted that 2 people did not show with notification whose checks are being held.  Expenses:  postage $140.00.  Copying and labels, etc. $216.17.  $356.17 expenses from Edna.  Donna’s expenses were just over $200.00.  Did make some money.

Affiliate Council:

Nancy Grant  recommended that NEEMA membership (20.00) be paid by MASL.  She noted that the conference is well worth it and that their newsletter is online.   Nancy motioned that we pay NEEMA rate for all board members.  Jeff 2nd.  Motion carried. Will revisit next year.  Applications to Edna.  Others will catch at the retreat.  AASL conference is in Rhode Island this year, Oct. 13-15.  They are looking at assessment.  Sylvia urged registration now.  It is an institute rather than conference.  The registration is $200.00.  She suggestion that we support those working on MLR content areas.  There are 7 content standards.  Nancy motioned that we give up to $500.00 toward 7 people or their appointed stand-in to go to this forum.  Jeff seconded the motion.  Kelley asked for more than $500 to cover travel.  Recommended $600. 
Motion amended to $600.  Jeff seconded the motion.  Motion carried. 
Teri will send something out to the content area people with a first refusal with a deadline of June 20th. 

Nancy described the Ed. Tech  portfolios based on a draft job description.  She asked them to take each piece of the job description and do some kind of representation for the portfolio.  Can we offer them CEUs for working on this.  Her Ed. Techs thought it was a plus for them.  Fits Chapter 125 in regards to overseeing the library programs. Demonstrated portable music box to be used with a laptop. 

Teri mention that she sent out letters to administrators of content area people.  She will need contact information of others.  

Retreat Information

Sue could not be here, but sent an email.  Retreat on July 31-Aug. 2nd.   She asked that people bring cheese and crackers. Teri will put an agenda out which will include  what to bring.

Intellectual Freedom

Kelly announced that she will resign from the board and chairmanship in the spring of 2008.  She is applying for a sabbatical from school and that’s when it will be. 

ME-LIBs items:

Discussed a request on ME-LIBS for a figure to show administrators when budgeting. Teri would like to be able to offer a figure.  School Library Journal states that the average book is $26.60 but there is no per-student figure available.

Discussed the “Libraries not relevant” string on MELIBS.  Kelly suggested doing something to promote what we do, perhaps get statements from students. 

Other:

Gretchen reported that there are 3 candidates for the Taranko award. There are none for administrator of the year.  We discussed the 3 year membership in good standing policy.

Edna noted that we are up to 230 members.  She asked approval to offer a new campaign for memberships next year.  The mailing will go out on Monday for conferences.  She will include a membership form.  There are approximately 800 mailings. 

Edna discussed the need for criteria and/or input on life memberships. 

Possible criteria: long service to the board, past presidents, 1st president, Betty Pattee, Legislative chairs, LMS of the year, (nationally involved or brings prestige to Maine libraries - perhaps honorary member).  Edna will look at the constitution again. 

Jeff on conference.  MLA is discussing splitting conferences, MLA and MASL.  Edna expressed the need for program chairs and structural cleaning up.  Jeff will spend time with an MLA person to work on issues. 

Jeff on Shirts. The company is Outer Banks.  He predicts $25/shirt.  He asked if we should invest in a number of them for the conference.  
Variety of colors.  There will be a flier in conference information that promote the shirts. Jeff asked for money to buy 50 shirts, up to $1250.  The board agreed.
Jeff encouraged a discount for friends/teachers to go to conference and noted that it would be cheaper for both and would help conference financially. 

Edna mentioned making a flier to hand to teachers listing programs. 

Need slate for September.  Need nominating committee, including some who are not on the board. 

The issue of competing programs between school and public libraries was discussed, especially in terms of broader-scope programs like youth services or book awards.

Cony High school will have a new library this year (in September). 

Dutch Treat on Monday night there. 

Kelley asked for another new library for next year’s spring fling. 

Discussed the possibility of two spring flings.  MLA has picked their date, 1st Sat. in May.  Discussed having an earlier date.  First Sat. in April (Apr. 7th)

Need slate for September. New year begins at the end of the conference. 

Need nominating committee, including some who are not on the board. 

Will need to find a treasurer (if Pam is not interested) and 2nd vice president and Donna (if not interested).  Next year, should look for 1st Vice president (does conference).  

Sylvia’s Corner:

New ALA president’s theme is “libraries transform communities.”  Toni suggested becoming pro-active.  Kelly suggested “MASL transforming the learning community” and asked if Innovative grants should be submitted.  Sylvia talked with class of USC cohort.  Course on Info. Technologies.  Had 30 come to her session.  Noticed wide range of perceptions of certification.  Sylvia relayed some of the results of her survey.  She received 269 out of 657 mailings.  Discussed ideas on how to get the survey information to those that need it. 

Dept. Of Ed. has Moodle training sessions on the 8th and 9th which will also be open to teachers.  One will be at the Cross building and one in library building. 

Meeting adjourned 12: 20

Next meeting:  Conference (none in August) because of retreat.  Next normal meeting will be in October.

Joyce Lucas