Maine State Library

Present: Suzan Nelson, Nancy Grant, Audrey Conant, Donna Chale, Abigail Garthwait, Francie Aley, Sylvia Norton, Joyce Wheeler, Edna Comstock, Walter Taranko, Margaret McNamee

THE SECRETARY'S REPORT: was accepted.

THE TREASURER'S REPORT: was accepted. Scholarship assets show $1,023.09 in savings. Money has not yet been received from the spring scholarship auction. Operating assets show $9,023.67 in the checking account, $17,976.24 in a CD for a total of $26, 999.91. Maine Entry bill for 1999-2000 is still outstanding. Conference receipt of $7000 is also outstanding. Remaining budget sheets need to be submitted before Fall Conference so that Donna can bring a completed budget to the next meeting.

ACTEM associate membership moneys were discussed. Edna and Donna will confirm ACTEM dues collection and forward to ACTEM. Sylvia will send Gail information about associate ACTEM membership to post on the webpage and Edna will put a reminder about MASL dues on ME-LIBS. A current MASL dues list was passed around. SMLD has offered us space to put membership information and brochures at the next SMLD meeting. A discussion followed about the need for cooperation, collaboration, and turf-sharing between technologists and librarians. Sometimes technologists donÕt realize what excellent partners and leaders librarians can be because of our education and background in technology issues and in teaching the use of information. The Maine Education 2000 Technology Conference on Oct. 13 sponsored by ACTEM was primarily attended by librarians. Hopefully, Tamara Blesh and David Anderson will join Susan Allison on the GovernorÕs Technology Task Force.

PRESIDENT'S REPORT:

After a discussion about opening attachments and finding files with Pine/Saturn/telnet, the Board looked at the Maine Teacher of the Year Award (MTYA) application process to model/adapt our award process, especially in the areas of PR and celebrating the finalist as well as the other applicants. Since it is likely that many School Library Media Specialists (SLMS) would hesitate to begin the self application process, it was decided that our board will make personal contacts with the administrators of our prior SLMS award winners to offer our application-ready portfolios and to ask them to encourage their library media specialists to apply for the MTYA. Prior SLMS winners will be asked for suggestions. An article will be submitted to Apprise, the PrincipalsÕ Association newsletter. The application forms for our award will be moved to the webpage (Board members are asked to make suggested any changes to Sylvia Norton). [Sylvia noted that the MASL webpage has been cited for excellence!] Suzan introduced Joyce Wheeler, acting second vice president.

FIRST VICE PRESIDENT'S REPORT:

It was noted that the many messages about the ÒTrailsÓ theme on ME-LIBS help to promote awareness of Spring Conference. 25 programs have already been arranged and additional forms were distributed. The next conference meeting will be Friday, November 17 at MMA, following the MLA board meeting. A conference committee meeting will follow the MASL meeting in December.

There was discussion about reaching new school and public librarians throughout the state to inform them about MASL and the Spring Conference. Suzan will try to get contact names and phone numbers from the jobs listing to follow up on new hires. SMLD does an orientation for new librarians. The new listing of school librarians will be available in January 01. It was voted to give complimentary subscriptions to Maine entry to USC distance program professors to help them inform students. UMA library course professors probably already receive it.

SECOND VICE PRESIDENTÕS REPORT:

Scarborough High School Librarian Joyce Wheeler reported on plans for the Fall Conference to be held at Scarborough High School on November 4. Continental breakfast from Barbara's Kitchen will precede the business meeting. EBSCO training will follow. An optional hands-on period is scheduled for the afternoon. 10-12 computers in the library and two labs of 20 computers each will be available. It was suggested that the MASL webpage could have a FAQ file from the workshop covering tips, unfamiliar terms and answers to questions. A Maine Student Book Awards display will be on hand at the conference.

INFORMATION SKILLS COMMITTEE:

Audrey spoke about the senior celebration work she has been doing in conjunction with Poland Springs High School and several other schools with similar projects. A motion was passed to pay AudreyÕs registration to the Essential Schools Fall Forum in Providence, RI, a conference about work similar to MaineÕs Promising Futures. Audrey has contacted the Maine PrincipalÕs Association to do presentations about the senior celebrations next year. She is also looking at projects for the last year of ELM funding. Board members were urged to look at what is being done this year that could go into a Òbest practicesÓ webpage next year. Asking Audrey to visit as an Òoutside expertÓ was highly recommended. Tony Buzzeo is also looking for librarians willing to contribute information about collaborative projects for inclusion in her new book on teacher/librarian collaboration.

NEMA:

Sylvia Norton reported on the NEEMA leadership conference with Heidi JacobsonÕs excellent presentation on curriculum mapping. Sylvia stressed the importance of maintaining the link to NEEMA and mentioned their 2001 Fall conference which will undoubtedly feature another outstanding speaker. Sylvia also spoke about initial teacher certification and the implications for librarian certification issues: proficiency test, mentoring, portfolio, practicum, student teaching, managerial aspect with classroom experience.

OLD BUSINESS

The following board positions are open: archivist, certification co-chair, continuing education chair, standards chair, support staff chair, intellectual freedom chair. Tamara Blesh has accepted the position of technology chair for the board.

NEW BUSINESS

Edna May Comstock, our "E-Rate Queen," got a well-deserved standing ovation at the ACTEM conference! She has approached a printer about laser membership cards. There will be a mailing for membership renewals. Maine Entry submissions go to Edna this week. Superintendents will be receiving hot pink envelopes regarding MSLN. To continue for next year with the status as of June 30, 2000, return the form to Edna. Forms 470 and 471 must be filed for arrangement with cable providers. An alert will be posted to the MASL webpage about the Bangor Assessment program which calls for school and public libraries to remove selected books from shelves to ensure students' "cold readings" for assessment purposes. Suzan distributed copies of National Library Media Standards.

NEXT MEETING: The next MASL board meeting will be Nov. 4 at Scarborough High School.

Respectfully submitted [and all due forgiveness given!]

Margaret McNamee margaretmc@lamer.net