Winslow High School Library

Present:  Barbara Hammond, Edna Comstock, Marilyn Joyce, Janet E. Patterson, Jeff Small, Eileen Broderick, Gretchen Asam, Teri Caouette, Joyce Lucas

The meeting was called to order by President Teri Caouette at 9:20 AM.  Teri welcomed everyone and thanked Joyce for the use of the new library for the meeting.

Secretary's Report was accepted as presented.

Treasurer's Report:   It was agreed to give $100.00 toward  securing the November conference location.  The treasurer's report was accepted as presented.

Conference Update:  Jeff reported that the building was set and publicity was out.  He will be posting conference information on MELIBS about three times a week.  He asked for any other program materials that people would like to put in the bags.  Edna received about 12 reservations.  She has been getting inquiries through e-mail about certificates, etc.  There has been little reaction to meeting on Friday night prior to the conference. The board discussed the schedule: A welcome by Teri, coffee in the early morning, Toni's address, awards, brunch, business meeting 11:30 to 12:30, Toni's program.  There will be a separate table for life members, both current and new.  Jeff raised the question of having MASL pins made  and sold as a fundraiser.  The business meeting will go as follows:  President's Report, Elections (vice president), Taranko award, Life memberships, annual reports from committee chairs (these should be written and handed in by Oct. 26th).  Gretchen accepted votes on the Taranko award as many had not voted.  She will take votes until October 18th.  Edna was given permission to buy flowers, etc. for decoration.  The hospitality on Friday night will be held at the White House by Dysarts.  Discussed future conferences: day of the week, joint or not, focus group, joint with what groups?

NEEMA:  Sylvia, Nancy, Marilyn, and Teri went to Londonderry, New Hampshire.  Marilyn spoke on the AASL agenda at this meeting.  Sylvia spoke about the Skills ACT.  Nancy reported on workshops.  Marilyn stated that the NEEMA link is on the MASL web site.

NE Reading Association:  Eileen handed out two articles about online reading.  She noted that standardized tests do not assess this skill.  Discussed combining our conference with the Maine Reading Association.  Marilyn would like to re-institute the ad hoc committee on information skills.  It was decided to work on this next summer (separate from the retreat).         Marilyn spoke about NAPE regarding data on online reading.  She mentioned that the U. of Connecticut is collecting data on what kids do online.  The NEEMA conference is on April 4, 2008.  Jeff suggested links on our web site  to the Reading Association conferences, Associations such as AASL, and kept current.  Also, these would be given on MELIBS.

Asides:  Jeff suggested forming an information literacy committee now and then meeting next summer.  Gretchen, Marilyn, Barbara and Eileen offered to serve on this committee.  Nancy Grant will be asked to serve also.  Edna will help as a resource.  Edna offered to investigate Delicious, a social network site, and put bookmarks on it.

Edna noted that she has found that people are joining MASL because of last summer's position papers.

AASL:  Marilyn said that the New England Journal, Volume 33, No. 1, 2007 is on the "new literacies." She suggested having some available to purchase.  Also, School Library Journal has an article on Sue Ballard, Administrator of the Year.  She also mentioned that there is information on the Skills Act on the AASL web site.  NEA has a petition to get rid of NCLB, however, the standards should be available in time for our conference as the Reno conference is October 25th through the 28th.  AASL has a new mission statement on collaboration.  They are now working on guidelines and assessments.  The structure of AASL is changing.

Maine Infonet:  There is a request from Liz Reisz for people to listen to candidates for Karl Beiser's position on October 29th and 30th.  These will be held in Augusta and in Orono.  Jeff offered to go to Augusta on the 29th.

MILTI:  There is information on our web site about the junior high program.  Jeff suggested that high school people be included, perhaps mini workshops.  Teri and Joyce agreed to work as a committee on this.  Nancy will be asked to also serve.

Policies and Procedures:  Jeff asked that we all review our policies and procedures over the next few years and try to make them more specific.  Edna handed out the scholarship policy which needs revision in its presentation, not the information in it.  She will publicize that conference grants of $75.00 are available.  The deadline for submission of these grants is November 2nd.

Other:

• Teri sent out the constitution and this will be voted on at the annual meeting.
• A motion was made and seconded to approve the Life Members document.
• Affiliate Assembly will be held in Philadelphia in the middle of March.
• The meeting was adjourned at 12:00.  The next regular meeting will be held on December 8th [corrected: 11/12/07] at Portland's East End School/Public Library in the Old Port. Directions will be sent. The annual meeting will be at the November conference. 

Respectfully submitted,

Margaret McNamee margaretmc@lamere.net