Maine State Library

Present: Suzan Nelson, Walter Taranko, Sylvia Norton, Tamara Blesh, Edna Comstock, Abigail Garthwait, Teri Caouette, Donna Chale, Nancy Grant and Margaret McNamee.

PRESIDENT'S REPORT:

Suzan opened the meeting with a welcome to Teri Caouette, from Lincoln Middle School in Portland, who is the new chair of continuing education for the MASL board. Walter will consult with Teri and go over the evaluations from the Fall Conference which asked for suggested continuing education presentations. We are looking for short, one-shot workshops on topics like automation (decisions, options, and basics), weeding, support staff training, and collaboration between public and school libraries.

THE SECRETARY'S REPORT: was accepted.

THE TREASURER'S REPORT: was accepted. The auction proceeds from Spring Conference were received. Expenses for the Fall Conference were under $500. About 30 people attended. The supplies budget has been overspent, partly due to the purchase of video tapes for the Senior Celebration video. No amount was budgeted for continuing education, but postage for this year could come out of the general postage budget, or might be subsidized by the Maine State Library because of its interest in SACCE type offerings. The James McCampbell Award will not be given this year. Income for the year was $12,064.00. Expenses for the year were $4,082.15. Membership invoices will be sent.

FIRST VICE PRESIDENT'S REPORT:

Nancy Grant reminded everyone that a Spring Conference meeting will follow the December board meeting. 50 + programs have already been arranged and additional forms were distributed. We are still looking for about 30 additional programs. Areas of interest will be posted to the listserv. Food and prices will be added to the registration form. Then, it will be posted to the listserv and web page. The notation concerning a $10 processing fee for refund checks had been overwritten, but will be included.

SECOND VICE President's REPORT:

Joyce Wheeler was ill, but Suzan reported that Joyce's efforts for the Fall Conference produced excellent results. Ed Roche did a good, clear job with the EBSCO training. Most schools have had great success with accessing the databases, although the speed definitely decreases at peak use times. (Portland has experienced ongoing, frustration with access and speed). PR concerning the database funding has been posted to the listserv by Karl Beiser and Linda Lord.

TECHNOLOGY CHAIR:

Tamara Blesh is a member of Maine State Library Task Force set up by the State Librarian to re-institute service with UMO as the service provider.

There is a fund of $7 million dollars, some of which may be used to upgrade to a T1 line. There will be an important presentation on December 11 between 9 and 10 at the south capitol entrance to demonstrate the databases to the Governor's Task Force. Legislator Sharon Treat continues to support the library community.

The lap top issue is still being discussed. It is hoped that the PUC might be willing to use some money to support server farms, and Edna hopes that money will be available to help with e-rates.

Tamara discussed presentation of online library oriented courses similar to the American Institute for Creative Education which does not presently offer library courses. ($400 for three credits).

Abigail Garthwait and Tamara will meet to work on new offerings for the web page. Board e-mail addresses will be posted to the web page. Abigail asked that people send specific postings for the web page separately to her and reminded people that directions for the ME-LIB digest format are on the web page.

INFORMATION SKILLS COMMITTEE:

Audrey is away for two months.

NEMA:

Sylvia Norton reported on the NEEMA leadership conference with Heidi Jacobson's excellent presentation on curriculum mapping. She encouraged everyone to attend the NEEMA 2001 Fall Conference.

OLD BUSINESS

Walter spoke about standards. The facilities standards have recently been redone. He is looking for a standards chair and a small committee who would come to 2-3 meetings, meet with our executive board, possibly talk to some supportive superintendents, and meet with the State Board of Education. The Essential Services document was discussed. Issues include building v. district needs, small district v. large district needs, and minimal v. optimal levels (perhaps shown through a rubric). Gail Garthwait was appointed to be the MASL liaison to the State Board of Education.

The following board positions are still vacant: archivist, legislative chair, standards, IFC, support staff.

Suzan had additional Chantons CDs to distribute to school libraries.

The alert regarding the Bangor Assessment has been posted to the web page and to the listserv.

NEW BUSINESS

Legislative Day activities will be April 28 to May 2. A room has been booked for A MASL representative.

Maine Entry was discussed. It appears that our needs for Maine Entry have changed. We need to assess where to go from here. How often should it be published? Should it be more in-depth? Could it be sent via e-mail? Should the listserv have a Maine Entry abstract? Could information on scholarships and the Library Media Specialist of the year applications be sent out with the Spring Conference registration materials? A survey with ideas rated on a Likert scale could also be sent with Spring Conference registration materials. Information about membership and scholarship requirements could be sent separately to new USC program participants. Donna will track MASL payments for Maine Entry.

The Maine Student Book Award Committee approached MASL about a non-profit number. The possibilities of incurring liability and audit problems by involving our non profit number were discussed. No motion was passed. Suzan will contact Margie Soule about the process of applying for a non profit number.

Items to be brainstormed in January: memberships brochures and packets, highlights of our web page information, thank your for support, MASL PR, ideas for changing Maine Entry, contribution to Maine Library Fund.

NEXT MEETING: The next MASL board meeting will be January 6 in Augusta.

Respectfully submitted

Margaret McNamee margaretmc@lamer.net