Maine General Hospital, Augusta

Present: Martha Mitchell, Teri Caouette, Mary Simpson, Fran Haines, Sylvia Norton, Tamara Blesh, Donna Chale, Gerry Crocker, Francie Aley, Eileen Broderick, Gretchen Asam, Nancy B. Grant, Sue Leiter, Cindy Bufithis, Edna Comstock, Margaret McNamee.

PRESIDENT'S REPORT: Nancy B. Grant welcomed everyone and passed around a flyer on the "Maine Libraries: Something for Everyone" PR campaign. She asked everyone to think about a proposal to hire someone to make a two year commitment to represent MASL in Spring Conference planning. This proposal would free the MASL vice president to build more contacts and experience prior to becoming president.

SECRETARY'S REPORT: A printout of the Fall Conference minutes were distributed.

TREASURER'S REPORT: The Treasurer's report was accepted. Anyone who did not turn in receipts from Fall Conference, please turn them in to Donna as soon as possible.
The Maine Student Book Award committee sent a lovely note of thanks to MASL for support.

Jessica Kelley Center for Educational Services in Auburn spoke about her involvement with the "Discover ME" Maine studies online project. She noted that many teachers have complained in the past of the lack resources for Maine studies. In addition, Maine studies are not taught in one universal way. They are mandated for grades 4 and 8; many 11 and 12 graders get Maine history as part of US history; Maine units are also taught in many schools everywhere between grades 3 and 8. This project is a thematic approach to Maine history, utilizing online resources and engaging students through computers, especially laptops. The Center is looking for more schools to pilot the program. Jennifer had flyers to pass out for participation in March or next fall.

A motion was made and seconded to request that we become an official participating partner. It was passed unanimously. Jessica asked us to spread the word about the project and to suggest links for the website. It was suggested that an introduction to the project would make a great Spring Conference workshop.

Gerry Crocker reviewed the work that she has been doing with the committee of Francie Aley, Suzan Nelson, and Eileen Broderick. They started with strategies to promote librarian/teacher collaboration and templates that could be used to create lesson plans for different grade levels and subject areas, and for librarians with either a flexible or fixed schedule. The templates have both information standards and assessments, with special attention to rubrics.

Gerry introduced her website at http://info.poland-hs.u29.k12.me.us with much of the committee work in addition to her own work. She talked about "planning backward," essential questions, senior celebrations, exhibitions and the comprehensive assessment system. She showed the Information Literacy rubric created with her teachers, strongly promoted by them, and incorporated into the student handbook. She also talked about her collaboration rubric continuum. Gerry and the committee are still working to organize the links into categories and to alphabetize them. They also want to add a page on technology integration. The committee is anxious to give MASL members a place to share things that work. However, there is some hesitation about posting while it is still a work in progress. Directions for members to submit things to Gerry and Gail will be posted to the listserv. The Board was very impressed with the outstanding work of the committee!

Cindy Bufithis, the new Standards Chair, talked about discussions on the listserv. It was suggested that subject headings are important to distinguish topics especially of interest to school libraries. Please email Cindy about needs or concerns regarding the Standards Committee cbufithis@sad60.k12.me.us

Laptops were discussed. Content leaders will represent 9 areas. Distinguished Educators will work with schools. A Maine Educational Technology forum was announced for Dec 18 in Portland. Funding for laptops for school librarians was discussed.

Nancy asked everyone to make a commitment to do something for MASL in place of attending a January meeting. A few of the ideas included contacting legislators, attending the  DOE meeting about retirement issues, writing to Stephen King and Governor-elect Baldacci about laptops, etc.

Also discussed were the comprehensive educational plans for schools due by June 30, and a letter to principals saying that passwords to turn off MSLN filters should be available to technology coordinators and librarians.

Respectfully submitted,

Margaret McNamee, Secretary