Maine State Library Conference Room
December 11, 1999

Present: Suzan Nelson, Nancy Grant, Gretchen Asam, Donna Chale, Sylvia Norton, Audrey Conant, Shelly Swazy, Tamara Blesh, Walter Taranko, Margaret McNamee.

THE SECRETARY'S REPORT: November 6 minutes were not available.

THE TREASURER'S REPORT: 1999/2000 year to date income was $8,021.00; expenses for November were $311.32. The fall conference was successful educationally and financially.
Concern was expressed about outstanding membership dues payments
There will not be an expense for a lobbyist this year.
An invoice of $300 for MSBA is anticipated, but not yet received.

1ST VP'S REPORT: Nancy Grant reported that there will be a spring conference committee meeting following the MASL Board Meeting. The conference will be held in Augusta for a full day on Sunday and Monday. Tuesday will be a post conference day for other educators as well as librarians covering presentations on E-rate, Facility/Construction, and Collection Development. The cost for the spring conference will be about the same as it was for last year, but Tuesday's registration and fee will be additional. A question regarding a reduced fee for conference attendees who stay for the post conference offerings will be referred to the committee.

Discussion was held concerning the importance of awards and of speakers with suggestions to respect and accommodate the needs of all within a practicable format. Awards specific to MLA and MASL will be handled whenever possible during the respective business meetings. The Board voted unanimously to recommend to the spring conference committee that a speaker on children's issues be featured during Monday lunch; that a workshop on trend's in children's literature and/or new children's books be scheduled for the first block after lunch; and that a reception event for the Lupine and MSBA awards be scheduled for the last block on Monday afternoon. No other children's topics will be offered during the reception time slot. (It was suggested that Monday's luncheon dessert could be served at the reception event). Publicity for all awards will be available for conference and for local news coverage.

Sunday night will feature an impersonator of historical figures; Sunday noon's program will be international music or dancers; someone from the Governor's office (perhaps Mary Herman) will be with us either Saturday night or Monday night.

The spring conference committee welcomes all suggestions for workshop presenters and topics. The "in process collaboration" model used by presenters with discussion, handouts, and sharing at the fall conference was well received and recommended for future use. Teachers, students and librarians with exciting projects should be encouraged to present. E-mail Benita with names of anyone willing to participate in a Maine Authors' showcase. Suzan offered to do a presentation on "Best Practices."

Nancy has an extensive list of requested topics from last spring's evaluations (teen programs, books for babies, special collections, working with Ed Techs, research, genealogy, etc.).

The committee is looking for someone willing to work on the layout of the program booklet.

2ND VP's REPORT: Gretchen Asam reported that the fall conference was an outstanding success: fantastic programs, excellent food, sellout registration! Connie Mantor was energetic and informative.

An agenda item for the January meeting will be to brainstorm ways to collaborate with Connie in the future regarding MEAs.

A motion was passed that the fall conference registration form note that no refunds will be possible. A notation on the spring conference form will note that there will be a $10 fee for refunds.

The spring conference auction without the raffle raised almost the same amount of money with far less energy expended.

INFORMATION SKILLS COMMITTEE: Audrey Conant reported that the committee redirected their focus to a design down format from senior exit standards though the whole K-12 continuum. The committee will work on ways to support teacher/librarian collaboration in projects that move students from learning simple access methods and producing products with supervision to applying and displaying full mastery of research process skills. Walt and Audrey have been visiting schools (Berwick, Gorham and Yarmouth) and collecting data. It was suggested that they contact Mollie Schen in Auburn who has been working on what will take the place of Carnegie units and on research as a "cross-cutting" standard.

There was discussion about the danger of "pre-selecting" Internet resources in place of teaching students to evaluate websites and to make responsible decisions.

Audrey and Gail have been working on the MASL webpage adding Harry Potter activities, new and old Samplers, and monthly "POW!" items. Board members are urged to submit news blurbs. There will be an open, user-friendly MSBA forum similar to the Amazon and the Barnes and Noble review requests. Gail and Audrey have been working on permissions for graphics with mixed responses from publishers like National Geographic and Scholastic.

Audrey showcased "Child Labor is not Cheap." Recently published by The Resource Center of the Americas, it is a result of Amy Sanders' master's degree project done in conjunction with Shelly Swazy and Audrey at Lincoln Academy. The publisher has granted permission for us to publish excerpts and a page aligning the guide to the Maine Learning Results on our webpage.

Audrey announced that the Asgard Foundation approved a $200 grant to buy quality English textbooks to be sent to libraries in Morocco and a $200 grant to purchase and send copies of "Child Labor is not Cheap" to Maine higher education institutes as models for education students.

OLD BUSINESS: Due to time constraints agenda items under old business were not discussed.

NEEMA REPORT: Sylvia Norton reported that although there are ongoing concerns about NEEMA's stance on some issues (shared by other member states like RI), she felt that MASL still benefits from NEEMA contacts and positioning. Sylvia invited any interested Board members to accompany her to future meetings. Sylvia and Michelle Adams attended a useful NEEMA sponsored conference. The BED (Book Examination Day) was mentioned as a helpful resource.

It was reported that Massachusetts has hired a lobbyist for the first time.

Connecticut is experiencing a severe shortage of certified librarians and will allow teachers with a master's degree and experience in a literature based program to receive cross endorsement as school librarians.

Walter noted that many Maine school librarians are retiring and certification of this type may be considered here. He also announced that the USC MLIS program will return to Maine in Fall, 2000.

The NEEMA Board voted to give $200 to defray expenses for a Region 1 AASL Director to attend national meetings. All NEEMA member states have been asked to contribute. No vote was taken on Maine's response.

Upcoming NEEMA meetings include a virtual meeting on Feb. 5. It was suggested that we might arrange a phone call from our Board meeting on that day.

Upcoming CEMA workshops on implementing Information Power include:

NEW BUSINESS: Suzan reported that she has been invited to a meeting in Augusta on Monday, December 13 to discuss needs and possible uses for unexpended state funds to assist educators across the board in the areas of education, technology, computers and hardware.

It was noted that an expense of up to $1000 may be needed to send a board member for training in implementing Information Power this summer. It was agreed that if Sylvia Norton is able and willing to go, the Board wishes to support her. It is important that our voice be heard in the graduation/exit skills activities arena.

Lori Patterson has resigned as secretary; Margaret McNamee will fill that position. It is hoped that Tricia Gordon will serve as the new PR person.

OLD BUSINESS: Due to time constraints old business items were not discussed.

NEXT MEETING: The next MASL board meeting will be January 8, 2000 at the Maine State Library.

Respectfully submitted,

Margaret McNamee margaretmc@lamere.net