2007 MAINE LIBRARIES CONFERENCE POSTPONED

FOR STUDY AND IMPROVEMENT

This yearÕs Maine Libraries Conference has been postponed due to feedback from Library Association members. The conference, a joint production of the Maine Association of School Libraries and the Maine Library Association, has been put on hold in an effort to provide members with the best possible continuing education and professional development opportunities. This decision was the result of deliberations held this spring including consultation with both Association Boards, the Maine Libraries Conference Committee, and staff. All agreed that the Maine Libraries Conference is no longer meeting the needs of librarians in our state.

According to the presidents of both groups, the goal now is to examine the worthiness of the current model, a joint conference run informally by a volunteer committee made up of members of both Associations. Based on these evaluations, a committee will construct an improved professional development and networking option for MaineÕs library community. The evaluation process will include a general call for feedback from the library community, research on conferencing events in other states, focus groups and informal visits to outlying libraries.

In making this decision, the sub-committee did not take lightly the concerns of the Association Boards that each group should still provide a continuing education opportunity for members in the fall or spring. Nikki Maounis and Sarah Sugden will be working on an MLA event while Teri Caouette and Jeff Small have agreed to organize MASLÕs program. Watch for more information on these events.

Work on re-evaluating the conference is already underway. Both groups have adopted the following mission statement for the conference: The Maine Libraries Conference is a state-wide collaborative opportunity to celebrate, support, and strengthen librarianship in Maine.

Both Associations will be contacting membership directly for input as well as reaching out to those who may not have attended conference. If you are interested and able to assist in this evaluation, please contact Edna Comstock at mlc1@gwi.net for more information.