 |
 |
|
November 2002
|
| Have a newsworthy item? Comments? Questions? Contact Paula Byrne, editor |
November 2002
Dorothy K. McQuillan
Greetings!
I hope all of you enjoyed the conference as much as I did, and found many “goodies” to take back to your libraries. Having the handouts posted on the website is so convenient, too. And although it is difficult to leave school, I think we really need to connect with each other and share our experiences. It is always good to see people in person so we can put faces on those listserv names.
The featured presenters that I saw were wonderful. Pam Berger is just unbelievable! She can pack so much information into a short amount of time. I thought she was a perfect follow up to last year’s workshops by Joyce Kazman Valenza. Will Hobbs was fascinating with his intermingling of history and fiction. I felt spellbound after the Sunday morning presentation. And Michael Parent was so clever to weave a story into his address to us. Unfortunately, I didn’t see Paul Gagne, Brenda Edusei or Gale Eaton, but I am sure that they were also equally worthwhile.
I thought one of the best new additions was the regional meetings. We need to strengthen the role of the area directors and build a strong alliance within the regions. Ann is working on putting a special section on our webpage that will better enable people in the regions to get to know each other. In addition to meeting the librarians, I was especially glad to meet Rob Maier, the new executive director of the MBLC. It is my intent to try to keep the lines of communication open between MSLMA and MBLC, so that we can avoid any future turmoil like that created by the proposed changes in the requirements for membership in the regional library system. It is so much easier to communicate with someone you have met rather than someone who is just a name on a page. I want to thank all of you who have testified and/or written letters. Remember, it is not too late, so if you haven’t done so yet, please use some of the letters posted as guides and write or email.
In the next few weeks, Ann and I will be working on a position statement concerning the elimination of school librarians in the budget crunches that almost all the towns and cities are facing. Somehow, I have the feeling that this is going to get worse before it gets better, and I think we should be prepared for whatever comes along. If you have any suggestions for us, feel free to email us.
On a lighter note, the holidays are coming and it is always a joyfully frantic time of year. Thanksgiving brings families and friends together and all those college students come back to their high schools to reconnect with their old friends. Then come Hanukkah and Christmas and all those other celebrations that center around the winter solstice. So however you choose to celebrate these occasions, please take with you my best wishes for a happy holiday season.
Dorothy
Comments or Questions?