Sept.

2002

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Setting the Stage for Success
Joan Collins, Co-Chair 2002 MSLMA Conference
Oct. 27 and 28
Sturbridge, MA

Want to update your technology skills? Listen to a well-known children's author? Find out what's new in children's books? Learn how to have fun in the media center? No?! Rather get a makeover?

You can do all of the above and even learn how to dress for success with image consultant Brenda Edusei at the 2002 Annual MSLMA Conference, October 27 and 28, at the Sturbridge Host.

This year's featured speaker is Pam Berger, who has been at the forefront of our profession. Pam's webpage, guides the way to power searching. Pam has published a guide to writing webpages as well as a web evaluation guide. She has served as the Iconnect task force chair and is currently the technology consultant working with the Robinhood Foundation and New York City to transform inner city school libraries. She publishes Information Searcher and has frequently conducted workshops at ALA and AASL. Her keynote address, "The Educator's Tool Box" will speak to the demands of teaching and learning in the new millennium.

You will also have the opportunity to hear Will Hobbs, author of Jason's Gold and Bearstone and other award winning novels which appeal to the adventure loving reader. Will is a former reading and language arts teacher and has put together a website with some of his own suggestions on how to use his novels.

Michael Parent, will offer a storytelling workshop as well as enthrall us with his tales. Teri Schmidt, owner of The Children's Book Shop in Brookline, will update us on great new children's titles, while Cathy Mercier of Simmons College will cover young adult books. Judy Mitchell from one of Natick's elementary schools will share her formula for having fun in the library. Her tricks include populating the bookshelves with Egyptian-garbed crocodiles and green-haired Araboolies.

Conference participants will also learn how the Cambridge Public Schools collaborated to foster professional creativity and to expand teachers' tools and strategies for implementing innovative research projects.

A session has been designated to provide meeting time with each of the Massachusetts Library Regions offering an opportunity to discuss databases and training among other topics.

We'll also receive an update on current legislation, copyright, and Model School Rubrics as well as our ever-popular JobAlike sessions.