Executive Summary Minutes Board Meeting 1-15-2019

Massachusetts School Library Association 
Executive Board meeting  January 15, 2019 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Virtual Meeting

Attending:
Allison Barker, Co-Director Southeast Region
Michael Caligiuri, Co-Director Central Region
Jennifer Dimmick, Secretary
Patsy Divver, Co-Director Metrowest Region
Maria D’Orsi, Co-Director Metrowest Region
Deeth Ellis, Advocacy Co-Chair
Barb Fecteau, Co-Director Northeast Area
Pat Fontes, Awards
Christi Farrar, MLS
Wendy Garland, Awards
Alida Hanson, Professional Learning
Emily Kristofek, Office Manager
Laura Luker, President
April Mazza, MLS G
Greg Pronevitz, Director of Outreach
Claudia Palframan, Co-Director West Region 
Reba Tierney, Forum Co-Editor
Carrie Tucker, Past President
Pamela Vallee, Co-Director Central Region 
Morgan VanCleef, Co-Director Boston Region
Jen Varney, Treasurer
Alex Woznick, Professional Learning

Reports and minutes of November meeting were approved.

Advocacy report --- Greg Pronevitz, Deeth Ellis, and/or Georgina Trebbe
Deeth, Greg and Georgina are presenting at the MSLA conference about advocacy. The team is working on creating an opportunity for attendees to be able to participate in the action plan during the conference, which is a few days before legislative day, by contacting their legislators. They are investigating software options with MLS. The team is also arranging  group meetings with legislators on legislative day, including virtual participation options with a few key legislators, so look out for a request to participate/call in. 
Keep an eye out for legislative breakfast dates and try to attend; tell Greg Pronevitz if you can make it so he can try to get you on the agenda. Planning breakfasts in Dorchester and Dennis/Yarmouth. 

The advocacy materials hosted on the Salem State LibGuide ( the “Self Assessment tool” and/or the customizable slideshow to compare a district to study’s findings) haven’t gotten much traffic, so the team is trying to encourage more use and outreach. Deeth Ellis will be meeting with Sue Doherty from MTA about how to conduct a census of school librarians in the state. More to come. 

The MSLA Board has endorsed the MBLC legislative agenda publicly. 

MLS Update -- April Mazza  Peabody Institute in Danvers hosting a legislative brunch on February 28th 10 AM, and Senator Joan B. Lovely will attend
Because of generous funding with previous budget MLS was able to purchase new databases:  3 from Proquest plus Gale Research in Context and Gale Opposing Viewpoints. While MLS recognizes that schools want more early education products, this budget needed to be spent with Gale and Proquest this year.  Staffing changes: Scott Kehoe has been promoted to Library Resources Director (continuing his role with MassCAT), Amanda Fauver has been promoted to Membership and BiblioTemps Manager, and Sarah Donnelly has been promoted to Event and Program Manager 

Awards updates --- Wendy Garland, Pat Fontes, and Ingrid Mayyasi
Award recommendations to be presented to the Board at the February meeting. 

Formation of a nominating committee - Carrie Tucker A nominating committee was formed for the next MSLA president, a process that occurs every other year.

Professional Learning  --- Alida Hanson and Alix Woznick, as well as Emily Kristofek for conference logistics Registration and Sched are up and running.

More transition news - the future of MSLA Greg Pronevitz is retiring again, as is his wife, so will not renew his position as communications and outreach specialist for MSLA.

​Other news from board members
Carrie Tucker - at the last affiliate assembly meeting for AASL Carrie agreed to be regional representative (not director; that’s Anita). She participated in a virtual meeting with all the regional representatives to get everyone ready for the meeting in Philadelphia. They are considering changing the name of Affiliate Assembly as part of a larger reorganization of AASL. There is concern about gain or loss of power/voice within ALA. The group is not being consulted about the structural changes, just the name change. ALA SCOE is the name of the project (organizational effectiveness): https://connect.ala.org/communities/community-home?CommunityKey=16858b1c-4cf3-491c-8c9c-d9dccea4703d if people want to learn more.

Reba thanked those who responded to her survey on the Forum, as she is happy to report 57 responses.

Upcoming events 

3/29-30/20 MSLA conference, “We Can Do It: School Libraries Build Strong Communities”, Sheraton Framingham Hotel & Conference Center 4/2/20 Library Legislative Day, Boston

Respectfully submitted,
Jennifer Dimmick