Massachusetts School Library Association
Executive Summary
May 17, 2017
Virtual Meeting
View Full Minutes
The Executive Board met virtually on May 17 to discuss changes to awards, annual reports, the yearly conference, and changes in board members.
The Awards Committee is looking at making changes to awards in Super Librarian’s and President’s Award to allow candidates to be chosen regardless of region and make it more state-based. These awards would be decided through a subcommittee. In addition, there will now be a third member of the Awards Committee. Every year a new member rotates in, for a two-year term; that way there will be two experienced members and only one who is learning.
Board members are preparing annual reports for June and they will be published on the MSLA website by July 1.
The PLC Committee is considering making changes in its offerings for next year. After holding four small events instead of one yearly conference this year, the committee discovered that the planning is too labor intensive and the attendance has not been as high at the smaller events as it is for the annual conference. This year, MSLA will not be holding the Better Together event. Additionally, MSLA will not be sponsoring EdCamps in the future since the event this year was poorly attended and there are many other similar offerings and EdCamps for the membership to attend.
The Board supports the PLC Committee’s decision to return to the yearly two-day conference format. Planning several events throughout the year proved to be more work and less attendance at the smaller events, while the conference has been a more successful event overall. Having a conference every year gives members a predictable event that they can build into their budgets and plan into their calendars. Some members have suggested that MSLA consider other venues closer to the Worcester area to encourage more members from Western Massachusetts to attend the event.
The Executive Board wants to thank several outgoing members for their service:
A big thank you and farewell to President Anita Cellucci, and welcome to new President Carrie Tucker. During her tenure as President, Anita Cellucci has earned much recognition for her work at Westborough High School, including being selected as a finalist in the School Library Journal’s Librarian of the Year Award Contest in 2016.
Laura D’Elia will be stepping down from her leadership role in the Professional Learning Committee, and Laura Luker, current co-chair, will assume the leadership role. Laura D’Elia has done an outstanding job on the PLC Committee. Laura D’Elia, thank you for all the work you have done for PLC and MSLA.
In recognition of their outstanding commitment to library services at the state and national level, Anita Cellucci and Laura D’Elia have been awarded a Service Award from MSLA this spring.
Chani Craig, Western Massachusetts Co-Area Director, will be moving out of state. Chani Craig also received the Earl McGraw Award recently for creating a welcoming library in her school. Thank you Chani for your service and we wish you all the best.
After serving as our Massachusetts Reading Association (MRA) representative, Kim Cochrane is stepping down. Kim, MSLA appreciates your support and advocacy and wishes you the best in your new endeavors.
Also, thank you to Suzanne Matthews for her service as the Boston Area Co-Director.
Finally, a big thank you to Ariel Dagan for his work revamping the bookmark program and giving members the opportunity to vote.
Happy summer everyone!
Respectfully submitted,
Robyn York
Executive Summary
May 17, 2017
Virtual Meeting
View Full Minutes
The Executive Board met virtually on May 17 to discuss changes to awards, annual reports, the yearly conference, and changes in board members.
The Awards Committee is looking at making changes to awards in Super Librarian’s and President’s Award to allow candidates to be chosen regardless of region and make it more state-based. These awards would be decided through a subcommittee. In addition, there will now be a third member of the Awards Committee. Every year a new member rotates in, for a two-year term; that way there will be two experienced members and only one who is learning.
Board members are preparing annual reports for June and they will be published on the MSLA website by July 1.
The PLC Committee is considering making changes in its offerings for next year. After holding four small events instead of one yearly conference this year, the committee discovered that the planning is too labor intensive and the attendance has not been as high at the smaller events as it is for the annual conference. This year, MSLA will not be holding the Better Together event. Additionally, MSLA will not be sponsoring EdCamps in the future since the event this year was poorly attended and there are many other similar offerings and EdCamps for the membership to attend.
The Board supports the PLC Committee’s decision to return to the yearly two-day conference format. Planning several events throughout the year proved to be more work and less attendance at the smaller events, while the conference has been a more successful event overall. Having a conference every year gives members a predictable event that they can build into their budgets and plan into their calendars. Some members have suggested that MSLA consider other venues closer to the Worcester area to encourage more members from Western Massachusetts to attend the event.
The Executive Board wants to thank several outgoing members for their service:
A big thank you and farewell to President Anita Cellucci, and welcome to new President Carrie Tucker. During her tenure as President, Anita Cellucci has earned much recognition for her work at Westborough High School, including being selected as a finalist in the School Library Journal’s Librarian of the Year Award Contest in 2016.
Laura D’Elia will be stepping down from her leadership role in the Professional Learning Committee, and Laura Luker, current co-chair, will assume the leadership role. Laura D’Elia has done an outstanding job on the PLC Committee. Laura D’Elia, thank you for all the work you have done for PLC and MSLA.
In recognition of their outstanding commitment to library services at the state and national level, Anita Cellucci and Laura D’Elia have been awarded a Service Award from MSLA this spring.
Chani Craig, Western Massachusetts Co-Area Director, will be moving out of state. Chani Craig also received the Earl McGraw Award recently for creating a welcoming library in her school. Thank you Chani for your service and we wish you all the best.
After serving as our Massachusetts Reading Association (MRA) representative, Kim Cochrane is stepping down. Kim, MSLA appreciates your support and advocacy and wishes you the best in your new endeavors.
Also, thank you to Suzanne Matthews for her service as the Boston Area Co-Director.
Finally, a big thank you to Ariel Dagan for his work revamping the bookmark program and giving members the opportunity to vote.
Happy summer everyone!
Respectfully submitted,
Robyn York
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