The MAME Executive Committee, Board and general membership have been very busy. I'm exhausted just looking at the list of accomplishments, projects nearly completed, projects about to begin and the implementation of the strategic plan. This is a good time to update members on all of the above since we are starting a new year.

MAME REMC Video Project

One accomplishment that MAME members can be very proud of is the completion of the MAME REMC Video Project. Late last year the REMC Association contacted MAME and asked if MAME members could review approximately 400 videos in the REMC collections. The content of the videos was to be correlated to the GLCEs and the HSCEs. MAME was paid to complete the reviews and 60% of the money went to the reviewers in the form of stipends.

"MAME Interactive"

As the new President of MAME I would like to start a new feature on the MAME website called "MAME Interactive." This will be a place where members can go to find links to free online courses and to helpful resources like the curriculum standards, lesson plans contributed by members and important websites. We will also periodically post a question to the membership regarding technology, standards and other topics regarding media center programs.  MAME Interactive will be the place to go to on the MAME website to share, create and locate great information from the MAME membership.

In addition to completing projects and working on ongoing projects and goals this year we also have our professional development events coming up. Please mark your calendars for the MAME Spring Conference Weekend with Blanche Woolls in Ypsilanti, March 28-29. We also hope to see you at the Summer Workshop in Lansing on July 14 or 15 and the MAME 35 Annual Conference in Dearborn, November 5-7.

Please visit the MAME website regularly for more information on MAME activities, the directory, job listings and information on the association. It's going to be another busy year for MAME. We can look forward to more achievements, initiatives and advocacy and we couldn't do it without you! Thank you.

"A life-changing experience" declares Barbara Jones Clark, describing her experience on the Newbery committee.  She was first notified of her appointment at the end of ALA in 2006.  Approximately 450-500 books arrived on her porch throughout the year of reading.  Many were not considered after reading a few chapters to discover they did not meet the guidelines, others were read multiple times looking for different criteria.  The committee met at ALA in 2007 and again at Midwinter.  They kept in close contact throughout the year electronically.  Each month titles were submitted for consideration from members.  Twice each committee member submitted 3 titles and justification for their nomination. 

In January 2008, the committee met to make the final decision with an agenda listing the recommended titles, and allowed time to discuss each of the possibilities.  Each committee member was assigned 2-3 titles to introduce to the group, with discussion following.  Any question as to content was addressed by content specialists to verify accuracy.

Voting can take place multiple times, with points assigned:  1^st-4 pts., 2^nd-3 pts., and 3^rd place receiving 2 pts.  The winner must have at least 8 first place votes and must be a minimum of 8 points above the second place title.  Any title not receiving votes is automatically eliminated.  If there is not a clear winner, the vote takes place again, after another round of discussion, with only new insights revealed.

Barbara admits that she had a few doubts, but the process really works.  Using the criteria clearly laid out, the winner this year is "Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Voices from a Medieval Village," by Laura Amy Schlitz.  Honor books were:  Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis, The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt, and Feathers by Jacqueline Woodson. 

Congratulations Barbara!