News from Michigan Association for Media in Education

MEDIA MATTERS!

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October

2009

In this Issue

From the President

Thoughts from Tim

Meet Lynn Gordon

AASL Nov 5-8

Beginning School

Author! Author!

From the President

by Kathleen McBroom

Full fall is upon us, which means t'is the season for our annual MAME conference. The MAME leadership has been touting the professional growth opportunities and intellectual merit of heading up to Traverse City for MAME 36: We Make a Difference! I've been urging everyone to go ahead and indulge themselves with some well-earned personal time to relax, renew, and rejuvenate. As I reflect on all these benefits I can't help but think back on my many wonderful conference experiences, over the years. I hope you'll indulge me while I reminisce for a bit...

My very first MAME conference - 1977? Is that possible? I remember it was a joint MLA/MAME endeavor, and I got to shake hands with one of my all-time favorites - our keynoter, CBS news correspondent Charles Kuralt. Just the first of many inspiring brushes with greatness!

Jump forward a decade or so - 1988. My first conference contribution: a "Dress for Success" fashion show, courtesy of Lord and Taylor. BIG hair. REALLY BIG shoulder pads!

Fast forward through the '90s. Exact dates blur but memories remain crisp. One year down in Detroit, where our evening's entertainment was that great Motown R&B group, the Sun Messengers. Was that the same year we had the mass media specialist Macarena extravaganza? And another evening, on the other side of the state, telling spooky stories by candlelight, with the dancing flames eerily echoed throughout the multi-mirrored Pantlind Ballroom.

The best ever? 2005, perhaps? That was the year of the MAMEiac Book Cart Drill Team, complete with boas and top hats!

We coaxed those blues right out of the horn for a wonderfully appreciative audience (and probably set back musical theater for at least a hundred years).

I'm sure those of you who have attended previous conferences have your share of great memories, too. Why not create some more? Come if you can, whether it's your first conference or your 36th. Hope to see you in Traverse City!

Kathleen McBroom

Thoughts from Tim ...

Executive Director Tim Staal

"May you live in interesting times." We do. I was attending the Library of Michigan board meeting in Lansing and receiving an update on the financial situation concerning libraries and schools here in Michigan. I came away from that meeting with a couple of thoughts:

We make a difference. As folks were sharing the updates on the situation, it became clear to me that we make a difference in our own lives when we communicate with our legislators. Many folks in Lansing we surprised by the number of letters, phone calls, and email they received supporting funding for libraries, MEL and schools. And the communications that had the greatest impact were those that talked about how school libraries or a librarian or MEL made a difference in an individuals life. We need to keep talking to our legislators in this crucial budget allocating time. An easy way to do this is through MLA's advocacy tools on their website: http://www.mla.lib.mi.us/advocacy

Necessity is the mother of innovation. One of the board members was relating a story of attending a library conference at a very prestigious well-known private university which shall remain nameless. She was relating how well funded and staffed their libraries were with a shockingly low ratio of students to professional library staff (less than 100 students per staff!). In spite of their staffing and funding, their programs were fairly routine and traditional. They had never had to strive to find new and better ways to provide service to their students and faculty using less money.

I know we are all concerned about the funding situation in the state as a whole and in schools and libraries and media centers in particular. We'll know more soon. In the meantime, let's keep advocating for better funding and staffing, but also keep innovating and collaborating to provide better services for our students and teachers. We can do this best by continuing to be involved with each other, attending the MAME conference if we can, and if we cannot, then renewing our MAME memberships, organizing and attending regional MAME events, and encouraging our colleagues to do so too.
Thanks!
Tim

Meet MAME's 2010 President

Lynn Gordon, Clarkston Schools

Many of you probably recognize Lynn Gordon's smiling face. Lynn agreed to answer a few questions so that MAME members might get to know her better.

1. How long have you been a MAME member? Is this your first "job"for MAME, or have you been active in another role?
I've been a MAME member since my first year employed as a media specialist, when the high school media specialist told me "You have to go to the MAME conference with me!" That was in the fall of 1994, and the conference was in Traverse City that year too. I have attended every conference since then.

Regarding activities in MAME, I served on the conference committee for a number of years as Headquarters chair. I continue to have people come up to me at the conference to ask me questions because they recognize me as the person who helped them in the past. When I stepped down from Headquarters chair, I became the conference committee secretary, because I had to stay "in the know". I also served on the MAME board as Marketing chair for two years.

2. Could you tell us a little bit about your current position?
I am currently MAME's President-elect. My primary duty is to Chair the Conference Committee. I have a fantastic committee doing all of the real work of planning the conference, I just have to make sure that the kinks get worked out, and the fine details are ironed out. It is a challenging, yet rewarding job. I am looking forward to October 21, when the conference is underway, and everyone is having a good time. I am also waiting in anticipation for phase two of my three year term!

3. Where you are from? Grew up? Went to school?
I grew up in Essexville, just outside of Bay City. It was a great area to grow up in, and now visit as an adult. I am a proud alumnus of Central Michigan University (Fire up, Chips!), where I received my undergrad and a Master's of Educational Technology. I also attended Wayne State University, where I received my Master's in Library and Information Science. I currently live in Waterford and teach in Clarkston, two more fantastic cities in this beautiful state of ours.

4. What you like to do when you're not in a library?
READ - big surprise. I also like to spend time with my husband (we really do have a lot of fun together), my dogs, my friends and family. I travel a lot, locally and to visit friends throughout the country, although I'm not an international traveler. I love to cook and to try new recipes, so pass them along (no desserts, please!).

5. Something about you that might surprise people?
Just like you, I am reluctant to take charge and make changes. Leadership does not come easy. I can be shy and reticent about going into a room of people that I don't know or having to stand up in front of a group of my peers to speak. Instead of staying home in my pajamas, I put on my smile, walk into the room with the confidence that I really don't feel, and make the best of it. It usually works.

Editor's note: Wow, that last answer IS a surprise!

Lynn's leadership skills have served her well in her career in Clarkston, and will certainly be an asset for MAME in the upcoming year. We wish Lynn the best!

AASL coming to Charlotte

"Rev up Learning @ your Library"

Charlotte, NC. November 5 - 8

It's getting close -- are you coming? We are rolling out the City of Charlotte for your arrival and have a dynamite conference planned foryou!

Did you know we will have the largest author presence ever including lots of regional authors? Did you know we will have the largest AASL virtual presence ever?

Did you know we have Danah Boyd, James Patterson, Marco Torres, Charles R. Smith, Jr., Laurie Halse-Anderson, Linda Sue Park, and Richard Peck -- all presenting!

Did you know we have over 100 concurrent sessions, awesome Pre-conferences,great tours, a storytelling festival, a symposium, and a fantastic closing session at the Imaginon!
Race right now to register ... advance registration ends October 6th.

And our own Gigi Lincoln is presenting in Charlotte. Way to go!

Speaking of AASL......MOVING FORWARD WITH THE AASL STANDARDS

Can you believe it's been almost two years since AASL released the Standards for the 21st-Century Learner? Michigan's own Marcia Mardis was among those who authored this visionary document.

Kathleen McBroom and Kristin Fontichiaro are chairing Michigan's Learning4Life implementation of the Standards, and AASL is taking the national lead, but we need everyone's help at the local level. Can you be part of the grassroots movement to bring the important message of student-inquiry, self-assessments, skills, responsibilities, and dispositions to your local stakeholders?

One great way to show how your school library connects to the district vision is to show how your values connect to the larger educational initiatives of your district and community. As you move forward in developing those connections, these resources may be helpful:

Show how the AASL Standards can encompass a variety of intiatives, including the NETS*S, the NcREL Engauge model, and the Partnership for 21st-century Skills (see sample chart for Birmingham Public Schools)

Snazz up your presentations and promotions about the AASL Standards

Beginning the school year

by Sandy Tabacchi, Avondale Schools

I love the beginning of the school year because I get to meet with all the classes and tell the students all the wonderful things about libraries and what I can do to help them!

While doing library orientations with my 7th and 8th graders I stress the part of the district mission statement that wants all students to become 'lifelong learners'. I then tell them about all the wonderful things their public libraries have for them. I ask how many go to Blockbuster for movies. I then tell them to stop wasting their money as they can get movies, books on tape, video games, music and more from their library.

When I then ask what my favorite webpage is, they all answer Mel.org!
Of course the Mel logo is on the PowerPoint behind me. We talk about the databases and how they need to login from home with proof of Michigan residency. Next question: How many have their own library card? (I'm always amazed at the numbers that don't have them!) We then talk about asking for a parents' driver's license number and I warn them that they will get that same look as when they ask for their credit card! I tell them to bring their parents to the computer so they can see what Mel has to offer and tell them about things that parents might use also.

There are links on my webpage to the public library and I share how to check the PL catalog from home or school before asking for a ride to the library. I tell them how to place items on hold and encourage them to bring their parents into the library too.

School library, Public Library, Mel.org - these are the places that create lifelong learners!!
Sandy Tabbachi

Everything You Need to Know about
SB-CEU's !

SB-CEU's will be granted for the MAME 36 conference,
Oct. 21-24, 2009

SB-CEUs TO BE GRANTED BY MAME:

Pre-Conference Sessions on Wednesday:

Presenters will provide sign in and sign out sheets.

Be on time and stay for the entire session in order to qualify for credits.

Each pre-conference session is three hours and counts for .3 SB-CEUs.

Conference Sessions on Thursday and Friday:

Pick up a SB-CEU tally sheet at Registration.

Obtain a stamp upon entering a session, and another stamp upon completing the session. Each one hour session counts for .1 SB-CEU.

When your tally sheet is complete, return it to Registration. All forms must be turned in by the end of the conference on Friday.

Please Note: MAME is offering the opportunity to earn .5 to 1.7 SB-CEUs for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. You must attend a minimum of 5 hours of sessions to qualify for SB-CEUs.

SB-CEUs TO BE GRANTED BY GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY:

The Post-Conference Session on Saturday:

The post-conference is being hosted by Barbara LaBeau, GVSU College of Education Assistant Professor. Paperwork for those sessions must be completed on Saturday onsite. .5 SB-CEUs can be earned for Saturday's session and will be granted by GVSU.

Author! Author!

Judy Hauser, MAME past president ('08) and current webmaster, is author of a book just out from Libraries Unlimited.

The Web and Parents: are you Tech Savvy? is aimed at parents who need to get up to speed on Web 2.0 capabilities in order to ensure safe and productive online experiences for their children. It's available now at amazon.com, or look for the Libraries Unlimited booth at the conference exhibits. Pick up a copy for your parents --or teachers-- and be the first to review Judy's book on amazon.com!

Another MAME Author!-our own Judy Sima!
Exciting news about MAME's favorite storyteller and long time member Judy Sima. One of Judy's signature stories, "The Boy Who Drew Cats," is featured in the new August House publication Book of Scary Stories: Spooky Tales for Telling Out Loud.

Book of scary stories