Media Matters!       MAME logo       January 2012
In this Issue
President's Column
From MAME Headquarters
From MAME Gov't Relations Chair
MAME's Future
Covers You Remember
REMC "$AVE Show Off"
Region Corner
App of the Month
Cheers & Tears
Happy New Year
Support School Libraries
Save the Date!
Reading Resolution
Best Books 2011
AASL Webinars
What's on Your Mind
Upcoming Events
Our Sponsors
Media Matters Archives
President's Column
Sue Lay
2012!  A year of changes!
I hope you had a restful break, spent some time with family and friends. The New Year probably lent itself to some reflections of the past year and dreams for the future one.  MAME is going through that same process.

As you think about your library and what you want to accomplish in 2012, please keep MAME in mind.  Have you been thinking about getting more involved?  Now is the time!  We need you!  Speak to a board member, or send an email expressing interest.  We need new ideas and new perspectives.

In a few weeks, Rachel Markel and Tom Stream (and other MAME members) will attend ALA Midwinter. A major part of that conference is meeting with other representatives from our region in the Midwest, where each state will present its concerns.  Next, several issues are chosen to present to the entire AASL body.  MAME will again present staffing issues, which impact our children, schools and our organization.  ALA and AASL will work on the national issues.

WE here at home will continue to fight that fight every day, in our schools!  As Carl Harvey reminded us, we need to "take control of the wheel and steer our program and our profession down the right road to success."  The task at hand seems overwhelming, but remember just a few short years ago when the "Car Czar" was appointed?  It seemed like the end of the American car companies as we knew them.  Now, their future is looking brighter.  MAME must go through some changes too, but we will survive.  Perhaps our organization will look different; but just perhaps, it will grow into something bigger and better!

Sue Lay, MAME President
From MAME Headquarters
Tim Staal
As we start a new calendar year, and as MAME looks at some important issues regarding the future of our association, I was lucky enough to run across this blog post from Doug Johnson, one of the leaders of our profession: "Do School Librarians Have Enduring Values"

I like what Doug has to say about the need for those of us in our profession to think about what our core values are and to ensure that what we do on a regular day to day basis reflects those core values.  I think the same is also true for our association as a whole.  What are our core values, and how do we ensure going forward that what we do reflects those values?
Then we need to take it the next step - share with others what those core values are and advocate for our libraries, for our profession, and for our association.

Tim Staal, Executive Director

From MAME Gov't Relations Chair 

Michael Pehote2012 is an important election year!

 

I am sure MAME members do not need me to remind them that 2012 will be a very important election year, but I decided to take some time to write and remind everyone anyway. Along with the Presidential Election, one of two Michigan U.S. Senators is up for re-election as well as the entire Michigan State House of Representatives and United States House of Representatives.   Every election is important and 2012 will not be any different. Just look back to the 2010 election in Michigan and how many changes were made to public education. Please be sure to keep up with the election coverage throughout 2012 to make educated choices on Tuesday, November 6th, 2012.

                    

I also must sadly say "goodbye" with this article. I have been offered a teaching position at a local Community College and have accepted the position. Teaching at the university level has been a career goal of mine since I started my first graduate degree. I will remain in my current library position as well, which means I will lose much of my free time. Working with the MAME Executive Board as the Government Relations Chair has been an honor. If you have an interest in politics and government affairs, please volunteer for this now-vacant position.   If you are interested in the position feel free to contact Sue Lay at [email protected].

 

Michael Pehote, MAME Government Relations Chair 

MAME's Future

MAME logo 

This past weekend, the Executive Board and Board of Directors continued the dialogue about MAME's future. We began looking at responses to the MAME Future survey which was sent out to the MAME Listserv. Several members asked for clarification on expenses. Tim Staal, our Executive Director (ED), has taken two voluntary pay cuts - his idea (you don't find that kind of commitment in many organizations).

The cost to run headquarters including rent, internet, meeting space, phone, insurance, hosting fees for Media Spectrum and the newsletter, ED salary, audit and insurance is currently $26,000(est.) annually.   If the ED was to ask for his full salary, the costs would be closer to the $38,300, as stated in the survey. When breaking down expenses, we realized our rent is really reasonable and we could not find another space like it for such a reasonable price.

 

Our conferences and membership dues are and have been the chief sources of our income. The [email protected]! Conference location was contracted in 2011 (which was incredibly late for us), and we DID meet the rooming quota! We did make some money, just not enough to sustain our organizational costs. I hope this helps in your understanding of our current condition. Please ask your region reps and board members if you have more questions.   

Covers You Remember
Cindy & LynnMAME members Cindy Dobrez and Lynn Rutan write the fantastic Bookends Booklist Online Youth blog.  You can read their blog here:  http://bookends.booklistonline.com/ 
On December 30th, they wrote a great post about Covers You Remember
(referencing a Booklist Book Group Buzz blog post by Neil Hollands). In their post they spoke about book covers that trigger memories or are iconic.  Read that post here.  Cindy mentions the book The Silver Nutmeg by Palmer Brown and Lynn, My Book House edited by Olive Beaupre' Miller.

So...MAME members, what book covers trigger memories or are iconic for you?  Submit the title of these books along with a description of the reason that you selected them to the newsletter editor at: [email protected] and the February newsletter will share those covers and memories.
REMC "$AVE Show Off"
REMC Show Off

Want to see what's new in classroom technologies on the REMC $AVE Bid?  Then mark your calendar for:

February 9th, 9 am - 3 pm  

at the Lansing Center in downtown Lansing.

This year's event showcases interactive classroom technology such as video conferencing and 3D in the classroom from the 2012 REMC Awarded Vendors.  Event includes lunch.  Hold your spot today by registering here  

 

"Since 1971, Michigan schools have save more than $500 Million tax dollars by using REMC Statewide $AVE Bid contracts!

"Every dollar saved through REMC $AVE cooperative effort today is one more dollar to invest in instruction tomorrow."

Region Corner
REMC Region Map

We are still looking for region reps to serve on our Board of Directors. It is especially critical at this point in the life of MAME because we want to include the perspectives from all parts of Michigan.  

We are still seeking representatives for regions 2, 8, 9, 15, 20, and 21.  

(To see the map of regions, go to www.remc.org.) 

If you're considering it and would like to learn more, contact Gwenn Marchesano at: [email protected]

App of the Month
App Word with FriendsWords with Friends

Android (Free)

iPhone ($0.99)   

You've heard about this game and how Alec Baldwin couldn't tear himself away from playing to board an airplane. Well, it is addictive. It is a scrabble-like game that you play on your smart phone. It is a great way to hone your vocabulary skills or at least to hone your dictionary skills! I would recommend it for young people because it is a great way to learn some new words and to test yourself on your own vocabulary. I have only played Android to Android but I have heard that you can play Android to iPhone too. Try it out with a friend and, if you like word games, you will like Words With Friends.

 

If you would like to suggest a app, please email your idea to: Judy Hauser, [email protected] .

Any app will be considered whether it is for productivity, utility, or fun. 

Cheers & Tears
Cheers and Tears
___________________________________________________________

Evelyn's GrandsonEveyln Wecker Freeman, MAME Board Member and Consultant at Oakland Schools in Waterford, is happy to announce that she now has a new title, Grandma!  Micah Jacob Lawson arrived in December just in time to be the best holiday present ever.  Everyone is doing fine and Micah is adorable!

__________________________________________________________

Betty MundyBetty Mundy writes:
Cheers that I'm a grandma to Eleanor Grace born on Nov. 19th and Tears being that I was admitted to the hospital with Wegener's disease on Nov. 18th!   : }  Technology is wonderful - my daughter Sarah and I texted each other from our hospitals throughout her labor and she sent pictures as soon as the baby was born.  Being a grandma is the best thing ever!  
I am doing so much better now and am undergoing treatment to put this disease in remission.  It's been a little scary but hope the worst is over.  : ) 
It was a tough fall with leaving the media center behind, starting over in the classroom, and being sick on top of it all! Have had good doctors and lots of support from family, friends, and coworkers.  Will be out of school til after spring break if all goes as planned.  Treatment totally wipes out my immune system so can't be around the kids.  : { 
Media Matters! Editor
Kathy Lester 
              [email protected] 

MAME Executive Director
Tim Staal     [email protected]

Database Manager
Liz Lewis     [email protected]
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
New Year
Happy New Year To All!! 
Our Best Wishes to Everyone for a Fabulous 2012! 
Support School Libraries
Carl Harvey

Carl Harvey, AASL President, has posted a White House petition to request funding and recognition for school libraries in the re-authorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
The petition is at:
http://wh.gov/Wgd

He is asking all School Librarians to sign the petition and to ask others to sign (teachers, parents, students, friends, and family).  The petition needs 25,000 signatures by Feb 4th.  So, if you have not signed yet; please do, and then, spread the word and support School Libraries!
Save the Date!
Save the Date
The
MAME Leadership Workshop
will be held at:
University of Michigan
School of Information
on
Saturday
March 17th.

All MAME members will be invited to attend.  So, mark your calendars!

Details coming soon!
Reading Resolution!
Shelf Consumed
Make a New Year's Resolution to Read!
Dallas, TX School Librarian Leigh Ann Jones resolved in her blog post to read 100 books in 2012!
You can read her post

She blogs about the responsibility of librarians to read, the importance of keeping a reading list, and how she can achieve her goal.

[Editor's Note: I liked Leigh Ann's resolution so much that I am resolving the same!  100 books this year!  We'll see...]
Best Books 2011

In the December 2011 MAME Newsletter we shared some information and links to lists of the Best Books for Children and Young Adults.

Thus, in this newsletter, we thought we would share some information about the Best Adult Books of 2011.

There are LOTS of "Best of" lists available, below are some links to some of these lists.

Reviewers Lists:
Book Store Lists:
Bestselling List
USA Today

Readers Lists
AASL Webinars

AASL offers complimentary webinars exclusively for AASL members based on Knowledge Quest articles. The next webinar is "Releasing Your Inner Leader" by Carolyn Jo Starkey and will take place Monday, February 13
at 7:00 PM CST. 
Archived webinars including "The Solo Librarian" by Audrey Church are also available for AASL members.  To read more about it or to register go to the AASL site here.

What's on your Mind?
What great things are going on in your media center?

Has a journal article or book recently inspired you?

Found a shortcut, great website, new and improved techie tool?

...Or just have a funny story to share?

We love to hear from our readers!
 Send your newsletter contributions to
Kathy and Michelle
Upcoming Events
January 20-24, 2012
ALA 2012 Midwinter Meeting 
Dallas, Texas
Dallas Convention Center

February 9, 2012

REMC Save $how Off

Lansing, Michigan

Lansing Center

 

March 2, 2012

READ Across America

Sponsored by NEA

 

March 4-10, 2012

Teen Tech Week

Sponsored by YALSA

 

March 7-9, 2012

2012 MACUL Conference 

Grand Rapids, Michigan

DeVos Convention Center

 

March 9-11, 2012
 2012 MRA Conference
Grand Rapids, Michigan
DeVos Convention Center

 

March 16, 2012  

Freedom of Information Day  

 

April 2012  

School Library Month

 

April 8-14, 2012
National Library Week

Sponsored by ALA

April 12, 2012
National D.E.A.R Day

Drop Everything and Read 

May 5, 2012
 

MAME Board Meeting
MAME Headquarters in Lansing 9am.
1407 Rensen Street, Lansing, MI 48910


 June 21-26, 2012
ALA 2012 Annual

Conference 
Anaheim, California

June 24-27, 2012
ISTE 2012
San Diego, California
San Diego Convention Center
  

Our Sponsors
Thank you to our
2011/2012 sponsors and vendors!   

MEEMIC Insurance

Alexandria
ABDO Publishing Company
AVI - SPL
Baker & Taylor
Blue Raven Technology
The Book Farm
Books Galore
Books NU
Bound to Stay Bound
Britannica Digital Learning
Capstone Publishers
Chelsea House
Cornucopia Books
Crabtree Books
Davidson Titles
Facts on File
Fennell Subscription Service
Follett Library Resources
Follett Software
Gale Cengage Learning
Garrett Book Company
Gumdrop Books
Heinemann-Raintree
Junior Library Guild
Learn Israel.org
Learn 360
Library of Michigan
Lowry Books
Midwest Collaborative for Libraries
Norwood House Press
Perma-Bound Books
ProQuest
Scholastic Library Group
Scott Electric
Sehi Computer
Usborne Books & More
World Book, Inc. 
Media Matter Archives
Looking for a previous issue of the MAME Media Matters newsletter?
You can find the archives at the MAME Website Publications Page.