Whew!  What a summer!  
Tom and I attended ALA in Anaheim.  It was great to breathe a sigh at the end of the school year, and get focused on MAME's future.  We learned about some great new resources available on the AASL website-the Best websites for Teaching and Learning.   Also, they are hosting new webinars and there is a new feature on apps.  Check it out!  At the Region 3 meeting, there were lots of discussions about budgets and the financial impact on school libraries. 

The MAME Executive Board has been busy, trying to get all of the pieces in place for our partnership with MACUL. We are so thrilled to become a SIG in this thriving organization!  Welcome SIGMS!  Our bylaws are complete and will be available online soon.  We are so happy to announce the SIGMS officers:

Erik Drake, Ex. Director
Cynthia Kleinheksel, Asst. Director
Erica Trowbridge, Communications Officer

Their first board meeting is September 18th.  We should know more about how this connection will impact our organization.

Members of your Executive Board spent a hectic day, squeezing three rooms of MAME memorabilia, papers, books, and more into one room.  We took at least three carloads of "stuff" to be recycled.  We still have a phone line and a new generic email, both of which are monitored by Board Members.  In addition, our mail is picked up and forwarded.  So, our transition to functioning without an Executive Director has become a reality.  Thanks for your patience with this process.  

The Summer Institute focusing on Common Core was a huge success - we filled up the room.  It was a great day of professional development and connecting.

Several MAME members have met to reevaluate the SL21 program with the Library of Michigan.  Discussions focused on communicating with School Librarians, refining the criteria of the document and programs operating with qualified School Librarians.

Don't forget our upcoming Fall Conference.  The committee has been working hard to provide a variety of opportunities for professional development.  By the way, Will Richardson will be speaking in a special session. Check the webpage for details.  Bring a friend or an administrator!  Early bird registration is available through September 16th.

On top of all of our MAME events, I have moved.  A new house and school year, make me hopeful for the future. New beginnings are so refreshing.  MAME's future is looking up!  Here's to a great school year for you, a productive year for MAME and a wonderful new beginning as we become SIGMS with MACUL.  

Sue Lay, MAME President  

"Enter Here and Learn" is the theme for this year's conference and it couldn't be more appropriate! We've got a terrific lineup of keynote speakers, presenters, exhibitors, and fun! Held this year from Oct. 31st - Nov. 2nd at the Radisson Lansing, we have five great pre-conferences and two conference days packed with learning.  

Registration is NOW OPEN and ONLINE!  

Go to www.mimame.org and register today - early registration prices are in place until Sept. 16th.

It might be two months away yet, but there's a lot to look forward to! First, our opening keynote speaker is 

Dr. Liz Kolb from the University of Michigan. Liz is a big advocate of using cell phones in the classroom, and many of you may already be familiar with Liz from her book, Toys to Tools: Connecting Student Cell Phones to Education. Our Featured Author for our Sunrise Author Breakfast is Margaret Willey, a well-rounded author who writes for all age levels and is especially known for her Clever Beatrice books. In addition, MAME is proud to be featuring Will Richardson as our closing keynote speaker. Will is known nationally as a guru in 21st century education and has published, spoken, and written about it for many, many years. While at the conference, each speaker will also be conducting their own break-out sessions in addition to their keynotes - something you won't want to miss! As a extra event for this year, MAME will be hosting a special 3-hour breakout session with Will Richardson titled "Bold Learning for Bold Schools: From Concept to Practice."  Learn more about all three featured speakers by going to MAME's conference web page, http://www.mimame.org/2012-annual-conference.html 

We also have a great lineup of wonderful presenters who'll be covering the latest key topics in their sessions. Focus areas include advocacy and marketing, collaboration, books and reading, the Common Core Standards, curriculum and resources, and technology integration. Our exhibitor's showcases are also excellent this year as is our list of exhibitors who'll be there. Check out the list on our web page too. Are you the type who likes to plan in advance which sessions you'd like to attend? Coming in September, MAME will post the complete breakout session schedule online via sched.org where you can put your own conference schedule together and access it via your mobile device, so stay tuned for that!

As you can tell, we're really excited about this year's conference and think it'll be worth the trip to Lansing! We hope to see you there!

AASL has developed a new workbook and rubric which can be used for rigorous self-evaluation and to shape or prepare for evaluations with administrators.

A 21st-Century Approach to School Librarian Evaluation uses the AASL Empowering Learners program guidelines as a basis for a school librarian evaluation rubric. The workbook includes suggested readings, action tips, and suggested evidence collection to help gauge current levels of achievement, set goals for progress, and form plans for future professional development. This evaluation workbook and rubric is available in the ALA Online Store in print and e-book formats, and print/e-book bundles. 

Other possible school librarian evaluation resources include Michigan's SL21 program (www.michigan.gov/sl21) and Charlotte Danileson's Framework for Library/Media Specialists (click here for a pdf).