President's Column
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Greetings MAMESTERS!
Whew! What a busy year we have had. When I did my annual report, I realized how much we had accomplished. In the past year, we lost our executive director, and filled the database manager position. The executive board divided up the jobs in the handbook that were previously done by the executive director. We initiated the MACUL SIGMS - don't forget to join. Headquarters were consolidated into the archives room. We held meetings to plan our future and met with MLA to talk about blending our conferences for 2013.
One of the perks of the job is attending local and national meetings. ALA in Anaheim was a blast. Region 3 of AASL continues to be an enthusiastic group! I was honored to see Kathy Lester win the State Librarian's Excellence Award - a FIRST for school libraries from the Library of Michigan. The SL21 committee is almost finished with the latest revision!
Some things remained the same: we will continue as an affiliate of ISTE and AASL.
Our future looks bright as we continue our joint venture with MACUL. In January, Tom and I will meet with the Library of Michigan, which continues to support School Librarians and libraries. I hope to meet with the Michigan Department of Education to talk about adopting the AASL Standards for the 21st Century Learner in Michigan.
Looking back we have accomplished much. Thank you for all of your help, patience and support. When someone asks for your help, please consider how you can contribute to the organization. YOU are MAME!
I wish you happy holidays and a restful break.
Warmly,
Sue
Sue Lay, MAME President |
MAME 2013 Election Results
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As a result of MAME Elections earlier this year, Kathy Lester will be joining the current MAME Officers and Gwenn Marchesano will be continuing as VP of Regions and SIGS.
The 2013 MAME Board Officers include:
 President Tom Stream Grand Haven 616-842-3335 tom.stream@mimame.org Past-President Sue Lay Derby Middle School, Birmingham 248-203-5052 suel@mimame.org  President-Elect
Kathy Lester Parker Middle School, Howell 517-552-4600 xt87550 kathyl@mimame.org klester1@comcast.net  VP of Continuing Education Julie Harris Rochester High School, Rochester Hills
248-726-5404
jharris@mimame.org
jharris@rochester.k12.mi.us  VP of Regions and SIGS Gwenn Marchesano Pioneer Middle School, Plymouth 734-416-7561
gmarchesano@mimame.org  Secretary Jeanna Walker Portage Northern High School Portage 269-323-5489 jwalker@portageps.org 
Treasurer
Bruce Popejoy
Ann Arbor
booken02@gmail.com
Thank you to all of the officers for volunteering their time to lead the MAME organization! If you would like to get more involved in MAME, please contact any of the officers. They would love your help!
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| Best Books of 2012 | |
 It's that time of year again. All of the "Best Books of 2012" lists are coming out! One of the most anticipated by school librarians is that of School Library Journal. The cover art for December's issue is by Jon Klassen. Check out the online version of the SLJ List of the Best Books of 2012 here.
Here are just a few more best of the year lists:
The International Reading Association (IRA) yearly lists for Children's Choices, Teacher's Choices, and Young Adult Choices can be found by following links from this page.
The Bankstreet College of Education Center for Literature forms a committee to choose the best books of the year each year. Find their choices for 2012 here.
The New York Times list of Notable Children's Books of 2012 can be found here.
Other lists include:
Kirkus Reviews
Publishers Weekly
Barnes & Noble
Amazon
National Book Awards
At EarlyWord.com, you can find a spreadsheet which collates many of the "Best of" lists. [In right column, scroll down to Best Books 2012.]
 | | Illustration by Julia Rothman |
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| Lesson Swap |
Last year, I tried out an idea that I heard about from Donalyn Miller, aka the Book Whisper. She uses a Reading Graffiti Wall in her classroom where students can share their reading recommendations.
I don't have much wall space in my library, but found a spot to put up two long sheets of paper. I set out colorful markers next to the sheets, and posted the following rules:
- Use only appropriate language.
- Write neatly, so others can read the title
- Don't write over other people's suggestions.
- Not sure how to spell? Ask someone, use a computer...
- Look first to see if your book has already been suggested. If so, try to suggest another.
My middle school students love using the wall. Students enjoy posting and, also, check out the wall to see what other students are reading. It's a great way to promote reading!
Submitted by: Kathy Lester We would love to hear from you! Send your articles to: mediamatters.mame@gmail.com.
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Advocacy Article
|  The results from yet another study that show that full-time, certified school librarians boost student achievement were published in October 2012. The School Library Journal article that summarizes the study can be read here. The Pennsylvania study conducted by the Colorado-based RSL Research Group showed that access to a full time certified librarian "increases student test scores, closes the achievement gap, and improves writing skills."
Additional information, including the research summary, can be found at the project website: |
Region & SIGS Corner
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There are still vacancies for several MAME region representatives. You can check out the details at the MAME website Region page here. You can also read an article about MAME 17's November program "Raise Your Hand for Reading" at the Region page.
Contact Gwenn Marchesano, VP Regions & SIGs, at gmarchesano@mimame.org if you are interested in any of the Region vacancies or if you need additional information.
Thank you!
Gwenn Marchesano
VP Regions & SIGs
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 Join MACUL SIGMS!
SIGMS is planning a precon for the MACUL conference (iPads: Research, Collaboration and Evaluation), and our first annual membership meeting will be on Thursday, March 21st, 5:15-6:00 pm at Cobo Center in Detroit. Please plan on joining us for these events. Watch for more details about both the precon and membership meeting with your MACUL conference registration materials.
As MAME members, the new SIGMS officers look forward to developing the collaborative relationship between MACUL and MAME to strengthen the school library media community in Michigan, and we need the support of the MAME membership. Please join SIGMS.
Erik Drake, MACUL SIGMS Director
Cynthia Kleinheksel, MACUL SIGMS Assistant Director
Erica Trowbridge, MACUL SIGMS Communications Officer.
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App of the Month!
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Below are this month's featured
"apps of the month". If you would like to suggest an app, please email your idea to: Judy Hauser
judy.hauser@oakland.k12.mi.us Any app will be considered whether it is for productivity, utility, or fun
Wikipanion by Robert Chin  Free iPod Touch, iPhone, iPad Wikipanion is designed to streamline searching on Wikipedia. Wikipedia is a popular reference site with links to more information on your selected topic. Some features include bookmarking, font enlargement and searching within a page. Wikipanion is advertisement free!
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Cheers & Tears
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 Lynn Rutan, MAME Member, Bookends blogger, and Book Talker extraordinaire, won a seat on the West Ottawa School Board on Nov. 6. It was very close - only 32 votes, but Lynn writes that she squeaked in and will begin serving a 4 year term in January. Library issues are high on her list. Congratulations to Lynn! It's great to have a friend of School Libraries on a School Board. _________________________________________  LMC Magazine, Library Media Connection, is scheduled to feature three articles in 2013 about programs that Kay Wejrowski has presented at MAME in the last two years (Roundtable 2011 and session 2012). The Jan/February magazine will feature "Master the Art of Reading," March/April will feature "My Life - My Story," and the Sept/Oct issue is slated to feature the "Teen Promotions" information/session that was presented by Kay on Thursday of this year's conference. Thank you to Kay for sharing her wonderful reading promotions with MAME members and others!
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Beverley Rannow has connected her high school parenting class with St. Anthony's Catholic primary school in Freetown, Sierra Leone in West Africa. As part of the class, the students create picture books. They are sending their picture books to the school to add to their library. The students also wrote letters to St. Anthony's classes and received replies from the teacher or students in the class. It really motivated the students to create quality picture books knowing they were going to make a difference in a country that has access to few educational resources. _________________________________________
 Lakeview School District Librarian Margaret Lincoln and Harper Creek High School English Teacher Cynthia Schofield were honored to join with Holocaust survivor and artist Dr. Miriam Brysk to give a panel presentation at the recent National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) Convention in Las Vegas on November 16. Their session was titled "Teaching the Holocaust through a Survivor's Art."
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Send Your News!
Tell us about your successes, your struggles, your amazing discoveries.
Email your newsletter editors, Lori and Kathy with stories that should be shared.
We'd love to hear from you!
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Happy Holidays to You and Yours from MAME
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MAME 39 Handouts
Available Online! | |
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Handouts from many of the awesome sessions presented at the MAME 39 Conference are available at the MAME website. Click here to access the site.
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MAME Membership
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IT'S TIME TO JOIN MAME OR RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP! If you weren't able to attend the fabulous MAME 39 conference, we missed you!
But please don't allow your MAME membership to expire...stay connected to other school librarians across the state.
MAME needs your support now more than ever and YOU need the support provided by MAME through its advocacy on the state and national levels.
So please take a few minutes to
complete the online membership form at:
http://www.mimame.org/join-mame.html
You can pay for your membership by check or by using the PayPal option. You do not need a PayPal account to use your credit card. If you wish to add SIG membership(s), please read the instructions carefully and check your shopping cart before completing the form.
Karen Becknell
MAME Database Manager
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Five Good Reasons to
Join MAME!
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Send your colleagues the link to the online membership application which can be found here.
Here are FIVE GOOD REASONS TO JOIN MAME (details can be found at the MAME website:
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Get More Involved in MAME!!
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The MAME 40 (yes, 40 years!!) Annual Fall Conference Committee is welcoming additional committee members. If you would like to get more involved in MAME, this is a great way to do so!! We would love your help!
Please contact MAME President-Elect and Conference Chair, Kathy Lester (kathyl@mimame.org) for more details!
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MAME is also looking for a new newsletter co-editor. If you would be interested in becoming more involved and working with Lori Minnard to publish this newsletter each month, please contact Kathy Lester and Lori Minnard at
mediamatters.mame@gmail.com
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Upcoming Events
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January 12, 2012
MAME Board Meeting
MAME Headquarters in Lansing 9:30am.
1407 Rensen Street, Lansing, MI 48910
January 25-29, 2013
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What's on
Your Mind? |
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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
Lori Minnard
and
Kathy Lester
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