I have been honored to serve as MAME President this past year. One of my main goals of the year was to advocate for School Libraries.  With the help of the MAME board, MAME members, the Library of Michigan staff, people like State Board of Education member Michelle Fecteau and many other school library supporters; MAME was able to help raise awareness of the importance of School Libraries in our state.  Some key accomplishments include:

• The Outreach Subgroup of the Library of Michigan School Library Working Group (members Karren Reish, Gwenn Marchesano, Kay Wejrowski, Julie Harris, and Kathy Lester) presented at the School Improvement and MACUL conferences.  This group also started and wrote the "LMS Get Loud!" Advocacy article in the MAME newsletter each month.
• Created an infographic about the state of school libraries in Michigan and began using this as an advocacy tool (http://bit.ly/MichSLinfographic)
• Held a successful "Declaration for the Right to Libraries" signing at the MACUL conference.

• Provided School Library advocacy information and supported the "Declaration for the Right to Libraries" signing during Barbara Stripling's visit to the University of Michigan and the Ann Arbor Public Library during National Library Week in April.

• The State Board of Education passed a Resolution in Support of School Libraries on October 18, 2014.

• Sample letters for advocacy with School Board Members, Superintendents, and the News Media were created for MAME member use (http://bit.ly/MichSLaction)

• Information about the resolution and advocacy information made available to MAME Members (http://bit.ly/MichSLadvocacy)

• Created a one-page information sheet (http://bit.ly/MichSLbest) and began the discussion with legislators and the State Board of Education to add School Libraries to State School Aid Best Practice Incentive under 22f. 

The other main goal for this year was to focus on professional learning for MAME members. Thanks to a superstar group of Chairpersons, Committee members, and presenters; MAME held three very successful events this past year including:

• Spring Workshop, Media Designs for Learning. Thank you to organizer Sue Lay and to presenters: Lynn Gordon, Julie Harris, Klaudia Janek and Martha Spear.
• Summer Institute, Don't Let Your Google Drive You Crazy.  Thank you to organizers Kay Wejrowski, and Erik Drake as well as presenter Ron Hautman.
• MAME 41 Fall Conference: Connect the Dots. A HUGE thank you to Conference Chair, Gwenn Marchesano, the entire conference committee, and presenters (especially our MAME members who shared their expertise!).  The MAME 41 Conference was truly inspiring and provided a variety of valuable learning opportunities to our members.  Thank you also to MAME4Ever for their support!

I also want to thank, Shannon Clark, MAME Newsletter editor, for putting together a great newsletter that allows MAME members to share ideas and grow professionally.  Also, thank you to Intellectual Freedom Chair, Martha Spear, for providing information on Intellectual Freedom through a newsletter column and a presentation at the MAME conference.  In addition, thank you to database (and listserv) manager, Karen Becknell; the MAME listserv is another valuable tool for MAME members to share information and learn from each other.

Other MAME accomplishments for the year include:

• Approval of an updated MAME Constitution (http://bit.ly/MAMEconstitution2014)

• Continued communication and building relationships with other organizations including:

• American Association of School Librarians (AASL)

• International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) [Thank you, Marsha Lambert!]

• Library of Michigan and the Department of Education

• Michigan Library Association (MLA)

• Midwest Collaborative for Library Services (MCLS)

• Michigan Association for Computer Users in Learning (MACUL)

• Michigan Reading Association (MRA)

• Wayne State University and University of Michigan Library Programs

I am confident that Gwenn Marchesano, MAME President 2015, will be a strong and effective leader for MAME.  Gwenn has many years of service to MAME "under her belt" and always has the best interests of MAME members in mind.  MAME and its members will be well-served by Gwenn along with President-Elect and 2015 Conference Chair, Lisa Brakel.  All my best to them in the coming year!!  They can always count on me for support.

All my best,

Kathy Lester, MAME President, 2014

klester1@comcast.net 

kathyL@mimame.org 

MAME 4Evers are already planning next year's getaway. They will be escaping to Mackinaw City for their annual getaway September 8 - 11, so if you think you might be retiring this year, let Teri Belcher or Annette Haley know so we can include you in our fun! 

Teachonwheels@gmail.com

Annettehaley@att.net 

Happy Holidays! 

A few more pics from MAME 41!