“Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we react to it.”  

~Dennis Kimbro

Happy New Year and welcome back to another issue of MSLA Forum Online. Fall went flying by and brought us many opportunities for fabulous professional development, networking with colleagues and bringing issues of school libraries to the forefront.

Survey results from MSLA’s annual conference revealed a happy ending. Although some of us were conflicted by the unfortunate date change, the reviews were extremely positive and some members commented how pleased they were not to have missed a day at school. We promise not to let that type of conflict happen again, if at all possible, but I personally would like to thank the several hundred people who gave of their personal time to participate, advance their skills and knowledge and to support our organization. Also, a sincere thanks to the hard working conference committee and every member of the MSLA Executive Board who attended the event. It was an invigorating and information packed experience. We are already excited about the theme and speakers for next fall…but more about that another day!

MSLA members reap many benefits, some that we do not even think or know about. In addition to a network of professionals and colleagues, MSLA provides some of the best opportunities for professional development, PDPs, information resources and advocacy for every member. Recently, a somewhat awkward incident occurred when parents in a school district contacted us for help staving off projected school library cuts. While MSLA board members are always available to advocate for good school library programs both legislatively and in individual districts, it is uncomfortable when we or the parents learn that their school library teacher is NOT a member of their own professional organization. We advocate for ALL school library programs, whether or not the librarian is a member of MSLA, but it is difficult to know you have contributed to saving someone’s job when they do not feel the effort on their behalf is worth the cost of membership. We are all in this together

If you or someone you know has not renewed membership or is new to the district or our profession, please, encourage them to join one of the most active school library associations in the country. Other states are looking to MSLA as a proactive organization that understands the issues. We are considered leaders among our colleagues. We have developed strong relationships with our national association and several MSLA members now hold leadership positions in the American Association of School Librarians.  Membership in MSLA is an absolute bargain. Our dues are among the lowest in the states that I have polled. MSLA has not raised dues in 15 years but we have been discussing a small increase. It would not be more than a couple of lattes or a dinner for one at a moderate restaurant – and not even close to one tank of gas – but definitely a good investment in your job, your knowledge base, a network you can depend on, and your professionalism.  MSLA is working hard for you.

As for your budget…
If you are a certified school library teacher I hope you are a member of your regional library system! The services they provide are worth thousands of dollars if utilized effectively and membership is FREE. It is also an effective way to add value to your position. In order to be a member of the regional library system the school must have a certified LMS. In this edition, Susan Babb and Lucie Gallagher from NMRLS (Northeast Massachusetts Regional Library System) give us important basics on the hows and whys of membership. This year I receive a discount up to 46.7% on trade hardcover books with free shipping through the regional cooperative. My third graders are doing research on my Grolier and New Book of Knowledge Encyclopedias, ONLINE and FREE through the NMRLS databases. When they get to the upper grades it will be second nature to them to go to our subscription databases rather than Google for dependable information. They are learning to use the subscription resources first.

And the glamour and glory…
Check out the January School Library Journal article linked inside this Forum!!! As many know, last September Maureen Ambrosino from the Central Region joined us at the State House to give testimony for our bill, H564, before the Education Committee. If you think sitting in that cold room looking up at a group of people that sometimes didn’t even appear to be listening was easy, think again!!! It can be quite intimidating the first time you do it. Maureen wrote up her feelings about the experience and submitted her article to School Library Journal. They liked it so much they took it one step further and had it illustrated as a “graphic” article! Maureen is now our famous “Advocacy Librarian!” Don’t miss it.