Too often in the past, school librarians have been called "Whiners", because we have bemoaned what we don't have, and whined about trying to change things.  Let's change this identity and SHOUT that we make a difference in student achievement .... demonstrate that we collaborate and deal with all frameworks ...publicize that we are HERE - no more the "Invisible Librarian!"SHOUT!

Two causes have been personal passions for me: celebrating School Library Month and assisting my fellow library teachers to develop their school library webpages.  In 2004, MSLMA had its first statewide bookmark contest and it has gotten better every year. For 2007, the plan is to announce the bookmark contest winners at the statehouse, in conjunction with the lobbying day. In summer workshops, I have mentored over 50 colleagues in developing their webpages. It is without a doubt that having a webpage is an essential tool for a library program.  It's also a given that one's library webpage is never finished, but it continues to evolve with our program. Teaching webpage development and promoting School Library Month are two ways to SHOUT!

I have served on the MSLMA/MSLA Executive Board since 1999 as webmaster.  As webmaster, I have worked to make mslma.org a tool of publicity and communication for our organization.  The 2006 "makeover" of the webpage was an exciting milestone for our association and for me as webmaster; the learning curve has been steep, but worth it. Outside of my work with the Executive Board,  I have represented MSLA during 2000 as a member of the DOE committee to review and renew the English Language Arts Curriculum Frameworks. I have also worked on the legislation and conference committees.

On the national level, I serve the AASL Affiliate Assembly in Region I; I am Director-elect from 2007-08 and then Director from 2008-09. My attendance at national conferences has brought a whole new dimension to my understanding of school library issues.

In my professional life, I have been the Library Teacher at Needham High School since 2000. Previously, I have worked at Medfield High School, Stacy Middle School in Milford, and the Elementary Schools of Stoughton.  Before entering the realm of school libraries, I taught social studies at Westford Academy for over nine years.

As an undergraduate, I studied history at Hartwick College.  I "brushed" with the world of libraries when I served on a special task force to institute the college's first archives; I actually planned to attend Syracuse University and enroll in their museum studies program.  Fate took a different turn, however, and I ended up back in Massachusetts, settling in Bedford in 1973 with my new husband, Brad. While teaching full time, I enrolled at Boston State and earned my Masters in Instructional Media, and was certified as a school librarian in 1977.

I didn't get a chance to use the school library credentials, however, until 1995.  I spent 13 years "at home" with my five children: Abby (28), twins Chelsey and Lindsay (25), Hannah (21), and Ross (15).  Simply put, they are my pride and joy.

Since re-entering the work world, I have taken numerous graduate courses; in fact, it was a course taught by Rita Fontinha that steered my professional career to MSLMA.  Rita actually was the one who recruited me to be the webmaster in 1999.  When Rita called me, asking me to take on the challenge, I said "How can I?"  It was my assistant, beside me, who said, "How CAN'T you?"  She was right - we can all rise to meet a challenge and we are, in the end, the beneficiaries of professional association.

I can honestly say that I have received far more than I have given through working with MSLA. I continue to be amazed by the professionalism of my school library colleagues and I cherish your collective wisdom.