NEWS NOTES
Quarterly Publication of the Southern Maine Library District Winter 2008
Certificate of Appreciation
We all know people who support our libraries without public recognition, dedicating their time to causes they believe in. The SMLD Board takes special pride in thanking these people at its spring council meeting. If you would like to nominate a library trustee, volunteer, public official, legislator, or library staff member, please see the guidelines and list of past recipients on the SMLD website. Past recipients have contributed to the library world at large through district, regional or statewide projects, or helping multiple SMLD libraries. Nominations are due March 1; the recipient(s) will be recognized at the Spring Council Meeting May 23, 2008 in Portland. Further information can be found at
MRLS Celebrates 35 Years!
The Maine Regional Library System will be 35 years old in 2008. Join our Maine legislators and special guest Tim Sample at the State Capitol on Tuesday, January 15, 2008, 10 am - Noon during Maine Libraries Week. We’ll have an anniversary cake, door prizes & exhibits. The event is free and open to the public. Legislators will be presented with copies of a new DVD about MARVEL featuring Sample and Librarian Molly Larson. Copies will be sent to Maine libraries as well. Founded in July 1973 under Public Law 626, the system provides Interlibrary loan services Free District borrowers’ cards Consultant services Area Reference & Resource Centers Purchasing cooperatives (SCOOP) for books, furniture, supplies and equipment Cooperative projects and library promotion
http://www.maine.gov/msl/smld/council/appreciation.htm.
Outstanding Librarian Award
Windham Public Library’s Reference and Technology Services Librarian Barbara Keef was presented with the Maine Library Association’s Outstanding Librarian of the Year award at its Nov. 16, 2007 meeting in Rockland during the MLA Conference. Keef, who also works parttime as a catalog assistant at St. Joseph’s College, was recognized for her outstanding service to the community. She served on the 2007 statewide Library Makeover Team and is a member of the SMLD Reference Group. Congratulations Barbara!
SMLD Spring Council Meeting
All staff members are welcome to attend! Date: Friday, May 23, 2008 Place: University of Southern Maine, Portland Information for Everyone:
The Changing Face of Reference Services
SMLD Board Appointment
Jan Bennett, Library Education Technician III, for the Plummer-Motz/Lunt Elementary Schools in Falmouth., was appointed to the Board at its November 2007 meeting. Jan fills the school library vacancy which occurred when board member Susan Petrikas assumed a job out of state. Jan received her B.S. from Northern Michigan University and her MLIS from Clarion University.
Registration flyers will be mailed later this spring.
Reading Round-Up 2008
Attention! Registration for the ever-popular Reading Round-Up of Children’s and YA Literature Conference will be online only in 2008. An email address will be required in order to register.. Check the Maine State Library website in early February for details.
http://www.maine.gov/msl/smld/
News Notes 1
New IT Group A Success!
A lively discussion about the pros and cons of Macs vs. PCs took place at the first meeting of a newly-organized group of SMLD IT librarians. Held at the Falmouth Memorial Library in November 2007, the group plans to share ideas at future meetings and communicate via an invitational BBS. MSLN Circuit Rider Susie Strout distributed copies of a new publication “The Joy of Computing” which will be one of the topics covered at the group’s next meeting on February 28 in Biddeford.
Banners, Banners, Banners!
Available for loan from the SMLD Office: Three National Library Week banners for interior displays and exhibits. Made of felt with felt letters. #’s 1 & 2: 24 ft. long, #3: small banners for display case. MARVEL! 2’ x 6’ with grommets for hanging inside or outside MaineLibraries – Something for Everyone: 2’ x 6’ with grommets for hanging inside or outside.
Library Legislation
Still pending is LD 793 “An Act To Provide Essential Library Resources to All Maine Communities” (formerly LR 490). It will provide over $2,800,000 in FY 08 and 09 to the Maine State Library for grants to improve library collections throughout the State; to support interlibrary deliveries; to digitize materials for preservation and statewide access; to improve online data resources; and to improve area reference and resource centers. The bill also provides funds for two librarian positions to support Minerva, state databases and cataloguing standards. It is sponsored by Senator Beth Edmonds and co-sponsored by Representatives Adams of Portland, Crockett of Augusta, Crosthwaite of Ellsworth, and Tardy of Newport.; Speaker Cummings of Portland; and Senators Mitchell of Kennebec, Rosen of Hancock, and Rotundo of Androscoggin.
School Library Meetings
Date: January 15, 2008 (snow date: Jan. 16) Place: Deering High School, Time: 3-5 p.m. Topic: “WebJunction” Date: March 26, 2008 (snow date: April 2) Place: Jameson School, Old Orchard Beach Time: 3-5 p.m. Topic: “Literature Clubs & Circles”
Please RSVP to the SMLD Office: SMLD@portland.lib.me.us
Children’s Librarians
All staff who work with children in public libraries are invited to attend: Date: February 5, 2008 (snow date: Feb. 6) Place: Scarborough Public Library Time: 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Topic: “Vacation Time Programming”
Please RSVP to the SMLD Office: SMLD@portland.lib.me.us
Library Makeovers
The very successful “Library Makeovers” project of the Maine Regional Library System will continue in 2008. Public libraries in towns under 7500 will be notified in the spring about guidelines and schedules. A simple one-page application and photos of the library are all that is needed to apply. Begun in the southern district in 2006 to improve library interiors and provide suggestions for the future, a total of 14 libraries from Kingfield to Orr’s Island have had one-day makeovers. A small stipend will be given to each of five selected libraries to help with furniture and equipment purchases. Further information:
http://www.maine.gov/msl/smld/services/librarymakeovers.htm
Library Renovations
The Davis Library in Limington reports that they will be closed in order to begin renovations to address space and mold problems. The Scarborourgh Public Library recently closed for a massive reorganization and replacement of worn-out carpeting. Walker Library in Westbrook also closed in order to repair water leaks and windows. The North Berwick library used New Century grant funds to solve water and mold problems.
http://www.maine.gov/msl/smld/
News Notes 2
ARRC News
Portland Public Library Reference Librarian Suzanne Sullivan reports “One of our most popular online services, Rosetta Stone, has decided to discontinue service to public libraries. Our subscription ends on November 30, and will not be renewed. I am trying to find a replacement for this language learning product…. If you have suggestions, please let me know!” Internet computer use has been reduced to 60 minutes per day per patron to provide for more patron access and to lower waiting times. The Children’s Department has begun a Brown Bag author luncheon series for children’s authors, held the first Friday of each month. The Children’s Winter Reading Program includes a partnership with Parks & Recreation and local schools; it will conclude with a finale at the Sea Dogs’ opening day.
January 9
Calendar
SMLD Children’s & YA Book Review (snow date: Jan. 16). Portland Public Library, 9:30 a.m. Noon SMLD Board Meeting (snow date: Jan. 18) Warren Memorial Library, Westbrook, 1-4 p.m. Maine Libraries Week Meeting for School Librarians (snow date: Jan. 16) Deering High School, 3-5. “WebJunction” Public Library Directors [Yapping Yorkies] (snow date: Jan. 31). Community Library, Lyman, 9 a.m. – Noon Public Library Directors [Loose Librarians] (snow date: Feb. 15) Windham Public Library, 9 a.m. Meeting for Children’s Librarians (snow date: Feb. 6). Scarborough Public Library, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. “Vacation Time Programming” SMLD Children’s & YA Book Review (snow date: Feb. 20). Portland Public Library, 9:30 a.m. – Noon Public Library Directors [Talking Heads]. Springvale Public Library, 2-4 p.m. IT Group. McArthur Public Library, Biddeford, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. Public Library Directors [Chattering Cheeses] Curtis Memorial Library, Brunswick, 9:30 a.m. Meeting for Reference Librarians. Falmouth Memorial Library, 9:30 a.m. – Noon (snow date: March 14, Dyer Library, Saco) SMLD Children’s & YA Book Review (snow date: Mar. 19). Portland Public Library, 9:30 a.m.-Noon SMLD Board Meeting (snow date: Mar. 20). Dyer Library, Saco, 1-4 p.m. Meeting for School Librarians (snow date: April 2). Jameson School, Old Orchard Beach, 3-5 p.m. “Literature Clubs & Circles” Reading Round-Up of Children’s & YA Literature. Augusta Civic Center. Keynote: Pat Feehan, USC January 11 January 13-19 January 15 January 24
People
New appointments
Cheryl Dichirico, Children’s Librarian, Berwick Public Library Meg Rooks, Librarian, Gov. Baxter School for the Deaf Dorothy Smith, Director, Brownfield Public Library Aimee Thompson, Library Media Specialist, Old Orchard Beach High School
January 25
February 5
February 13
February 25 February 28 March 5 March 7
Retired
Leona Anderson, Librarian, Gov. Baxter School for the Deaf Charlene Parsons, South Berwick Public Library Sabbatical Kelley McDaniel, King Middle School, Portland (January August 2008)
CMLD’S Consultant Retires
CMLD Consultant Bonnie Dwyer was recognized at the October 26, 2007 Fall SMLD Council Meeting in Portland prior to her retirement on November 30. In her nine years as consultant, Bonnie worked on a wide range of projects and programs including Baxter the new Maine library mascot, weeding workshops, and statewide public relations. She plans to spend more time with her family and to conduct quilting appraisals during retirement. Best wishes Bonnie!
March 12
March 14 March 26
April 17
Further details: See the Maine State Library calendar http://evanced.info/maine/evanced/eventcalendar.asp
http://www.maine.gov/msl/smld/
News Notes 3