Simmons MSLA-SIG

Congratulations are in order for our new officers!

Officers for the 2013-2014 Academic Year:

Sara Jauniskis, Co-chair

Amanda Merk, Co-chair

Bethany Phillips, Treasurer

Anna Smith, Secretary

Erin McCall, Co-Technology Specialist

Gabby Sobilo, Co-Technology Specialist

As departing Technology Specialist, I am very happy that the role is being split between two very competent Simmons students. I can only hope that the social media presence grows. I’m sure that all our new officers will do a fantastic job.

Interested in your professional development?

Apply for the MSLA-SIG Scholarship to attend AASL’s 16th National Conference and Exhibition: “Rising to the Challenge” in Hartford, CT

November 14 – 17, 2013.

Scholarship includes: Free student member admission for two students, free three night hotel stay, and travel expenses*.

In order to receive the scholarship, you must turn in an application answering the following questions:

1. What makes you the right candidate for this scholarship?

2. How do you believe you will be able to use the conference experience to further your career?

3. How would you give back to MSLA-SIG if you were to attend?

If you are chosen to receive this scholarship, you will be one of the presenters at the MSLA-SIG conference next year. You will be asked to present on what you learned and/or what it was like to attend a national professional conference.

*Students will be responsible for payment of anything additional, such as food.

**Student admission is pending a current ALA and AASL membership. If the recipient of the scholarship does not currently have this membership, they will be required to purchase membership to the organization.

***Travel is going to be covered through LISSA’s reimbursement program. Each semester, LISSA reimburses students up to $300 for attendance at professional conferences. The recipients will be responsible for paying for their own travel cost and then filling out a reimbursement form. If the travel cost is more than $300, the recipients will be responsible for paying the balance.

****Since travel is covered through LISSA’s reimbursement program, students are only eligible for this award if they will be a current student in the fall 2013 semester. If a student is graduating before fall 2013 and would like to apply, they are only eligible if they are willing to pay for their own travel. If this is the case, the student must indicate this on their application.

*****As a recipient of this generous award, the recipients are expected to attend all conference events.

***** Students who receive this award will be expected to present at the Simmons MSLA-SIG Conference.

Application Due: April 18, 2011

Turn application in to Lauren Clark in P212F. If I am unavailable, please slide application under my door.

Our final meeting of the year will be on Monday 4/22 at 4:30-5:30 in the GSLIS lounge.

This is a special meeting. This is our ELECTION MEETING! Come and vote for your officers for next year, as well as say good-bye to members who are graduating in May (four of our officers are graduating!).

The Massachusetts School Library Association – Student Interest Group is holding its annual spring conference on Saturday, April 6, 2013, from 8:30 A.M. – 3:00 P.M.
The conference will consist of four sessions:

Session from the 2013 MSLA conference:
iPads and Free Agent Learning
A Free Agent Learner is self-directed, creates and share knowledge. This hands-on exploration integrates this learning model with students’ 21st Century Learning practices. Sample lesson plans, strategies for implementation and polices will be included. If you plan on utilizing your
own iPad, please download the free Nearpod app.

Deborah Lang Froggatt, Library Director, Boston Arts Academy/Fenway High School
Allegra D’Ambruoso, School Library Teacher Student, Simmons College

(http://maschoolibraries.org/content/view/1096/712/)

Web 2.0 and Your School and Classroom: Relevant, Easy, Free and Fun
What is Web 2.0, and why it is important and how to use it with a class/library? How can one librarian manage all of the different tools and resources that are available? Topics included in
this workshop are: Blogs, RSS Feeds, Bookmarks, Podcasting, Wikis, Communication Tools, Twitter and Online Video. Chris will also share her experience with a pilot BYOD (bring your own device) program at her school, its advantages and disadvantages and how it affects the library.

Chris Steinhauser, Library Teacher, Coolidge Middle School, Reading, MA

New Evaluation System for Teachers in Massachusetts
Learn what to expect from the teacher evaluation system now in place in Massachusetts public schools from someone who is actively involved in implementing it. This session will prepare you for principal walkthroughs, working with your supervisor, writing SMART goals, incorporating
an emphasis on student assessment in all of your work with students, and the importance of connecting to the school’s and district’s vision, mission, and curriculum.

Chris Swerling, Library Director, Newton Public Schools

Session from the 2012 MassCUE conference:
Students. Learn. Express. Share.

Join us as we show how second and third grade students power-up with technology to demonstrate and share their learning. We’ll show you how these students are using tools such as KidPix, Google Docs, VoiceThread, Animoto, Wordle and Skype as vehicles for expression and communication and how this understanding can extend beyond the four walls of the classroom.

Lindsay Olson, Teacher, Newton Public Schools
Jennifer Reed, Library Teacher, Newton Public Schools

(http://masscuemass2012technologyconfere.sched.org/event/630874c18724ac9d56d902585e94e208#.UTn6sdbhboI)

Our MSLA-SIG Career Panel podcast is now up on the GSLIS Media Lab blog. Please click here to go to their site and download our podcast. Thank you to all the presenters and thank you to the Media Lab team for recording our panel!

The 2012 MLS Teen Summit was held in October. For those interested in the handouts and presentation slides, please check out this: MLS Teen Summit Links. The overarching topic for 2012 was “Library As Safe Space.” There are great booklists for all types of teens and the issues they face.

You can also access information from the previous three years.

Please click on the image below to view the presentation:

We will be holding two workshops in preparation of your spring 2013 practicum. If this is your first practicum, you are required to attend one of the two workshops. If this is your second practicum, you are not required to attend.

The two dates are:
Wednesday, January 9 from 4:00 – 6:30
Thursday, January 10 from 1:00 – 3:30

Both meetings are held in the Beatley Library room L222. Fran will be reviewing the needs for the practicum as found in the SLTP Handbook.