MLA YSS Meeting Minutes 11/15/18

Present: Marissa Antosh (Duxbury); Larissa DuBois (Duxbury); Katrina Ireland (Northborough); Erin Daly (Chicopee); Ellen Sulzycki (Springfield); Victoria Palmatier (Springfield); Kayla Casiello (Shrewsbury); Kat (Northampton); Carol Gafford (Swansea-virtual)

I. Executive Board Updates

                A. Marissa submitted FY20 budget with more specific line item requests totaling $500. She also requested reimbursements for the March 2018 retreat that was cancelled.

                B. March 5, 2019 is Library Legislative Day. They are limiting the number of tables for the event, so contact Jen Harris for more information. 

II. Conference Committee Liaison updates

The conference committee chose 9 youth services oriented presentations for MLA conference 2019. They are the following:

                i. Fandom, with Robin Brenner

                ii. A middle school-geared program combining “creating a space in between” and “meeting middle schoolers  where they are”. Two folks will collaborate on this.

                iii. Beyond “Sound It Out”: understanding the mechanics of literacy (Ronda Kunyer)

                iv. Homeschooling- different homeschooling styles and how the library can serve them all (Steph Young)

                v. Play, Imagine, Experience by Shawna Rabino in Waltham

                vi. Real Talk – how to create a framework for youth-led conversation forums (a youth and crossover adult program?) from Waltham

                vii. Process Art – encouraging kids to express themselves through artistic process rather than product.  Ellen Sulzycki

                viii. Real Connections by Caitlin Stafford (LEMA) – focusing on best practices for family engagement, outreach services

                ix. Interactive Movies (Veronica and Eric from Needham) – tips, tricks, trials and tribulations to running your own interactive movie program

Conference committee is still working on logistics for event. Considering having an offsite evening event, as well as rolling the cost of lunch into the fee in the hopes of getting better food choices.

III. March Retreat

                Retreat is scheduled for Saturday, March 23^rd at 4:00 p.m. until Sunday, March 24^th at 4:00 p.m. at the Cedar Hill Retreat Center in Duxbury, MA. Maximum amount of attendees for accommodations is 22; cost is still being worked out.

                Since the YSS retreat is scheduled to be the previous Thursday, we will instead meet during the retreat to minimize travel.

                Considering having a speaker or presenter with a “mindfulness” focus. There are a few options that we will reach out to. We’d also like to plan other activities including process art; a sensory storytime for grownups, and possibly making zines.

IV. Open Discussion

                A. A reminder to follow @MLA_YSS on Twitter; Marissa will be updating more regularly. Also check our Facebook page and the YSS wiki for updates!

                B. Ellen’s BIG project idea for Springfield : a free PD Day for western MA youth services librarians including a process art workshop, guerilla story time, craft swap, breakout sessions and more! Still in the planning stages, thinking early spring for dates. To librarians in the area: what would you like to see? Would you like to assist in planning? Do you have any suggestions? Reach out to Ellen Sulzycki in Springfield to get involved!

                C. An interest in holding a teen roundtable in Springfield for librarians. YSS will support the endeavor.

                D. Springfield is hiring for 2 positions; a part time at the downtown branch (tentatively no residency required); and a full time management position (residency required).

Respectfully submitted,

Katrina Ireland-Bilodeau