Children’s Services Division
Annual Report
July 2003
The Board of the Children’s Services Division worked diligently throughout the year and accomplished many goals. Task forces were established, the web site was fine-tuned, programs were presented, bylaws were revised, honors were awarded, and a spring institute budget was approved.
CSD sponsored three programs and the author luncheon at Fall Conference 2002. Tracy Harnish enthralled the entire audience with her magic presentation. She provided a history of magic and as well as tips for including illusions in library programs for youth of all ages. Cynthia Stilley and Kristen McDonald-Stone presented ideas for collaborative literacy initiatives between libraries and Head Start programs. The program also included ways for libraries to fund various programs.
Teen Services and CSD co-sponsored local author, Gary D. Schmidt, who discussed creative ways to use historical fiction with young people. Thumbs Up winner, Laurie Halse Anderson was our featured luncheon author.
The CSD Board agreed that future fall conference programs would remain at a minimum for two reasons. The number of children’s librarians attending conference is low. Another unresolved issue is the time conflicts with teen programs at fall conference. Despite attempts by conference committees, it has been difficult to have teen programs and children’s programs scheduled at different times. Consequently, the thrust of programming events sponsored by CSD will be at Spring Institute or independent workshops.
This year the MLA Executive Board initiated a Web Advisory Committee. Each division delegated a representative from its board to sit on this committee. Due to the association’s redesigned website, a few minor delays occurred and our online bibliographies were postponed. It is anticipated that all glitches have been dealt with and our new web master, Kyle Cesarz, will have our bibs in place by fall of 2003.
A task force was established to revisit a few concerns of the Mitten Award. Marian Rafal, Gale Ford, and Kathy Thornhill have agreed to investigate the time frame for formally presenting the award; consider modifications of the book label; and establish a tradition of presenting a signed copy of the annual award winning book to the creator of the Pewabic tile plaque.
The 2002 Mitten Award Committee chaired by Kathy Thornhill selected, When My Name Was Keoko by Linda Sue Park to be the winning title. Linda Pannuto is the chair for the 2003 Mitten Award committee.
The MLA executive board voted to provide a line item budget for Spring Institute during the 2002-2003 term. It has taken TSD and CSD chairs three years to accomplish this goal. Sufficient documentation and rational was presented and the executive board voted unanimously to include monies in the annual budget for this conference.
Through out the year the CSD Board worked on revising our bylaws. The Committee on Organization approved our final draft. Due to illness, it was not presented at the final meeting of the Executive Board for approval. This should be one of the first bylaw approvals for the 2003-2004 Executive Board.
Spring Institute 2003, Walk on the Wild Side, proved to be a wild experience. Quality presentations and inspiring keynote speakers were rampant. A record breaking number of people attended the conference. Many thanks to this year’s committee and chairs, Sara Tackett and Linda Smith.
Dates and sites for future SIs have been established. SI 2004 will be chaired by Fran Runnells. It will be held April 28, 29, and 30 at the Lansing Sheraton. SI 2005 will be April 20, 21, and 22 at the Big Rapids Holiday Inn Conference Center. SI 2006 will be at the Bavarian Inn in Frankenmuth March 29, 30, and 31.
Sara Tackett was the 2003 Award of Merit winner. Her service to children in Michigan is exemplary. Her devotion to her profession is undaunted. Her dedication to children’s services division of MLA is commendable. She undoubtedly deserved this honor.
Once again a double slate of officers was presented to membership for a vote for the 2003-2004 year. Meaghan Battle was voted chair-elect. Jane Kahan will serve as secretary/historian. The members-at-large will be Sara D’Archangel and Claire Poynter.
The board also focused on new workshops to be offered for members. Two possible future CSD workshops were initiated this year. A Children’s Literature Conference and a model program to help libraries provide service to in-home day cares. A great deal of planning and effort must take place before these ideas come to fruition. Rita Soltan will continue to work on implementing both of these workshops.
The year has gone by swiftly and a great deal has been accomplished. I am thankful to have had the opportunity to serve as the chair of the 2002-2003 Children’s Services Division. This board volunteered many hours and commandingly represented the children’s librarians in the state of Michigan. It has been a pleasure to work with this group of professionals.
Respectfully submitted,
Paulette Medvecky, Chair
Children’s Services Division
July 15, 2003