Portfolio Introduction

Why should a library media specialist spend money to participate in a state professional association such as the Maryland Association of School Librarians (formerly known as the Maryland Educational Media Organization)?  Membership does have its privileges.  Each fall, MASL holds a state conference.  Artifact 1 includes a conference flyer and itinerary.  The sessions I attended are highlighted in yellow.   Participation in MASL affords me professional development and networking opportunities to improve my skills and leadership abilities.  In Artifact 2, I reflect upon my experiences at the 2006 fall conference.  Attending as a student member, I was able to meet people in my school district who can assist me with making important contacts when it is time for me to interview for a job. 

I was also able to see and hear about what is emerging in the school library field such as the K-8 technology literacy mandate.  The presenters walked through the process of how No Child Left Behind has driven this initiative to make all students technology literate by 8th grade.  We were presented with the findings and recommendations of a national expert review audit as well as a draft of the Maryland Technology Literacy Standards for Students (MTLSS).  The plan for communicating this initiative to Maryland schools was also outlined.  In another session, I saw a presentation of what a strategic plan is and why it is useful.  The media specialists displayed a plan for an elementary as well as a high school library.  They also discussed the results of sharing how these plans connect the school library media program with their respective schools' instructional goals.   

MASL is an affiliate of the national American Association of School Librarians (AASL).  As a member, I receive informative articles from the AASL journal Knowledge Quest as well as discounts on current professional literature.  These resources provide an abundance of helpful learning tips from my colleagues.   A small investment in membership dues in the various professional associations definitely yields great professional dividends for the school library media specialist.