* PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE - Martha Decherd
* FROM PRESIDENT-ELECT JIM TINDALL
* NEW BOARD MEMBERS SELECTED
* 2005 OEMA FALL CONFERENCE
* "NEW" OSLIS
* 2005 BEVERLY CLEARY WINNER
* 2006 BEVERLY CLEARY NOMINEES
* 2005 YRCA WINNERS
* SUMMER SCHOOL AT PORTLAND STATE
* SUMMER SCHOOL AT GEORGE FOX
* WAYNE FREE RETURNING TO OREGON
* "ELEMENTARY BATTLE OF THE BOOKS"
* SPRAY SCHOOL/PUBLIC LIBRARY
* CALENDAR

* PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE - Martha Decherd
One of the joys and wonders of OEMA is the incredible work that our members do every day, for our organization and for the students of Oregon. I have been overwhelmed this year by the dedication of those who choose to give of their time and energy to OEMA.

Yesterday was a perfect example. The OSLIS committee met in Portland with Mark Bardsley and Lorraine Bruce from the University of Washington iSchool. Jim Scheppke and Mary Kay Dahlgreen from the Oregon State Library, and Julie Anderson from the ODE joined us. OEMA members Melanee Lucas, Jim Tindall, Patty Sorensen, Sheryl Steinke, and Mary McClintock came from Beaverton, The Dalles, McMinnville, Eugene and Roseburg on a school day to consult on the changes and updates that are in the works. While the results of the meeting will be reported elsewhere, I want to thank everyone who took the time to attend and to contribute to the growth and improvement of OSLIS.

October 2008 is the date for our next joint conference with WLMA, our counterparts in Washington. Although this may seem like a long way in the future, planning for the conference has already begun. You have the opportunity to participate in the decision making from the very beginning! Mary McClintock, Jim Hayden, Jeri Petzel, and JoAnn Klassen have already agreed to be on the committee. I'm looking for 5 volunteers to fill the following positions for the 2008 joint conference: Extended sessions, Exhibits, Hospitality, Signs, Evaluations and Hosts. Send me an email with your choice of jobs!

* FROM PRESIDENT-ELECT JIM TINDALL

As you approach summer and some rest, please reflect on the year that has passed, please think of the ways that OEMA has enhanced your ability to perform your work duties. Those proofs may be this newsletter or the conference or Interchange or a conversation at a regional conference.
OEMA is about our members; I encourage you to extend this circle of influence by working to increase our membership, specifically, more thoroughly into the ranks of school media assistants in Oregon. It is with more and varied voices that we become a stronger organization. This summer consider extending the benefits of OEMA membership.

* NEW BOARD MEMBERS SELECTED!

Thanks to all of you who voted in the March OEMA election. Although none of the seats were hotly contested, it nice for the nominees to know they have the support of the organization.

Stepping into the position of President-elect is Allen Kopf who brings 25 years of library experience and 5 years of Region 6 Rep leadership to the Board. It will certainly take someone with his focus and commitment to guide us through these lean years.

Merrie Olson will be continuing on as Treasurer for at least another two years. Actually her job is so tricky that if she gets really good at it, she will need to do it forever.

New to the Board is Pat Jacobsen as the Middle School Rep. We may have to talk her into fitting this position into an otherwise restful retirement schedule but as one of the two librarians to meet the QEM standard, I'm sure she can handle it all.

Newly elected Higher Ed Rep., Ruth Murray is merely changing hats having served the last two years as the Middle School Rep. We can look to her for guidance in making sure that we have well trained librarian newbies as well as pre-service teachers well trained to benefit from the services of the well trained librarians.

Also new to the board will be Patti Boyd as Region 3 Rep. and Monica Deutsch as Region 5 Rep.

The election is the easy part. Now you need to make sure that you are willing participant in any grand schemes they organize to make ready to take your place on the Board someday.

* 2005 OEMA FALL CONFERENCE

What could be more enjoyable than blue skies and sunshine in October?

Come to Central Oregon for a "High Time in the High Desert," the Oregon Educational Media Association Fall Conference, on October 14 & 15, 2005, at Eagle Crest Resort in Redmond.

Featured speakers are Nancy Pearl, Jack Prelutsky, and Michael Hoeye.

Extended sessions include online reference, book repair, OSLIS/EBSCO/Lexiles, Big 6 Turbo Tools, Booktalks, and more.

For more information, visit http://www.oema.net/conferences/2005/index.htm for conference information or contact Linda Bilyeu, Conference Chair,
slbilyeu@bend.k12.or.us

* "NEW" OSLIS

When you return to school in the fall, both OSLIS and EBSCO will look new and different.

The OSLIS Committee has previewed the new interfaces which should make searching and finding resources and information much more efficient.

The new OSLIS interface will be rolled out by the iSchool in August, and EBSCO's schedule is to release their new school interface in August also. So wait until you see the new looks before you make copies of the old versions to handout to students and teachers.

* 2005 BEVERLY CLEARY WINNER
The Beverly Cleary Children's Choice Award winner for 2005 is Gooney Bird Greene by Lois Lowry. There were twice the number of schools participating this year as last year!

OEMA received votes from 76 public schools, 7 private schools (including Kansas and Washington), and 4 public libraries!

* 2006 BEVERLY CLEARY NOMINEES

* 2005 YRCA WINNERS

* SUMMER SCHOOL AT PORTLAND STATE: At home or on campus!

Looking for great workshops or classes to attend this summer? Need hours to renew your certificate? How about PSU? You can spend a couple of days and earn a credit. How about a five day week for three credits? Learn about things that you can turn around and apply to your library immediately! Take a class on line and never leave your living room. See the PSU catalog or contact Ruth Murray <murrayr@pdx.edu> or Deanna Draper <draperd@pdx.edu> for details or information.

And finally……… Children’s Book Conference July 11-15.

Imagine being taught by some of your favorite authors. Imagine learning about the craft of writing-illustrating-publishing a children’s book.
Focus on the craft of writing and illustrating for children and young people while working with an outstanding faculty of acclaimed editors, authors and illustrators.

• morning lectures, afternoon workshops
• small group critique sessions with faculty
• topics include fantasy, poetry, plot and character, humor and dialogue
• picture books, nonfiction, middle-grade novel, young adult
• information on publishing, contracts and finding an agent
• individual manuscript critiques and portfolio reviews
• university credit available

Go to http://www.haystack.pdx.edu/children/index.shtml for further information. The conference will be held at Reed College in Portland. Housing available. Contact Ruth Murray <murrayr@pdx.edu> or Elizabeth Snyder <snydere@pdx.edu> for further information.

* SUMMER SCHOOL AT GEORGE FOX

The following classes are offered summer semester at George Fox University. Registration is now open.  Go to http://edfl.georgefox.edu George Fox offers library media endorsement, initial teaching license with library media endorsement, and a masters degree with library media as specialty.

* WAYNE FREE RETURNING TO OREGON

From his outstanding keynote address at the OEMA Fall Conference last October, Wayne Free is returning to Oregon to challenge teacher librarians and classroom teachers on the effective use of technology in instruction. Join fellow teacher librarians from around the state for the Summer Technology Workshop, August 22-24, 2005, at Jesuit High School in Portland, Oregon. You won’t want to miss it!

Registration options are available. For early bird registration, the one-day workshop is $50.00; two-day workshop is $125.00. The latter includes an all-day hands-on session, where Wayne will lead this small group on using the various software products and help you produce a computer presentation. Registration information is available at http://online.jesuitportland.com/tech Click on registration, then click on create a non-member account. Early bird registration ends May 25, 2005. After May 25th, the one-day workshop is $60.00; the two-day workshop is $140.00.
Wayne will provide practical examples of classroom activities modeling the use of technology at all grade levels and across core curricular subjects. He will also demonstrate Practical use of a variety of technologies including: video/audio capture, PowerPoint, Internet capture, website development, DVD/CD-ROM, and a remote mouse.

Invite your colleagues! The Workshop is appropriate for teachers, teacher librarians, media specialists, principals, curriculum coordinators, technology coordinators, professional development specialists, and teacher educators.

Presenter Wayne Free is an award-winning teacher with over 30 years of experience in education (K-16+). He is currently Director of Instructional Advocacy with the Louisiana Association of Educators and for 7 years worked as Director of Professional Development for the Agency for Instructional Technology.

For more information, contact Gregory Lum, summer technology workshop coordinator, at glum@jesuitportland.com

* ELEMENTARY BATTLE OF THE BOOKS

Finally! The Elementary Battle of the Books is finally going to the printers on Friday, April 29. Highsmith assures Sybilla Cook that she will have copies by May 21st. Billy and her co-authors are looking forward to being actually finished with the project! Billy is sure that most of you will find the book in the next copy of the Highsmith Catalog, but she can pass any queries or orders on to the company. Sybilla Cook is available at <sybilla@rosenet.net>.

* SPRAY SCHOOL/PUBLIC LIBRARY

The Spray School Library is now officially the Spray School/Public Library. Librarian Jan Bolton reports that the school library has served the public for years but now it is official. The library is located in Spray, Or. a very small town in Eastern Oregon with 68 students K-12, and is part of the Pioneer Library system. Jan said that she doesn't know if this is news worthy but the library is very excited.

* CALENDAR

OEMA Newsletter -- Editor: Sheryl Steinke

Published monthly on the 5th of the month September through May
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Send news items for the Newsletter to:
* Email: sherylsteinke@comcast.net
* Mail: Sheryl Steinke at 2405 Blacktail Dr. Eugene, OR 97405