Authors A2A Roundtable Notes, March 16, 2009

Notes by Kate Boesser kateboesser@mail.com

ATTENDEES:

Carol Race                   Juneau

Katie Sanders               Fairbanks

Jennifer Simeonoff          Old Harbor

Cynthia Brian                 Cantwell

Dona Helmer                Anchorage

Bonnie Cavanaugh        Wasilla

Kate Boesser               Gustavus

Elections of Officers for upcoming year:

Charlotte Glover, Chair

Dona Helmer: Chair Elect

Kate Boesser: Secretary

Treasurer: Sue Sherif

BUDGET:

Submitted by Treasurer Sue Sherif:

Ending Balance 2-28-09: $2,912.89

This figure does not include this current conference expenses

THANKS

Thanks to Barbara Rudio from Kodiak for organizing book sales.  It was a lot of work! It might be a good idea to have local bookstores deal with the books in the future.

MINI-GRANTS AVAILABLE

• There are two $200 mini-grants for a library within the local conference district to bring a conference author to the  local library.  Contact the A2A Chair for more information. Requests for funding due in January; announced in February.

• Note:  Old Harbor and possibly other small sites would be willing to have an author visit even on holiday. 

• Jacque Peterson is the school library liaison with AKLA.

IDEAS FOR A2A BOARD:

There is funding to allow $ for travel for the A2A chair for ALA or PLNA conference. 

THIS YEAR’S SPEAKER

2009 Roland Smith was $2000 for 2 presentations. He was a very enjoyable speaker and very popular with both the public and school librarians.

SUGGESTIONS FOR 2010 SPEAKERS:

 Please contact for more information on speakers who were considered for 2010

SITKA – “Catch the Spirit of Reading”

Sitka librarians Jenny Blackson and Kari Sagel have received  a grant to purchase 30 books of an author. They made mail-out packets, followed by the author visit to a school/district. View website at: www.akspiritofreading.com

OTHER IDEAS FOR AUTHORS TO LIBRARIES

Authors interact with GCI VTC (video teleconferencing camera), skype, poscasting in real time; Could be done in library or at Rally or Boys and Girl’s Club

ECOUNCIL IDEAS

• ECouncil might consider an award for multicultural Yupik books and authors including translations.  We are in great need in this state of native language printed materials. --LKSD – Dona
• Suggestion made that Akla might have an award for Alaskan-written nonfiction or put Alaskan author’s books into Battle Books, a great boost to an authors of non-fiction and which would encourage Alaskan material for Alaskan readers. 
• These 2 ideas could be posted on the ECouncil website.

IDEAS FOR 2010 CONFERENCE

• Conference on the Alaska State ferry – southeast route?