Recertification of eligible schools:
A list of 192 schools which provided complete applications and met the requirements for NMRLS member certification was approved unanimously for recertification. See list of eligible schools below. (Note: additional schools will be recertified pending receipt of further information and Board action in May.)

Decision not to recertify ineligible schools:
A list of 34 schools which did not provide complete applications for member certification was provided. It was noted that the failure to submit a completed eligibility form leads NMRLS to the conclusion that these schools do not have a certified library teacher/media specialist on staff. Each school on the list was invited to attend the April Executive Board Meeting to address the Board. None were in attendance. It was stated that removal from certification could be used as leverage at the local level to reinstate school library teachers or media specialists. Nancy George, President, commented that it was with deep regret that this action must be taken. The Board unanimously approved the motion to deny recertification for these libraries.

Discussion Items

Executive Board comments on the Strategic Plan Implementation Schedule:
Greg Pronevitz let the Board members know that several NMRLS committees have had a chance to comment on the Strategic Plan Implementation Plan. He stated that the comments have not been incorporated into the document as of yet, and invited comments from the Board members present. Hearing none, Nancy George invited Board members to email comments to Pronevitz. Pronevitz will then email a final draft to the Board for approval at the June meeting.

Massachusetts Bay Charter:
Discussion ensued regarding the potential sale by the Salem Athenaeum of the Massachusetts Bay Charter currently on deposit at the Peabody Essex Museum. Greg Pronevitz began the discussion by summarizing the situation and stating that it is possible that NMRLS may be contacted for a statement about the potential sale. The underlying questions of the Board's discussion were: is there a consensus among the Board members regarding the sale and should NMRLS take a stand on the potential sale. There was consensus that the news coverage may keep this situation in the public eye and therefore have some influence on how, and perhaps to whom, it is sold. Discussion points included: the importance of maintaining access to this important public document; whether we should take a stand now or wait and see what happens continued, and about what NMRLS would do with a statement if we did agree as a group. The discussion ended with no formal statement about the transaction, and a continued interest in the progress of the potential sale.

Reports

North of Boston Library Exchange, Inc (NOBLE):
At the Board's request, Ron Gagnon and Marilyn Graves presented overviews and updates on two aspects of NOBLE. First NOBLE is a member driven organization, noted that it was the first library network in Massachusetts and that it served both public and academic libraries. Gagnon stated that 3.6 million items were loaned last year. NOBLE recently improved its Internet connection and carried out a complete telecommunications system upgrade in libraries and NOBLE, including a new Innovative server. Future initiatives include a federated search service, PC Reservation/Print Management system for libraries to be installed via the central server, and purchase and installation of a new server to help house member digital objects and web pages. Gagnon then turned the presentation over to Marilyn Graves, NOBLE Inter Library Loan Librarian.

Marilyn Graves presented an overview of the services of the ILL Center provides for the "southern half" of NMRLS' members under a contract funded by NMRLS. Graves also noted some interesting requests she has mediated as well as changes in the formats of loans.

Board Development Committee:
Barbara Lachance announced the preliminary slate of candidates for NMRLS Office.

PALS (Presidents, Administrators, and Liaisons of Regional Library Systems):
Greg Pronevitz and Nancy George briefly reported on the PALS meeting held on March 29, 2006 at the SEMLS office in Lakeville. Pronevitz noted the continuing success of MassAnswers and reported that 14,000 questions were answered last year. The Boston Public Library covers the cost of the software and after placing a small ad in "Real Simple" Magazine, hits to the website increased. Pronevitz also reminded Board members of the Contiguous Reference Survey during the week of April 24, 2006.

George reported on an item that was of particular interest to her. The Boston Public Library, in its role as Library of Last Recourse, was considering creating an online form through which any resident of Massachusetts could apply for a card. This card, once obtained, could then be used to expand access to electronic databases to all residents of the commonwealth. The BPL anticipates that licensing would be based upon the user group (i.e. the number of people holding BPL cards) instead of geography (Boston proper). Marlene Heroux noted that this plan is currently on hold as the BPL irons out union staffing issues and database licensing issues.

MBLC Report:
In addition, Marlene Heroux noted that the MBLC hopes that a better draft of the State budget for libraries is forthcoming. She also stated that the MBLC has adjusted funding for LSTA grants; nine more construction grants have been added to the waiting list and that the Cambridge Public Library project has been funded. The Statewide Delivery Committee's "Best Practices" document is in the planning stages.

Upcoming Meetings:

Date	Location	Time
Thursday, May 18, 2006	Stevens Memorial Library, North Andover	2:30-4:30
Wednesday, June 14, 2006	NMRLS, Danvers	2:30-4:30

Schools Eligible for Recertification (April 11, 2006)

Amesbury Elementary School	Amesbury
Cashman Elementary School	Amesbury
Amesbury High School	Amesbury
Amesbury Middle School	Amesbury
Phillips Academy	Andover
Pike School	Andover
High Plain Elementary School	Andover
Bancroft Elementary School	Andover
Sanborn Elementary School	Andover
South Elementary School	Andover
West Elementary School	Andover
Andover High School	Andover
Doherty Middle School	Andover
West Middle School	Andover
Wood Hill Middle School	Andover
Gr. Lawrence Technical School	Andover
Shore Country Day School	Beverly
Landmark School	Beverly
Centerville Elementary School	Beverly
Hannah Elementary School	Beverly
McKeown Elementary School	Beverly
North Beverly Elementary School	Beverly
Briscoe Middle School	Beverly
Ditson Elementary School	Billerica
Hajjar Elementary School	Billerica
Parker Elementary School	Billerica
Vining Elementary School	Billerica
Billerica Memorial High School	Billerica
Locke Middle School	Billerica
Marshall Middle School	Billerica
Spofford Pond Elementary School	Billerica
Francis Wyman Elementary School	Burlington
Burlington High School	Burlington
Marshall Simonds Middle School	Burlington
Governor Dummer Academy	Byfield
Triton Regional High School	Byfield
Carlisle Elementary School	Carlisle
Byam Elementary School	Chelmsford
Center Elementary School	Chelmsford
South Row Elementary School	Chelmsford
Westlands Elementary School	Chelmsford
McCarthy Middle School	Chelmsford
Parker Middle School	Chelmsford
St. John's Prep School	Danvers
Great Oak Elementary School	Danvers
Highlands Elementary School	Danvers
Riverside Elementary School	Danvers
Smith Elementary School	Danvers
Thorpe Elementary School	Danvers
Danvers High School	Danvers
Holten Richmond Middle School	Danvers
Dracut High School	Dracut
Lakeview Jr. High School	Dracut
Essex Elementary School	Essex
Pope John XXIII High School	Everett
George Keverian School	Everett
Sumner G. Whittier School	Everett
Parlin School	Everett
Everett High School	Everett
Madeline English School	Everett
Georgetown Middle/High School	Georgetown
Gloucester High School	Gloucester
Bagnall School	Groveland
Essex Agricultural & Technical High School	Hathorne
Bradford Elementary School	Haverhill
Golden Hill Elementary School	Haverhill
Pentucket Lake Elementary School	Haverhill
Silver Hill Elementary School	Haverhill
Haverhill High School	Haverhill
Whittier Reg. Voc. Tech. High School	Haverhill
Ipswich Middle/High School	Ipswich
Central Catholic High School	Lawrence
Emily G. Wetherbee School	Lawrence
South Lawrence East School	Lawrence
Lawrence High School	Lawrence
Gerard Guilmette School	Lawrence
Ste Jeanne d'Arc School	Lowell
Washington School	Lowell
J. G. Pyne Arts Magnet School	Lowell
Reilly School	Lowell
S. Christa McAuliffe Elementary School	Lowell
Lowell High School	Lowell
An Wang Middle School	Lowell
B. F. Butler Middle School	Lowell
Daley Middle School	Lowell
E.N. Rogers Middle School	Lowell
James F. Sullivan Middle School	Lowell
Robinson Middle School	Lowell
Stoklosa Middle School	Lowell
St. Mary's High School	Lynn
Harrington Elementary School	Lynn
Drewicz Elementary School	Lynn
Lincoln-Thomson Elementary School	Lynn
Robert Ford Elementary School	Lynn
Shoemaker Elementary School	Lynn
Lynn Classical High School	Lynn
Lynn English High School	Lynn
Huckleberry Hill Elementary School	Lynnfield
Summer Street Elementary School	Lynnfield
Lynnfield High School	Lynnfield
Brookwood School	Manchester
Manchester Essex Regional High School	Manchester
Tower School	Marblehead
Eveleth School	Marblehead
Glover Elementary School	Marblehead
Village School	Marblehead
Marblehead High School	Marblehead
Marblehead Veterans Middle School	Marblehead
Herbert Clark Hoover School	Melrose
Horace Mann School	Melrose
Lincoln School	Melrose
Roosevelt School	Melrose
Winthrop School	Melrose
Melrose High School	Melrose
Melrose Veteran's Memorial Middle School	Melrose
St. Ann's Home	Methuen
Comprehensive Grammar School	Methuen
Marsh Grammar School	Methuen
Tenney Grammar School	Methuen
Timony Grammar School	Methuen
Methuen High School	Methuen
North Shore Technical High School	Middleton
Newbury Elementary School	Newbury
Bresnahan Elementary School	Newburyport
Newburyport High School	Newburyport
R.A. Nock Middle School	Newburyport
Brooks School	North Andover
St. Michael School	North Andover
Annie L. Sargent Elem. School	North Andover
Atkinson Elementary School	North Andover
Franklin Elementary School	North Andover
Kittredge Elementary School	North Andover
Thomson Elementary School	North Andover
North Andover High School	North Andover
Harrington Elementary School	North Chelmsford
Chelmsford High School	North Chelmsford
North Reading High School	North Reading
North Reading Middle School	North Reading
Bishop Fenwick High School	Peabody
Thomas Carroll Elementary School	Peabody
Capt. Samuel Brown School	Peabody
Peabody Veterans Memorial High School	Peabody
Higgins Middle School	Peabody
Austin Preparatory School	Reading
Wood End School	Reading
J. W. Killam School	Reading
Joshua Eaton Elementary School	Reading
Reading Memorial High School	Reading
A. W. Coolidge Middle School	Reading
W. S. Parker Middle School	Reading
Rockport Elementary School	Rockport
Rockport High/Middle School	Rockport
Pine Grove Elementary School	Rowley
Collins Middle School	Salem
Salisbury Elementary School	Salisbury
Saugus High School	Saugus
Pingree School	South Hamilton
Winthrop School	South Hamilton
Hamilton-Wenham Reg. High School	South Hamilton
Stoneham High School	Stoneham
Swampscott High School	Swampscott
Swampscott Middle School	Swampscott
John F. Ryan Elementary School	Tewksbury
Proctor School	Topsfield
Steward School	Topsfield
Masconomet Regional High School	Topsfield
Masconomet Regional Middle School	Topsfield
Tyngsborough High School	Tyngsborough
Greater Lowell Technical High School	Tyngsborough
St. Joseph's Elementary School	Wakefield
Our Lady of Nazareth Academy	Wakefield
Wakefield High School	Wakefield
Galvin Middle School	Wakefield
Northeast Metro Reg. Voc. School	Wakefield
Page Elementary School	West Newbury
Pentucket Regional High School	West Newbury
Col. John Robinson Elementary School	Westford
Crisafulli Elementary School	Westford
Rita E. Miller Elementary School	Westford
Norman E. Day Elementary School	Westford
Westford Academy	Westford
Blanchard Middle School	Westford
Stony Brook School	Westford
Nashoba Valley Technical High School	Westford
Shawsheen Elementary School	Wilmington
Woburn Street Elementary School	Wilmington
Wilmington High School	Wilmington
North Intermediate School	Wilmington
West Intermediate School	Wilmington
Wilmington Middle School	Wilmington
Winthrop High School	Winthrop
Winthrop Middle School	Winthrop