The Bill Morris Book Evaluation Seminar was on my bucket list for librarian adventures since I was an early career librarian working as a teen services librarian in the children’s room of a local San Francisco Public Library Branch.
Meant to teach attendees to hone their critical eye towards children’s books, the seminar offers mentoring and guidance to a range of librarians invited to participate. These librarians are trained to “honor and support William C. Morris’ dedication to connecting librarians, and ultimately children, with excellent children’s books” with teaching “in the group process and in children’s media evaluation techniques.” All attendees in the room have curiosity and interest in serving on ALSC book awards committees.
Serving to uplift books through ALSC book awards committees is a group process and attendees were advised to TRUST THE PROCESS that has been established. Mentors shared their pathway to book award committees, their preparation, surprises, challenges and advice. The following is advice given to new and future librarians serving on book award committees:
- Make time and space to read
- Make time and space for reflection
- Make time and space to be present with committee members
- Focus. Don’t procrastinate
- Be present with the process
- Enjoy the process
- Be mindful of the process
- Your opinion matters
- Your responsibility is to share and listen
- Keep reading, keep talking about books
- Trust the process, trust the group
- Don’t limit yourself to serving on book awards committees! Volunteer in different capacities, to network and become familiar with expectations
If you are interested in volunteering for ALSC, note that the ALSC Committee page is under construction. Check out the tips and tricks section of the ALSC Committee page, too!
(Feature image at top of page is courtesy of guest blogger, Jen Woo)
Today’s Guest Conference Contributor is Jen Woo (she/her/hers). Jen is the Family Engagement Coordinator at San Francisco Public Library (the unceded Ancestral homeland of the Ramaytush Ohlone peoples). With ten years of youth services librarianship, she is most looking forward to the Bill Morris Seminar, meeting folks, sharing ideas and later – making ideas happen at the Library. As a child, she wanted to be a veterinarian and a fire fighter. Alas, she is neither but does own a cat named Bird and is an avid birdwatcher. You can find her drinking coffee, tea and trying to stay warm and cozy at the Institute.
Please note that as a guest post, the views expressed here do not represent the official position of ALA or ALSC.
If you are interested in submitting a guest post, please read and fill out our Guest Blogging Interest Form. We would love to hear from you!
The post #alsc26 Behind the Scenes at the Bill Morris Book Evaluation Seminar appeared first on ALSC Blog.
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