ALSC picks 2009 Emerging Leader Madeline Walton-Hadlock

Jenny Najduch
ALSC Marketing Specialist
(312) 280-4026
jnajduch@ala.org

NEWS
For Immediate Release
October 14, 2008

CHICAGO—The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA),  will sponsor Madeline Walton-Hadlock as a 2009 ALA Emerging Leader.  She will receive $1,000 to attend ALA’s 2009 Midwinter Meeting and Annual Conference.

The ALA Emerging Leaders Program began in 2007 as a Presidential initiative of then-ALA President Leslie Burger.  It offers up-and-coming members of ALA the opportunity to build their leadership skills by working with peers on an ALA division, round table or affiliated  project.  As an ALSC sponsored Emerging Leader, Walton-Hadlock will work with peers on a project relevant to ALSC and/or youth services in libraries.

Walton-Hadlock graduated from San JoséStateUniversity in 2006 with her master’s degree in library and information science.  She is now a youth services librarian at San José Public Library, where she coordinates youth services for the English and Spanish speakers in the community.  She has been active in ALSC as a member of the Children and Technology Committee, a participant in the William Morris Seminar and a recipient of a 2008 Penguin Young Readers Group Award.  She is also a member of the California Library Association (CLA).

“Madeline’s application stood out because of her commitment to the children in the community as well as to ALSC,” said ALSC Vice President/President Elect Kate McClelland, who participated in evaluating applications.  “She is actively involved in volunteer school and community outreach organizations and manages a large teen advisory group at her library.  As a librarian working in an disadvantaged area, she is dedicated to providing the best possible services to all of her young patrons.”

Emerging Leaders must be ALA members under the age of 35, or have fewer than five years experience as a degreed librarian, and must either hold a master’s degree in library and information science from an ALA- or NCATE-accredited program or be enrolled in such a program.  Candidates must be able to attend both ALA conferences and must commit to serve on an ALA, Division, Chapter or Round Table committee, task force or workgroup upon completion of the Emerging Leader program. 

ALSC is the world’s largest organization dedicated to the support and enhancement of library service to children.  With a network of more than 4,200 children’s and youth librarians, literature experts, publishers and educational faculty, ALSC is committed to creating a better future for children through libraries.  To learn more about ALSC, visit http://www.ala.org/alsc.