Bill Morris Seminar: Book Evaluation Training

William Morris Seminar: Book Evaluation Training

The Morris Seminar is a biennial, all-day seminar that takes place the day immediately preceding ALSC National Institute.

2024 Bill Morris Book Evaluation Seminar at ALSC National Institute

Thank you to those of you who participated in the 2024 Morris Seminar on Thursday, September 19, 2024, at the Hilton Denver City Center in Denver, Colorado, to learn together about children's media evaluation techniques!

Applications for the 2026 cohort will open in late 2025 or early 2026.

Details

Through the support of the ALSC William C. Morris Endowment, ALSC offers this training seminar at no charge to attendees; this includes all materials, breakfast and lunch. To help defray additional costs for hotel and other expenses, a $450 stipend for each attendee will be provided from the Morris Endowment. Further, should they choose to stay and further their professional development beyond the seminar, the participants at the seminar will be eligible for a reduced registration rate for ALSC 024 National Institute.

Applicant Information

Applicants for the Morris Seminar should be ALSC members with limited evaluation experience. The seminar is intended for those who have not served on ALSC book award evaluation committees in the past. Applicants must:

• Be personal members of ALSC as well as ALA. If you have questions about membership, please email contact ALA's Membership Office.
• Seek permission from supervisor for time off to attend the seminar prior to submitting application.
• Submit a completed application and recommendation by the due date. Late entries will not be considered. Applicants will receive confirmation that their application has been received within one business day.
• Arrange for ONE letter of recommendation from ALSC members or library peers who can attest to your potential as an ideal candidate for children’s media evaluation training. Letter must be submitted at time of application submission.
• If selected, maintain ALSC membership and be a potential candidate for future service on an ALSC media evaluation committee.

Selected participants will be required to:

• Attend the seminar for the full duration of the day.
• Complete pre-seminar readings and assignments so that they are able to fully participate at the seminar (including reading articles, books and materials for discussion, many of which will be available online).
• Acquire the texts for small-group evaluation discussions themselves.

Purpose

The purpose of the Bill Morris Seminar: Book Evaluation Training is to honor and support William C. Morris’ dedication to connecting librarians, and ultimately children, with excellent children’s books. This seminar will bring new ALSC members and members with limited evaluation experience together with those who have served on ALSC’s media evaluation committees in an environment to train and mentor them in the group process and in children’s media evaluation techniques. The seminar will result in new and emerging leaders for future ALSC evaluation committees. (Check out a ALSC Blog post from a past Morris participant about her experience and takeaways!)