ALSC invites applications for 2014 Arbuthnot Lecture with Andrea Davis Pinkney

CHICAGO - The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) and the 2014 May Hill Arbuthnot Lecture Committee announce the opening of the application to host the 2014 event featuring Andrea Davis Pinkney.

The Arbuthnot Lecture is an annual event, announced at the American Library Association’s Midwinter Meeting, in which an author, critic, librarian, historian or teacher of children’s literature presents a paper that makes a significant contribution to the field. A library school, department of education in a college or university or a children’s library system may be considered. The lecture is administered by ALSC.

Host site application forms can be downloaded at http://www.ala.org/alsc/2014-arbuthnot-host-app. Applications are due April 22, 2013. Information about host site responsibilities is included in the application materials. The lecture traditionally is held in April or early May.

In January, Andrea Davis Pinkney was chosen by the Arbuthnot Lecture Committee to speak in 2014. “We are honored to recognize Andrea Pinkney for her significant contributions to literature for young people provided through a body of work that brings a deeper understanding of African American heritage,” stated 2014 Arbuthnot Committee Chair Susan Moore.

Andrea Davis Pinkney is a New York Times best-selling writer of more than 20 books for children and young adults, including picture books, novels and nonfiction. During the course of her career, Pinkney has launched many high-profile publishing and entertainment entities, including Hyperion Books for Children/Disney Publishing’s Jump at the Sun imprint, the first African American children’s book imprint at a major publishing company.

Pinkney’s work includes such award winning titles as “Let it Shine: Stories of Black Women Freedom Fighters,” illustrated by Stephen Alcorn, published by Harcourt, a Coretta Scott King Author Honor Book and “Duke Ellington: The Piano Prince and His Orchestra,” illustrated by Brian Pinkney, published by Hyperion Books for Children, a Caldecott Honor and Coretta Scott King Honor Book.

ALSC established this lecture series in 1969, with sponsorship from Scott, Foresman and Company (now Pearson Scott Foresman) in honor of author May Hill Arbuthnot. The lectureship, now funded by the ALSC May Hill Arbuthnot Honor Lecture Endowment, has the distinction of featuring many notable authors, critics, librarians, historians and teachers of children’s literature from various countries. Past lecturers over the decades have included Mary Ørvig, Leland B. Jacobs, Virginia Hamilton, Maurice Sendak and Richard Jackson. Michael Morpurgo will deliver the 2013 May Hill Arbuthnot Honor Lecture on will be held on May 16, 2013 at the Linehan Chapel in the Golisano Academic Center of Nazareth College in Rochester, N.Y.

ALSC, a division of the American Library Association (ALA), is the world’s largest organization dedicated to the support and enhancement of library service to children. With a network of more than 4,000 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 ALSC’s Web site at www.ala.org/alsc.

Members of the 2014 Arbuthnot Honor Lecture Committee are: Chair Susan Moore, San Diego County Library; Elizabeth Enochs, Fort Worth Independent School District, Fort Worth, Texas; Sue Z. Rokos, Mohawk Valley Library System, Schenectady, N.Y.; Linda Sawyer, Skokie (Ill.) Public Library; and Martha M. Walke, Children`s Literature New England, South Strafford, Vt.