McCall Public Library receives 2026 Maureen Hayes Author/Illustrator Award

CHICAGO - The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), has announced that the McCall Public Library of McCall, Idaho, is the recipient of the 2026 Maureen Hayes Author/Illustrator Award.

Established with funding from Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, in honor of Maureen Hayes, this award provides up to $4,000 to an ALSC member’s library to fund a visit from an author/illustrator to speak with children who might not otherwise have the opportunity to hear from a nationally known author/illustrator. 

The McCall Public Library will host author Colleen AF Venable this summer as part of its Summer Reading Program Kickoff and the grand opening of its new Children's Discovery Garden.

With this event the library hopes to help address educational goals and keep the community interest in STEM programming alive and growing. The McCall Public Library will partner with the Donnelly Library District, Ignite Family Resource Center, and Barbara R. Morgan Elementary School. These community partnerships will allow the expansion of funding, marketing, and community support.

Co-chairs Tammie Benham and Lauren Brandstetter said, “The committee was impressed by the McCall Public Library’s attention to detail in outlining accessibility features in its proposal, as well as featuring partnerships and community support to host an author whose work is closely tied to community interests.”

Michelle Leo, vice president, director of education & library marketing for Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing said, “We are delighted that Colleen AF Venable will visit the McCall Public Library because of the Maureen Hayes Award. We are proud to continue to support this worthwhile program that celebrates the love of books and their creators.”

About the Association for Library Service to Children

ALSC, a division of the ALA, is the world’s largest organization dedicated to the support and enhancement of library service to children. With a network of more than 3,000 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 website at www.ala.org/alsc. 

About the American Library Association 
The American Library Association (ALA) is the foremost national organization providing resources to inspire library and information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. For 150 years, the ALA has been the trusted voice for academic, public, school, government, and special libraries, advocating for the profession and the library’s role in enhancing learning and ensuring access to information for all. For more information, visit www.ala.org.