Distinguished Service Award winner announced

Contact: Marsha P. Durrett


Program Coordinator


(312) 280-2166


mdurrett@ala.org

For Immediate Release


February 6, 2006

Distinguished Service Award winner announced

CHICAGO -
Mimi Kayden, HarperCollins Books, is this year's recipient of the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) Distinguished Service Award.

The award honors an individual ALSC member who has made significant contributions to, and had an impact on, library service to children and the Association for Library Service to Children.

Kayden, a consummate liaison between writers, illustrators, librarians, teachers and the world of children's literature, has brought authors, illustrators and librarians together for over 40 years. A graduate of Wellesley College, this well-read individual always recognized the value of introducing fine literature to children at the earliest age possible. In working with authors and illustrators, she kept this vision. As a marketing representative in publishing houses from Harper Row, to Dutton, Penguin, North-South Books, and at last back to HarperCollins, she has maintained the highest standards in introducing books to users of all ages and stations in life.

Kayden has served on a number of ALSC committees and the ALSC Board. She has aided program-planning committees over the years by providing access to the authors and illustrators she so passionately believed in. Those librarians who have come in contact with her over her 40 years have known a woman who is cheerfully energetic, direct and passionate about the authors, illustrators and librarians she has served.

Members of the 2006 Distinguished Service Award Committee are: Chair, Therese Bigelow, Kansas City (Mo.) Public Library; Randall Enos, Ramapo Catskill (N.Y.) Library System; John Peters, New York Public Library; Marilyn Payne Phillips, University City (Mo.) Public Library, and Henrietta Smith, University of South Florida, Tampa, Fla.