ALSC selects 28 participants for Bill Morris Seminar

Contact: Jenny Najduch


ALSC Marketing Specialist


312-280-4026


jnajduch@ala.org

For Immediate Release


November 24, 2009

CHICAGO — The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) has selected 28 members to take part in the second biennial “Bill Morris Seminar: Book Evaluation Training,” being held on Friday, Jan. 15, 2010, prior to the ALA Midwinter Meeting in Boston.Â

This invitational seminar honors William C. Morris’ dedication to connecting librarians and children with excellent children’s books. It brings ALSC members with limited evaluation experience together with those who have served on ALSC’s media evaluation committees for training and mentorship. Participants learn from experienced ALSC leaders about the importance of the group process and children’s media evaluation techniques.  Â

“This year we received nearly 100 applications from outstanding candidates across the country, so, with only 28 spots to fill, the competition was really stiff,” said ALSC past-president and Morris Seminar Advisory Committee member Kathleen T. Horning. “This speaks to the excellence of librarians serving children and their desire to hone their skills so they can be even better at their jobs.”

Participants in this year’s Bill Morris Seminar include: Megan Albright, Lauren Anduri, Natalie Arthur, Dana Buttler, Tony Carmack, Amber Creger, Betsy Crone, Julie Dietzel-Glair, Naphtali Faris, Michele Farley, Marianne Follis, Natasha Forrester, Kerry Gleason, Karen Kessel, Jennifer Knight, Susan Kusel, Susan Melcher, Mary Michell, Sally Miculek, Kiera Parrott, Deanna Romriell, Jill Rothstein, Sharon Salluzzo, Mary Schreiber, Ursula Schwaiger, Tracy Van Dyne, Eva Volin and Stephanie Wilson.

Morris was a longtime ALSC member and friend, the recipient of the first ALSC Distinguished Service Award and an advocate for children’s librarians and literature.  Morris was former vice-president and director of library promotion at HarperCollins Children’s Books. The ALSC William C. Morris Endowment was established in 2000 and activated in 2003 upon his death. Morris envisioned his endowment funding programs, publications, events and/or awards that would promote excellence in children’s literature.

The Bill Morris Seminar will be held again in 2012 at ALA Midwinter Meeting in Dallas, Texas. For more information about the seminar, please visit ALSC online at
www.tinyurl.com/morrisseminar10. Â

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 4,200 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 their Web site at
www.ala.org/alsc.