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It began immediately after the Youth Media Awards were announced on Monday. Quiet whispers to friends and colleagues: “I was surprised by this committee’s choice” and “Why wasn’t this title selected?” and “How could that title have won?” and “My pick didn’t win and it should have!”

While I’ve often heard this kind of discussion after the announcement, I haven’t always had the words to articulate a response. But this year’s announcements for me were colored by a very new and different experience — on Friday, I had the great privilege of attending ALSC’s 2016 Morris Seminar. Here are some of the things I learned:

• Every book has faults. It’s about what book rises to the top of the pile.
• Only discuss the books on the table. You can’t talk about books from previous years.
• When you read independently, you read in a vacuum. The committee as a whole is stronger together.
• While at a group discussion, it is possible to change your mind several times in the span of a few minutes.
• No one is as widely read as the committee and no one has re-read as often as the committee.
• The committee must come to a consensus. Even committee members may not see their favorite awarded.

So, where does that leave you with your commentary? With your thoughts? With the books that you wanted to win?

Just because your favorite book didn’t win a shiny sticker doesn’t mean its days are over. Maybe that book won a different award — an invisible award — one that only you can award.

Instead of worrying about how the committee didn’t honor your choice, you honor it. You champion it. You make sure that it gets in the hands of your patrons or students and your readers. Choose it for storytime. Create a display around it. Suggest it to be the next book club book in your library or your friends group or your town. Put it on a booklist. Nominate it for your state’s reader award if you have one.

Making your difference of thoughts from the committee’s known may make you feel better, but it can take away the committee’s hard work and joy. And it doesn’t help your choice.

Take the time to make a positive contribution. Take the time to award your own choice. Award it your heart and your time and your energy. Make it the winner of your own awards.

So, what books are you going to champion? Who won your heart this year and how are you going to promote it? Let me know in the comments!

– Katie Salo
Early Literacy Librarian
Indian Prairie Public Library
http://storytimekatie.com

The post How the Morris Seminar Changed My View on Awards appeared first on ALSC Blog.

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ALSC is now seeking applications for the 2016 ALSC Bill Morris Seminar to be held on Friday, January 8, 2016, prior to the ALA Midwinter Meeting in Boston, Ma. The seminar will be facilitated by ALSC member leaders including past committee members and chairs of evaluation committees, and will focus on children’s book and media evaluation.

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.

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

The ALSC William C. Morris Endowment will support those selected to attend the training seminar by offering the seminar at no charge to the attendee. This includes all materials, breakfast and lunch. To help defray additional costs for hotel and other expenses, a $300 stipend for each attendee will be provided from the Morris Endowment.

An advisory group consisting of ALSC member leaders who have previously served and/or chaired evaluation committees will review the applications and letters of nomination to select the attendees.

Selected attendees will be required to complete pre-seminar readings and assignments so that they are able to fully participate on the day of the seminar. This will include reading articles, books and materials for discussion. Assignments and some materials will be available to access online.

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

• Be personal members of ALSC as well as ALA. Organizational members are not eligible.
• Seek permission from supervisor for time off to attend the seminar, prior to submitting application.
• Have access to a computer, internet, email and a printer.
• 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 1 business day.
• Arrange for 1 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.

For more information and a link to the online application please visit http://www.ala.org/alsc/morrisseminar.

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