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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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I had a mind-blowing time at the Bill Morris Seminar  in Boston. The gist of it is: you take a room, fill it with librarians from all over the country at varying times in their librarian and ALSC careers, and then have incredible people lecture them on book evaluation and put them into discussion groups to apply what they’ve learned. Here is my illustrated wrap-up of the day, with wise words from KT Horning (sometimes reading the words of out-sick Martha Parravano), Thom Barthelmess, Mary Burkey, Kevin Delecki, Randy Enos, Junko Yokoto, and other participants.

All original artwork copyright 2016, Lisa Nowlain

Lisa Nowlain is the Harold W. McGraw Jr. Fellow and Children’s Librarian at Darien Library in Darien, CT (you can be the next one! Apply by April 1 at www.darienlibrary.org/mcgrawfellowship) She is also an artist-type (see more at www.lisanowlain.com).

The post #ALAMW16 Illustrated Morris Seminar Wrapup appeared first on ALSC Blog.

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ALSC President, Andrew Medlar welcomed attendees to #alamw16 and the Bill Morris Seminar, “summer camp, minus the poison ivy,” and encouraged us to take it all in, and enjoy the day.

Like summer camp, I met new people, learned new things, was placed outside my comfort zone, left with some new tools in my bag, and the desire to do it all over again.
The day opened with KT Horning and Thom Barthelmess covering the basics of book evaluation and getting the most out of books. Some key take-aways:

• Always look for the good, expect it
• Every book is a clean slate
• Know yourself, but question yourself
• LISTEN, actively when in discussion about books
• EVERY book has flaws
• In the end, it’s just you and the book

From here, small groups discussed a variety of award winners from the previous year. These groups were like heading back to your cabin at the end of full day of camp activities, and knowing the excitement is just beginning.

Discussion started strained, but very quickly each “camper” opened up and as one noted, it was like our ideas were piling up on the table and we were learning more and more about each and every title. This process was amazing, but was extremely rushed as we tried to get it all in before “lights out.” Back to the large group for sharing opportunities, lunch, networking and finishing off with a panel discussion from past ALSC Awards Committee chairs. Throughout the day, “campers” were eager to learn more tips and tricks of the trade and to hopefully prepare for a future that includes sitting on an awards committee.

Before I knew it, camp was over. An amazing day to say the least…apply, you won’t be sorry!

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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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ALSC is seeking applications for its third biennial “Bill Morris Seminar: Book Evaluation Training,” to be held on Friday, January 24, 2014, prior to the ALA Midwinter Meeting in Philadelphia. This invitational seminar supports and honors William C. Morris’ dedication to connecting librarians and children with excellent children’s books.

The Morris 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 Morris Endowment supports those selected to attend the training seminar by offering the seminar at no charge to the attendee. This includes all materials, breakfast, lunch, and afternoon break on Friday. To help defray additional costs for hotel and other expenses, a $200 stipend for each attendee will be provided by the endowment.

“The Morris Seminar offers an inspiring and invigorating opportunity to explore the dynamics of group discussion while engaging with experts in the field of book evaluation,” said ALSC President Starr LaTronica. “Participants make strong connections to peers and leaders and come away with a renewed confidence in book discussion. This is a unique and invaluable experience for all involved and it ensures ALSC maintains its legacy of distinguished award-winning books.”

Morris was a long-time ALSC member and friend, the recipient of the first ALSC Distinguished Service Award as well as 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.

Information and the application form are available on the ALSC website: http://www.ala.org/alsc/morrisseminar. Questions should be directed to ALSC Executive Director Aimee Strittmatter or 800-545-2433, x2162. Applications must be received by Friday, September 20, 2013. Attendees selected to attend the seminar will be notified during the last week in October.

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I remember first hearing about the Bill Morris Seminar from a very active colleague in ALSC, but I was just a little bit too late to even be considered for the first seminar as all the participants had been selected and had accepted their invitations. I was politely told by a staff member in the ALSC office that the next seminar would be held in January of 2010, at ALA Midwinter in Boston. Trust me, that was a date I wasn’t going to forget.

I closely monitored the ALSC website for the announcement of when the applications were available for the 2010 seminar. I made sure it was completed with every ounce of useful professional knowledge I could pick out of my brain and chose my two professional colleagues who also had to write letters of recommendation. And then I waited.

I received the phone call from Jenny Najduch, Program Officer, Continuing Education at ALSC. I received the call while attending AASL in Charlotte. She had left me a voice message telling me I had been selected to participate in the 2010 Bill Morris Seminar. To this day, I still have that message on my phone almost 14 months later. It is a great picker upper when things are just not going right. I know how lucky I was to be chosen.

Bill Morris was legendary to those who knew him; authors, publishers, editors, illustrators, librarians, and most of all to his friends. He remains an icon in the publishing world some seven years after his death. Just ask any veteran ALSC member or a representative in the booth at HarperCollins and they can’t say enough good about him and what he did to promote children’s literature. It’s really disheartening more of us did not know him, but through this seminar and listening to bits of talk about him, you get the sense that maybe, just maybe, you knew him for a moment.

Our day was fantastic. We had two general sessions in the morning; Evaluating Nonfiction(Kathy Isaacs had the absolute, most funniest picture, of boxes upon boxes of books piled in her house when serving on the ALA Notable Children’s Book Awards Committee)and How Book Discussion Works. We then were divided into pre-assigned smaller groups for book discussion. Now being a librarian, how much more engaging and worthwhile could this be? It was absolutely the best. Hearing what others in the group had to say, their perspectives, what they liked and didn’t like was all very interesting. But also having the expertise of several ALSC member leaders to lead and guide the discussions was invaluable. They kept everything on track.

In the afternoon we had a panel discussion; ALSC Award and Notable Children’s Book Committee and another breakout session for small group discussion. Following this we had large group reporting and closing remarks.

I highly recommend the seminar to anyone who is passionate about Children’s Literature or who is considering serving on a Newbery or Caldecott Committee.

Stephanie Wilson
School Library System Director
Elmira, NY
[email protected]

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I was so excited when I heard that ALSC was going to host the first Bill Morris Seminar.  I couldn’t wait to apply.  The thought of spending time learning about evaluating library materials with people from all over the country was very appealing to me.  I knew the seminar would help me in my every day job of selecting materials for my library.  I also knew that it would help me to achieve some of my goals to join some incredibly fun book award committees.  I was so happy that my application was selected and I was invited to attend.

I eagerly anticipated the day of the Bill Morris Seminar.  I knew just from the reading list that it was going to be a fun day with some great book discussion.  I was prepared with books, notes and a head full of thoughts.  I loved hearing from the ALSC President and from K.T. Horning.  I also enjoyed breaking into groups to discuss the books we read prior to seminar day with group facilitators who had chaired and served on many ALSC Award Committees.

The information and skills that I gained through the Bill Morris Seminar have been a big help with my work as a Children’s Librarian.  I use the book evaluation skills every day to select materials for my library.  I have also used my knowledge at several mock award events in the Kansas City area and with local book discussion groups.  I have since served on some Missouri State Book Award Committees and I am just waiting for my call from the Notables Committee *wink*.  In addition to learning about evaluation materials one of the most important things that I got out of attending the Bill Morris Seminar was some great friendships with some like minded and outstanding librarians.  It is wonderful to have a great network of colleagues all over the country and I still exchange book reviews and get suggestions from some of the great friends that I met that day.

I would encourage anyone interested in books, children and reading to apply for the 2010 Bill Morris Seminar.  It was an amazing opportunity that is still paying off for me today!

April Roy
Plaza Kid’s Corner
Kansas City, MO

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Don’t hesitate—start working on that Morris Seminar application right now (or as soon as you finish reading the ALSC blog). When I read the announcement about the inaugural seminar two years ago I knew immediately that I wanted to take part. A wide-ranging list of books to discuss? Meeting other librarians in a small group setting? Getting to soak up advice from ALSC leaders? What’s not to like? A bonus was that my boss was impressed by the whole application process and stipend. It’s always a good thing for your boss to think you are spending time away from work in a worth-while fashion.

The day was terrific. I met great people. The discussion was well-informed, and even when people disagreed, they did so in a positive manner. It was exciting to have the chance to share my opinions and to learn from the perspectives of others.

Call me naïve, but I did not understand at that point that ALSC was cultivating potential book award committee members. Only after other Morris-friends starting sharing news of their appointments did the light start to come on. I am thrilled to be a member of the 2010 Caldecott committee and am doing my best to put all my Morris lessons to good use.So, if you are wavering at all, go on and fill out that application. If your seminar experience is anything like mine was, you won’t be sorry.

Lucinda Whitehurst
St. Christopher’s School
Richmond, Virginia

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The Morris Seminar remains one of the highlights of my professional career. When I received a phone call from ALSC in the fall of 2007 telling me that I had been selected for the 2008 Morris Seminar, I jumped around the library and walked around grinning for the rest of the week.

The seminar more than exceeded my high expectations. I learned how to better talk about books with peers as we broke into small groups and enthusiastically discussed some of that year’s most talked-about children’s books. K.T. Horning, author of From Cover to Cover, made me more aware of techniques in picture book art, which increased my confidence in my ability to evaluate picture books, a skill that has served me well in writing professional reviews for School Library Journal and Multicultural Review. It was a delight to work with many ALSC leaders, including the late Kate McClelland who took many of the participants under her wise and gentle wings.

I continue to accept any opportunity to talk about books with fellow librarians, including several of my Morris alumni friends, both via social network websites and on the 2010 Caldecott Award Committee. The Morris Seminar prepared me to read and critique, discuss and listen. I highly recommend the experience to anyone who wishes to learn more about the workings of ALSC, aspires to serve on award committees, or shares a passion for children’s literature.

Julie Ranelli
Queen Anne’s County Free Library
Stevensville, MD

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I first met Bill Morris more than 15 years ago at one of his famous conference cocktail parties. Dick Abrahamson wrangled an invitation for me with the warning that I’d better be there because Bill never forgot a face or a name—and he mentally noted everyone who walked through the door. I thought, “Okay, that’s not too difficult” –but when I arrived at the party I was overwhelmed by the immensity of the crowd. And it only increased over the next hours.

Dick was absolutely correct about Bill’s memory. From our first meeting forward, he always greeted me by name, knew what I was involved in, and seemed genuinely interested in my work. He always had a twinkle in his eye, reminding me of my favorite kindergarten, first- and second-graders—just on the verge of creating a wild rumpus that would end in tumultuous laughter. 

My experience at the first Bill Morris Seminar was bittersweet; the memories flooded back and I missed his presence as I had at every convention since his death. However, the instructional guidance from numerous ALSC “superstars,” heated book discussions, professional and personal chitchat during breaks, all would have appealed to Bill’s idea of a successful meeting. We shared ideas and gained invaluable insights into what makes a most distinguished book for children.

 I believe that attending the Bill Morris Seminar thoroughly prepared me for my experience as a member of the 2009 (Robert F.) Sibert Informational Book Committee. And participating in the Morris Seminar—besides remembering and honoring Bill—was one of the most exciting experiences I have encountered in my 15 years as a member of ALA and ALSC. I met wonderful people and learned a tremendous amount about book evaluation.

Thanks Bill and ALSC.

Linda M. Pavonetti
Oakland University
Rochester, MI

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I was honored to participate in the inaugural Bill Morris Seminar at the 2008 ALA Mid-Winter Meeting in Philadelphia. 

I don’t recall how I first heard about the Morris Seminar, just that it was something I just had to participate in!  When I received my letter of acceptance to the seminar I jumped with joy!  I am always on the look-out for professional learning opportunities that also allow me to meet some really interesting youth librarians.  Participating in the Morris Seminar fulfilled both desires.

All participants received a list in advance of ten (10) books ranging from picture books to young adult fiction.  I loved learning about books I might not have read otherwise, and I don’t think there was a single book I didn’t enjoy reading.  Certainly some of the selections were outside what I might normally read, but that was part of the fun.  Through our guided discussions I learned how better set aside my personal thoughts and feelings about a book, and approach evaluation from a more objective point of view.  Objectivity can be difficult to maintain when reading a book one absolutely loves or loathes.  But I always try to remind myself that gushing about how much I loved a book (or hated it) does not help anyone else truly decide if the book is right for them, their students, or any young reader. 

In addition to fine tuning our individual evaluation skills, we were also guided through steps that facilitate productive group discussion.  With one of the Seminar goals of helping prepare future Award committee members, this was a vital skill for those highly interested in pursuing such appointments.  It was also quite fun to sit in small groups to discuss these great books with youth librarians.

At the conclusion of the Seminar I felt invigorated about continuing to write reviews for School Library Journal, as well as less formally on my Good Reads page.  I also created several new friendships and professional connections because of the Bill Morris Seminar.  When I saw the call for applicants posted last week I immediately emailed several colleagues to encourage them to apply.  This was a great learning opportunity as well as chance to widen my professional network.

Here is a list of the books we read for the 2008 Bill Morris Seminar:

Love Curse of the Rumbaughs b y Jack Gantos

Henry’s Freedom Box: a true story from the underground railroad by Ellen Levine

First the Egg by Laura Vaccaro Seeger

The Wall: growing up behind the iron curtain by Peter Sis

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznik

Thank You  Bear by Greg Foley

Dogs and Cats by Steve Jenkins

Little Night by Yuyi Morales

The Pull of the Ocean by Jean-Claude Mourlevat, translated from the French by Y. Moudet

Feathers by Jacqueline Woodson

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I applied for the inaugural session of the ALA/ALSC Morris seminar with the hope that the training would enhance my evaluation skills which I use when purchasing materials and also as an audio/visual reviewer for School Library Journal. Quickly I learned I would gain much more than that.

Approximately 30 people attended from all over the country and with a diversity of experience in the field of children’s literature, most being public and school librarians. We worked in small groups throughout the two day seminar. This was particularly valuable for me to see how differently people thought about certain books and made me see things I had never noticed before. I also appreciated how respectfully people disagreed even though librarians can get very emotional about certain titles. It was really an exciting experience to start looking at the literature with a more critical eye.

The entire seminar was so exciting and valuable in many ways. I was also fortunate to meet many wonderful people doing amazing things with youth services in libraries, schools, universities and other communities. These relationships that have formed will prove to be just as valuable as the training provided and many have formed into friendships that will last a lifetime. Not long after the seminar I applied for and was accepted as a Kirkus reviewer. This has further enhanced my evaluation and writing skills and is an incredibly fun experience. It is also very rewarding to contribute to the Youth Services community by providing purchasers with information they need to make collection development decisions.

I have been encouraging colleagues to apply for the 2010 Morris seminar as I believe it is an opportunity not to be missed! 

April Mazza
Wayland Public Library
Wayland, MA

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Bill Morris Changed My Life.

Sure, fine, it sounds like hyperbole, but he really did. I had the great privilege of participating in the first Bill Morris Seminar at Midwinter 2008.  I applied in hopes of someday, somehow being considered to serve on a book awards committee.  I’m currently on the 2010 Caldecott Committee, so I can vouch that the seminar accomplished that goal handily – and on a much faster timeline than I ever anticipated.  But long before receiving my invitation to serve on Caldecott, the Morris Seminar transformed my experience at ALA.

The intense, all day workshop gave me the chance to get to know other new librarians in a way that cannot be replicated at cocktail receptions or even by spending four hours together during the ALSC All Committee Meetings.  Through the Morris Seminar I made a number of fast friends.  Now whenever I attend an ALSC meeting or a publisher event I see people I know (hurray for not making awkward small talk with strangers!).  I share hotel rooms with other Morris participants.  We meet up for impromptu dinners.  We chat over Gmail and stay in touch through Facebook. We even created a secret Morris Seminar handshake (a fact that mortifies my Morris roommate). 

Know that even if you never serve on a book awards committee, the seminar is worth every minute of your time.

Suzanne Harold
Multnomah County Library

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In January of 2008 ALSC launched the first in a series of biennial day-long seminars named in honor of Bill Morris, who was for many years vice-president and director of library promotion at HarperCollins Children’s Books. Bill established an endowment in 2000 to fund programs, publications, events, and/or awards that promote excellence in children’s literature. 

The first seminar brought new ALSC members, as well as long-time members who had never served on an ALSC award or evaluation committee, together with seasoned award committee members who offered their expertise in evaluating and discussing children’s books. Seminar participants had an opportunity to hear what it was like to serve on an evaluation committee and also had a chance to discuss some new children’s books in small groups, facilitated by ALSC leaders. 

The energy level and enthusiasm was high that day, as was the level of book discussion. Many of the participants now have a chance to share what they learned that day by serving on various award and evaluation committees. As we prepare for the 2010 Seminar coming up on January 15, 2010 in Boston, we thought it would be a good time to check in with some of the ALSC members who were there the first year to find out how what the experience was like for them, and how they are putting their critical skills to work. 

Kathleen T. Horning
Cooperative Children’s Book Center

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