Hear Ye! Hear Ye! | May 2024
Member News
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Oralia Garza de Cortés is the 2024 recipient of ALSC's Distinguished Service Award, which honors an individual who has made significant contributions to library service to children and to ALSC. She is a children’s librarian, family literacy expert, writer, and Latino children’s literacy advocate whose career spans over forty years in the field. In 1996, Garza de Cortés co-founded the Pura Belpré Award, honoring children’s literature by Latino/Latina authors and illustrators. She was named one of Library Journal’s Movers & Shakers in 2015 for co-founding REFORMA’s Children in Crisis, a project through which books are distributed to unaccompanied children crossing the United States/Mexico border. Thank you, Oralia, for your pioneering work, leadership, and dedication.
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Cathi Fuhrman (l), school librarian, State College Area High School, Pennsylvania, is the recipient of the 2024 American Association of School Librarians’ (AASL) Intellectual Freedom Award. Having been a school librarian and /AASL member for thirty years, Fuhrman currently serves a school district that has strong support for intellectual freedom from the school board, administration, and community. That support has enabled Fuhrman to channel all her energy into standing up for Intellectual Freedom for K-12 students across Pennsylvania. Brava, Cathi!
Susan Spicer (r), early learning program manager, Salt Lake County Library, received the 2024 Sullivan Award for Public Library Administrators Supporting Services to Children, which recognizes an individual who has shown exceptional understanding and support of public library service to children while maintaining administrative responsibilities. Spicer was selected for her success in building popular and engaging evidence-based programming models and education experiences for the library’s youngest patrons. Kudos, Susan!
Hutchinson Memorial Library in Randolph, Wisconsin, is the 2024 recipient of ALSC's Baker & Taylor Summer Reading Program Grant. Funding from the grant will allow the Hutchinson Memorial to bring inclusive literacy opportunities to children and families through their 10-week summer reading program, including events such as interactive workshops designed to accommodate various learning and attention styles, sensory-friendly activities, special guest speakers addressing topics related to mental health, emotional well-being, and understanding differences. The program will culminate with an inclusivity celebration. Staff training and partnerships with local organizations and support groups for children with disabilities will allow the library to expand its resources and reach.
Emma K. McNamara, who is completing a doctorate at Ohio State University, is a 2024 winner of an SRRT Conference Travel Grant to attend the 2024 Annual Conference in San Diego. Congratulations, Emma!
Every Child Ready to Read® Goes Digital
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The Public Library Association (PLA) and ALSC have jointly launched the first-ever , an early literacy resource for public libraries and other early literacy centers. This new, digital edition includes all the same content and resources as the original paper version.
The toolkit enables users to present workshops that help prepare parents and caregivers for their critical role as their child's first teacher. The workshops demonstrate how parents, grandparents, childcare providers, and preschool teachers can use five simple research-based practices—talking, singing, reading, writing, and playing—to develop language and pre-reading skills in children from birth to age five.
ALSC Members: Use code ALSCMEM24 to enjoy both an ALSC and membership discount for a total of 20% off list price. Just add the item to your cart, enter the code, click apply, and then let the Store do the rest as you proceed through checkout. You will see your final price at the end of checkout. If you experience any issues ordering online, please email cart@press.uchicago.edu and the Shopping Cart team will assist you.
To learn more and order your digital copy, .
Reading Recommendations
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The 2024 ALSC Summer Reading Lists are here! Compiled by the Quicklists Consulting Committee, the lists are full of entertaining and award-winning book titles to keep children reading all summer. For young digital media fans, the committee also recommends a range of apps, podcasts, and websites to help kids discover and develop their interests.
The lists are FREE and easy to download and print for distribution in your library and community. Check them out on the ALSC website.
Annual Conference Updates
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Advance registration rates for the conference, June 27-July 2 in San Diego, are in effect until June 21. ALSC is offering a robust line up of educational programs, special events, and award celebrations.
ALSC's education programming topics range from autism-ready libraries and serving families experiencing homelessness to soft censorship and engaging the brain, body, and senses through nonfiction picture Books.
ALSC is hosting the on Friday, June 28. This half-day interactive workshop is designed to provide an easy-to-follow framework for library workers who deliver Spanish bilingual storytime, as well as teach participants original translations of songs and rhymes.
The Charlemae Hill Rollins President's Program, Shining the Light: Illuminating the Role of African American Authors and Librarians in Children's Literature, will focus on the invaluable contributions of African Americans in advocating for cultural inclusivity and authenticity in children's literature. ALSC President Dr. Jonda McNair and special guests will engage in thought-provoking discussions and historical exhibits. "Shining the Light" will inspire and empower aspiring writers, librarians, and educators to continue championing diverse voices and stories in children's literature.
The brings together thousands of librarians and library staff, educators, authors, publishers, friends of libraries, trustees, special guests, and exhibitors to the world's largest library event. Learn more on and join us for this enriching professional development opportunity.
Institute Registration Is OpenÂ
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Join us on September 19-21, 2024, in Denver for the ALSC National Institute, 2+ days of professional development & (re)connecting with colleagues from across the country. Register by July 2 to take advantage of Early Bird rates.
The Institute offers education programs, big idea sessions, networking events, book signings, exhibits, keynotes with leaders in the field and children's lit creators, including the opening general session featuring Meg Medina, Library of Congress's 2023-24 National Ambassador for Young People's Literature, and more in an intimate, collegial setting.
For more information, visit the Institute website. We hope to see you in Denver!
Documenting Books for Youth
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The Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) recently updated its annual Diversity Statistics. This year's data includes 3,491 books published in 2023 for children and teens and received by CCBC.
Since 1994, the CCBC has been documenting books for youth about Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC). In 2018, they also began documenting additional aspects of identity, including disability, LGBTQ+, and religion.
For more on the 2024 data, .
CBC Announces "Favorites"
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The Children's Book Council (CBC) has released its 2024 Children’s Favorites, Young Adult Favorites, Teacher Favorites, Librarian Favorites award lists. Every year young people from kindergarten through grade 12, teachers, and librarians across the country read newly-published books and vote for those they like best. Titles on the Favorites lists are selected from hundreds of works submitted by publishers and represent just that: favorite reads of children, young adults, and teachers/librarians. The lists and additional information about CBC Favorites are available on the .
