CILIP | Chair of YLG II

Chair of YLG II

Some thoughts on what it means to be chair of YLG from some of it's illustrious occupants.

Responses to being chair

When Marcus Crouch was introduced as chair in 1958 the minutes record “He thanked the section committee for making it possible for him to achieve one of his ambitions, namely to be Chairman of the Youth Libraries Section”. Phillipa Pearce shares some thoughts on Marcus Crouch. - Children often ask authors, “What is your own favourite book?” I always answer, “ My last.”- the one I still feel tenderly anxious for, my Benjamin. And if that last book is one’s first, the tension is almost indescribable. In that state, half a century ago, I was sitting on the top deck of a 159 bus going along Baker Street in the morning rush when I began reading a review of Minnow on the Say. It was a very favourable review indeed, but not a “rave review”- that is to say, it was calm, analytical, judiciously written. The review was unsigned, of course (this was The T.L.S.), but I knew from inside information that it was by Marcus Crouch, a children’s librarian.

That was my first on-the-page meeting with Marcus Crouch; in person came later. I was still working full time in radio, so I knew of the importance of Marcus in his world only from my friends in children’s book publishing, such as Grace Hogarth of Constable’s. In those days, children’s libraries were beginning to be substantially funded, and were therefore becoming an important market for publishers. At the same time there was a sustained effort to raise standards in even the remoter regions of this special world. “ Mr. Crouch” (we were polite to the point of starchiness in those days; I never learnt to call him “Marc”) was part of this upward movement.

I regret now that I did not know him better. In particular, that we never discussed what I now know were shared admirations. For instance, he admired the work of Mervyn Peake, whose illustrations miraculously and mysteriously enhance that already perfect work of art, Treasure Island. And quite differently, he admired the great Eileen Colwell, a pioneering children’s librarian and storyteller, to whom children everywhere will always be indebted. She was his valued friend, as she was mine. Now to me they seem to shine steadily as two stars in the same firmament.
Copyright Philippa Pearce 2006

RememberingMARCUSCROUCHbyPhilippaPearce.doc

Stella Hardy worked with Marcus Crouch and knew many people in the developing world of librarianship after WW 2. She delivered a session at YLG conference and is shown in the photo at the 1959 Conference.

“ After World War 2 people felt that part of what they had been fighting for was the cultural inheritance of the great music,literature and art of our civilization. Thus Marcus Crouch felt that librarians could help to bring the best of this culture to everyone “
Stella Hardy,MBE FLA

John Dunne (1984 chair)
The Medal discussions for 1983 provided lively debate, especially for the Carnegie Medal with Jan Mark’s “Handles” and James Watson’s “Talking in Whispers” being the favourites. Jan Mark had already won the Carnegie Medal in 1976 for her first book “Thunder and Lightnings” and went on to win her second Medal on this occasion. Anthony Browne’s “Gorilla” won the Kate Greenaway Medal and was the clear favourite right from the beginning.

The presentation was not made that year at the Library Association Headquarters, as was the usual procedure, due to a financial crisis. Instead it was held at Islington Central Library where the President, Ron Surridge, was based and the event was funded by the Youth Libraries Group

Anne Marley (2002 chair)
BBC radio interviewed Anne Marley about the winning books in her year. Anne remembered, “The greatest pleasure of that interview was actually being able to promote CKG positively in the face of the Campaign for Real Education rep who was condemning the books without having read them!
Best thing about being Chair - working with such a committed group of people on the Committee and being Chair of a Conference which was popular and made a profit - two things dear to my heart.“ (Interview 2006)

Sharon Sperling (2005 Chair)
I was very pleased to be Chair of YLG. I felt an historic link to Marcus Crouch, who was the only previous Kent Libraries senior manager to hold the post, after a 47-year gap! It was an interesting year; very hard work and I enjoyed it. I was also thankful that although we cancelled the London CKG ceremony due to the London bombings in July 2005, no member of the committee or guests was injured. I enjoyed meeting the members in the branches and at my conference, which was a success.

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Updated: 06 May 2008