CILIP | The Early Days of YLG

The Early Days of YLG

The history of YLG tells a story of development over the last 70 years, intertwined with the Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Medals.

Eileen Colwell and Ethel Hayler formed the Association of Children’s Librarians in 1937. It was not affiliated to the Library Association at that time although the group wanted it to be. Keith Barker’s excellent “In the realms of gold” humourously describes the Library Association as viewing the group with some suspicion, like a “communist conspiracy” (p5, Keith Barker)

It was not until 1947 that the Library Association allowed affiliation and the Association of Children’s Librarians became the Youth Libraries Section and minuted meetings began. Meetings were held at Chaucer House, in Malet Street at the previous HQ of the Library Association. The minutes show a small but devoted group of people meeting to develop the Section despite some hardships. At some meetings the minutes note that “refreshments were impossible”. By June 1948 there were 130 members. In 1962 the YLS became the Youth Libraries Group, as it is known today.

The committee had 3 meetings a year and by 1948 it was decided to form sub-committees due to pressures of work. In 1949 the minutes record a vote of thanks to Miss Colwell for “her service during the difficult inaugural year of the Section”.
Before the development of regional branches, many of the meetings had speakers or events for members. These involved many of the great writers of children’s literature. C.S. Lewis spoke to group of 400 on “Three ways to write for children” in 1952. In 1954, Ian Serraillier spoke on “Poetry for children” and in 1959, Philipa Pearce spoke at Chaucer House to an appreciative audience. “She showed how books of real value grew from and were shaped by the developing experiences of the author” (YLG minutes 1952.)

As branches became more numerous and active, there was a shift of focus on members’ events and activities to the regions. YLG national committee grew its sub committee structure to keep up with its increasing role in development. The sub-committees in the 1960’s included Publications, Finance, Conference, Book Collection, Training and Membership.

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Updated: 06 May 2008