|
Posted By Jacob Hope,
18 February 2025
|
We took time out to meet with Jenny Hawke, new Chair of the Youth Libraries Group and to ask her some questions about her career in libraries and involvement with the group. Find out more below and do consider getting involved with the group if you aren't already!
Please can you give us an overview of your
career in libraries (what did they mean to you as a child, how did you come to
work in them, what's your current role)?
I have spent over 30 years working in academic,
special, school and public libraries. I left school at 17 in 1983 and made the
decision to work in a public library which seemed natural to me as I enjoyed
reading books as a child. I have fond memories of my parents taking the whole
family to the local library on a Saturday afternoon. We would look for our
favourite authors and get excited about new books. Armed with a large pile of
books we would come home and all settle down with a cup of tea and get lost in
one of our new books. Often my dad would read to me, favourites were Watership
Down and The Borrowers.
At my first library job, favourite activities would be working alongside the
children’s librarian, telling stories to visiting school classes and helping to
run under-fives sessions. Five years later I wanted to gain experience in an
academic setting so I began working as a library assistant in South Bank
Polytechnic which later became South Bank University. Whilst working at South
Bank I undertook an access course which enabled me to go back into full time
education and study for a degree and it was at this point I decided I wanted to
qualify as a librarian, so undertook a Masters at UCL.
After graduating I was appointed as a librarian in a special
library/information centre at the International Transport Workers’ Federation ITF
(an umbrella organisation for national transport unions). I decided to charter
in 2008 and needed to focus on a different sector, so I chose school libraries and,
rather conveniently, my daughter’s school invited me to overhaul and expand and
organise their modest library. This benefited the children with a fully stocked
and fully functioning library and I gained valuable knowledge and experience of
working with children’s resources.
I started working for Bromley Libraries in 2008 as a manager of a medium sized
library. By now children’s activities and children’s literature was at the
heart of my professional career. Later,
when GLL (the charitable social enterprise) who were now running Bromley
Libraries asked me if I would like to move to one of their larger libraries and
become the children’s librarian I was thrilled.
This was a great move for me involving a variety of interesting projects. I currently
wear three hats. One is to plan, prepare and run children’s activities at
Orpington Library from Baby Bounce and Rhyme right up to our Older
Teen Reading Group. Another is to
work with the children’s team to plan borough-wide activities. Finally, my
other hat is the set-up and managing of the GLL Literary Foundation
which was launched in November 2024.
This aims to support authors, inspire young readers and champion public
libraries. We are offering bursaries, training, networking and mentoring
opportunities for authors through the new foundation. This is an incredibly
exciting part of my role and I’m hugely grateful to GLL, the YLG and other
organisations who have helped to make this project a reality.
How and when did you first become involved
with YLG?
During Chartership, I decided it would be important to sign up to the YLG as
one of my Special Interest Groups as I knew children’s libraries and their
activities and services was an area I wanted to move into. In 2011 I applied
for the YLG SE bursary to attend the YLG National Conference at Goldsmith’s
College. This was an incredibly inspiring experience: listening to a mix of
authors, academics and librarians talk about children’s literature and library
services.
It was also a wonderful opportunity to network and share good practice with
other librarians. After the Conference I asked the Chair if I could join the
Committee and have been there ever since. I have really enjoyed being an active
member of the YLG SE which has involved our annual training day and annual Carnegie
Discussion Day and also a monthly Picture Book Chat focusing on either the BookTrust
Storytime Prize and the Carnegie Medal for Illustration Shortlist. I
am really grateful to the YLG SE Committee members as they have all been very
enthusiastic and passionate about everything we set out to achieve.
You've been a judge for the Carnegies, what
was the most challenging aspect of this and what was the most rewarding?
I think the main challenge was the obvious one of reading over 200 books across
both medals. I had to be very strict with family and friends and at Christmas I
would sneak upstairs and furtively read a few exciting chapters of a Carnegie
or get absorbed into a Kate Greenaway. Meeting the other judges and discussing
the books in such detail was incredibly stimulating and everyone was so
committed about the whole judging process.
The best part of being a judge is how much it has helped me in my job as a
Children’s Librarian. It gave me a greater awareness and knowledge of
literature for children and young people, and obviously helped me with my Shadowing
groups over the years as well. Shadowing the Carnegies is a brilliant way to
find out about new books for children and particularly books which are often
more thought provoking, diverse and promote discussion. I always ensure there
is an informal setting with snacks and the children find that chatting about
books is just a great thing to do.
What has been the highlight of being
involved with YLG?
I think this has to be my two years as a Carnegie judge
(2017 and 2018) and particularly the award ceremonies. Before this 2014 sticks in my mind as this
was the year that my Chatterbooks shadowing group won the Shadowing
Magazine Award. It was fantastic and we were invited to the award ceremony
when Jon Klassen won the Greenaway and Kevin Brooks won the Carnegie. My group
did a radio broadcast to start with and then met lots of authors and
illustrators as well as watching the ceremony live. The group members are all
practically grown up now but I’m sure they will all look back on it as a very
memorable experience. I also really enjoyed chairing the Funny Fiction
panel at the 2024 conference in Glasgow, it was such fun!
Are there any particular areas or themes you hope to make the focus of your
time as chair?
I’m very excited about the National One Day School which we hope to hold
in Eastbourne in the autumn of this year. It will be themed around Journeys
and encompass books in translation, empathy, refugees and how children and
young people embark on their reading journey.
We need to look at communication with our members and
how we currently deliver this and if we can make improvements. AI and new
technologies will be affecting the way we all do things so this is another area
that the YLG should focus on. There have been a lot of cuts in public services
over the years and it’s really important to find ways in which we can support
our colleagues who work in the public sector. Governance and business planning
should underpin everything we do at a regional and national level. National committee meetings will be
discussing other themes that should be focused on throughout my term as Chair, I’m
very fortunate and grateful to have such a brilliant team of people on the
National Committee who have already given me so much support since becoming
Chair.
Can you give us three top tips for books you
enjoyed in 2024 please?
Rainbowsaurus by
Steve Antony is a joyful, inclusive and extremely
colourful picture book whose characters jump off the page. The family, which
has two dads and three children, set out to find the Rainbowsaurus and
invite the reader to join them in addition to a number of distinctly coloured
animals. Different age groups of readers will engage with this book as there is
so much to look out for in the illustrations. This is much more than a simple
picture book.
Code Name Kingfisher
by Liz Kessler is a compelling and poignant novel set in World War II written
from different points of view in a really accessible way. The writing is
beautiful with well defined characters from past and present.
Glasgow Boys by
Margaret McDonald is a beautifully written coming of age story and includes
themes of acceptance, love and guilt but also the importance of family in its
widest sense and friendship.
A big thank you to Jenny Hawke for taking time out to be interviewed!

Tags:
Carnegie
Libraries
Reading
Reading for Pleasure
YLG
Permalink
| Comments (0)
|
|
Posted By Jacob Hope,
29 June 2021
|
We are delighted to welcome Joy
Court to the blog, our expert Conference Manager. Joy generously answered our questions on this
year’s Youth Libraries Group conference which will take place in Torquay, 17 –
19 September, Representations of Place: New Lands and New Ways of Looking.
Can you tell us about your role
with conference
As Conference Manager it is my
job to find a venue that is within our budget. We decide as a group, steered by
the Chair who will be the host, which area to search in and we also try to move
around the country to give our members a chance to try us out as a day delegate
if they live locally.
I liaise with the Chair
over theme - usually something they suggest and then we all jointly seek out
speakers. We invite pitches from publishers and proactively seek sponsors and
then I try to piece together the jigsaw to amke an engaging and relevant
programme from all those ingredients.
I do all the liaison with the
venue over menus and set up of rooms and manage all the bookings. During the
conference it is my job to ensure everything runs smoothly and troubleshoot any
problems. Luckily there is an Exhibition Manager to specifically look after
that complex operation and a Conference Secretary to organise session chairs
and look after our speakers.
The theme this year is around
representations of place, can you tell us what delegates can expect?
We have interpreted place very broadly- feeling at home in your body for
example or exploring the past as a different country but also the importance of
representation and ensuring that everybody has a place at the table. We have a
fantastic range of speakers- authors who are sharing their experience and
passion for these themes, academics sharing research, industry partners showing
us the way forward and practitioners sharing their expertise and good
practice. Delegates can expect to meet and network with all of these and during
the weekend find colleagues who are as passionate about children and young
people's reading as they are! The there is the famed Publisher's exhibition -
time to make contacts and connections and find out about all the great books
coming up and the equally famed Norfolk Children's Book Centre shop where
Honorary YLG superstar Marilyn Brocklehurst will have any book you could
possibly want and more!
Which sessions do you personally
feel most excited by and why?
That is like asking which is your favourite child! From the opening keynote
from Michael Morpurgo to the Robert Westall Memorial lecture on Sunday by Anne
Fine to amazing panels with Geraldine McCaughrean, Philip Reeve and Frances
Hardinge discussing imagined worlds or Hilary McKay and Phil Earle sharing
their views on WW2 or Brian Conaghan, Melvin Burgess and Jason Cockcroft
discussing masculinity - there is so much to get excited about!
Do you remember your first YLG
conference? When was this and what sticks in your mind?
This would be a long time ago... early 90's..I remember feeling so much
in awe of the giants of our profession who were leading the sessions and
starstruck by the authors and revelling in all the books, but thinking
this is my special place- everyone here shares my obsessions!
In your experience, how do
delegates benefit from attending conference?
I think I have already alluded to
finding colleagues who share the same passion. This is particularly important
for school librarians who are often sole practitioners. You will go away with a
headful of inspiring ideas and a suitcase full of exhibition giveaways -
proofs/ posters/ competitions etc. You will probably be exhausted but in a very
satisfying way!
Do you have any tips for people
wanting to make a funding case to their employers to attend
Everyone should recognise their entitlement to CPD - they are worth it!
Employers should recognise this and the crucial benefits that attending
conference will bring. Nowhere else will provide training directly related to
specialist children and young peoples librarianship. Nowhere else
will you find opportunities to develop crucial book knowledge
and keep up to date with current library and educational trends and
pick up practical and inspirational ideas to improve your library service to
young people
Conference wasn't able to take
place physically last year, what steps will be being taken to keep attendees
safe?
The conference hotel takes its COVID
19 security very seriously. This page details exactly what steps they take to
ensure your safety
https://www.theimperialtorquay.co.uk/coronavirus-update
Even if the 19 July release date
is further extended we are confident that the conference can be delivered
successfully under current restrictions.
A big thank you to Joy for the interview and to her and the whole of the conference team for their exceptional work against a really challenging backdrop.

Tags:
Carnegie
Conference
Diversity
Kate Greenaway
Reading
Reading for Pleasure
Torquay
Permalink
| Comments (0)
|
|
Posted By Jacob Hope,
21 July 2020
Updated: 21 July 2020
|
We are delighted to welcome Alison Brumwell, Chair of the Youth Libraries Group 2020 and 2021, to share her experiences of involvement with the group, her motivations and some of the issues she feels are pressing in the coming years.
My career has always had books and reading at its core. I can’t remember learning to read, it’s something I’ve always done, though I know it was my aunt who taught me before I started school. I found out many years later, while I was a graduate student, that my great-grandfather worked at Newcastle Library when he emigrated here from Norway. Even though I started out in publishing as a Subsidiary Rights Assistant for Macmillan Canada, it seems inevitable to me now that I would end up where I have. Even voluntary work in Uganda with Africa Educational Trust has been led by my passion for books and a belief that every child has a right to read. It’s what I love most about my current role at Kirklees Libraries, supporting 16-18 year olds and adult learners to develop their language skills.
A big part of my working life since 2004 has revolved around the Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Medal shadowing scheme. I still remember the very heated debate my Carnegie shadowing group had about Mal Peet’s Tamar and David Almond’s Clay and how much the Year Sevens enjoyed Emily Gravett’s Wolves. Their re-imaginings of its cover were on display in the main corridor of our secondary school for an entire term and they were thrilled when it won the Kate Greenaway Medal. So, when I began working as Kirklees’ schools library service’s librarian a few years later, I jumped at the chance to join YLG’s Yorkshire and the Humber regional branch. It was Alison Peaden, now Library Service Manager for Northumberland County Council, who encouraged me to get involved. It would likely never had have occurred to me as I had been previously been a CILIP member and hadn’t thought of re-joining. I became a YLG member in 2009 and went on to become a regional CKG judge from 2011-2014, bringing my shadowing journey full circle. It was the pinnacle of my career to serve as 2019 CKG Chair, during a ground-breaking year for the medals.
What makes YLG so special is the chance to share my vocation (being a librarian is far more than a job to me), having a chance to promote the importance of reading and fostering a love of books with children and young people. I think our membership feels just as I do, which is why many individuals come from sectors other than public library services, school settings or SLSs. There’s nothing quite like discovering a children’s book that you know will be enjoyed and could have a positive impact on a young life. YLG has also given me significant opportunities for professional and personal growth, to make sure that I am an advocate for diversity in my profession and in the literature and illustrated material children and young people are able to access
As Chair of YLG until 2022, I acknowledge there are many challenges for us as a CILIP interest group; including, recruitment and retention of members, income generation, affording our membership quality training opportunities and future-proofing at a time when our profession is dealing with the impact of COVID-19. As the UK economy faces a sharp downturn, it is inevitable that libraries and the knowledge management sector will have to adjust and adapt. Being responsive rather than reactive is key. I am extremely proud of how YLG and the CKG Working Party have worked together to introduce and implement positive change regarding the medals process, making these more inclusive and diverse. YLG prioritise representation of all regions and offer as wide a range of CPD as possible through our annual national conference, day schools and events. We have been able to engage more fully with external partners, like Inclusive Minds and Booktrust, forging new relationships which benefit both our sector and our key stakeholder group: children and young people.
At a time when we might recoil from change or perhaps feel negative about the role we’re able to play, keeping sight of this is crucial. I remember several years ago trying to set up a bibliotherapy group at the Leeds secondary school where I worked. It never got off the ground but the name Reading for Recovery was suggested. One student said she thought Reading for Survival was a better one, which is a testament to the power books have to enlighten, uplift and delight. Nowhere is that spirit more evident in the work YLG members do every day, through our advocacy, our outreach sessions and the myriad conversations we have with each other about how we can improve life chances for thousands of children and young people. They need us now more than ever and I am incredibly proud of my YLG friends and colleagues for doing their best to deliver positive outcomes.

Tags:
Carnegie
Chair
Conference
Kate Greenaway
YLG
Youth Libraries Group
Permalink
| Comments (0)
|
|
Posted By Jacob Hope,
15 June 2020
|
‘We ALL tell stories all the time. We narrativise our lives as we try to make sense of them. We tell useful stories to ourselves, or unhelpful ones, and they are powerful. We live by them often without knowing.’
Marcus Sedgwick
The CILIP Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Twitter Takeover has been a part of the awards programme for four years now. This year’s Takeover felt particularly special given the challenges that the awards process, the judges, shadowers, publishers and (of course), the authors and illustrators have faced through Covid-19. A theme that ran through much of the conversation was the vibrant and varied discussion around the arts and their role as influences and inspirations.
With the winners of this year’s awards due to be announced on BBC Radio 4’s Front Row programme on Wednesday 17 June, the story for the awards will feel somewhat different to usual in 2020. For those who are looking for other work to dive into, delving into different ways of thinking and seeing, here is a compilation of the recommendations made by authors and illustrators throughout the discussions.
Poynton High School Library asked Shaun Tan which picture books and or illustrators inspired him as a child and in the present day.
‘Phew, too many to list. Where the Wild Things Are [Maurice Sendak] always loomed large in my imagination and still does. The Red Tree has some similarities to it, see if you can spot them. Right now I’ve enjoyed the work of Sydney Smith, an illustrator with great heart in every line.’
Talking about nature, Shaun said ‘a book I’d recommend is The World Without Us, [Alan Weisman] which explains how fast nature would overrun human cities. Part inspiration for Tales from the Inner City actually.’ Shaun also described how ‘stencil street art and the ‘human shadow etched in stone’ of the Hiroshima bombing’ helped influence his use of silhouettes in Tales from the Inner City describing this as ‘Sort of taxonomic and a bit funerary’.
Julian and Marcus Sedgwick spoke about their shortlisted book, Voyages in the Underworld of Orpheus Black. Julian recommended films ‘A Matter of Life and Death’ film and Cocteau’s Orphee which he described as ‘a really worthwhile and hallucinatory viewing experience.’
Asked around whether they turn to art during times of adversity themselves and whether they have any first choices, Julian suggested Anton Chekhov ‘He’s like a thoughtful and gently helpful older family member.’ Marcus chose ‘Thomas Mann for the same reason, appropriately like a wiser older brother saying good things about people.’ Marcus said he looks for voices that aren’t cynical suggesting Adalbert Stifter and Artur Schnitzler.
Talking about artists Marcus described how they knew they ‘wanted someone who could capture the feel of some of the actual WW2 artists like [Mervyn] Peake [Mervin], [Alan] Moore.’ Julian described how [Francisco] Goya was in the manuscript from Harry’s journal.
Julian suggests ‘As long as art reflects complexity, nuance etc there has to be a vital space for art – even in the worst times.’ He suggested [Henryk] Gorecki’s Third Symphony - Symphony of Sorrowful Songs as an example. Julian cited film makers Powell and Pressberger as ‘so interesting as a working team.’
Poonam Mistry spoke about the influences of kalamkari and traditional Indian art and also of Inuit textile patterns in her art describing how she likes ‘the patterns in my work to reflect the origins and setting of the story’.
Chris Naylor-Ballesteros, revealed that on re-reading The Arrival by Shaun Tan, he realised some of the subconscious parallels that exist between this and his shortlisted title The Suitcase leading to a discussion on inspirations.
Beth Waters revealed that she plays the cello in an orchestra and has played [Anton] Dvorak’s New World Symphony twice. She also introduced us to a song by Siiga, ‘Michelle (Seashell) (see here)
Chris Vick talked about how the frame for his book is from One Thousand and One Nights and introduced e e cummings poem maggie and milly and molly and may.
Randy Ribay described his personal reading journey, ‘as a kid reading was escapism for and there’s a power in that. I loved entering Narnia [C S Lewis], Redwall [Brian Jacques] etc. In college, I came to understand the revolutionary power of books by reading the authors I mentioned in my previous answer.’
That answer included James Baldwin, Jean Toomer, Sandra Cisneros, Haruki Murakami, Walter Dean Myers, Carlos Bulosan, Jose Rizal, Audre Lorde, Patrick Rosal, Toni Morrison. Randy commented he picked ‘authors instead of particular books because there are too many to name!’
Dean Atta described going to Church of England schools for his primary and secondary education ’the Bible had A LOT of power in my childhood,’ answering a question from Poynton High School Library about past YA LGBTQ authors he admires, Dean suggested Jacqueline Woodson.
Dean also introduced us to many of his inspirations citing Roald Dahl and Dr Seuss when younger and the poetry of Maya Angelou, Gil Scott-Heron, John Agard, Benjamin Zephaniah, Shakespeare’s plays and also giving an insight into some of his musical tastes Bob Marley, Tupac, Nirvana, The Roots, Ursula Rucker.
Dean powerfully described how ‘Reading books about characters similar to ourselves can be such an affirming experience.’ Going on to further state that ‘reading books about identities different to our own can be extremely educational and a great exercise in empathy.’
These descriptions of the art and purpose of reading sparked a recommendation from Randy remind him of ‘Rudine Sims Bishop’s concept of books as windows, mirrors and sliding glass doors’ (see here) the premise of which not only underpins why we read and its importance, but also the CILIP Carnegie and Kate Greenaway’s medal’s mission:
‘to inspire and empower the next generation to create a better world through books and reading’.
If you have any thoughts or recommendations of your own to make, please use the comments section below.

Tags:
Carnegie
Kate Greenaway
reading
reading for pleasure
shadowing
Permalink
| Comments (0)
|
|
Posted By Jacob Hope,
08 June 2020
|
To celebrate the 2020 shortlists of the CILIP Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Medals, we will be holding a Twitter Takeover on 14 June. This will be an opportunity to engage and interact with judges and key personnel of the awards and to hear more from the shortlisted authors and illustrators. The Youth Libraries Group are delighted to announce the provisional programme for the day which runs from 11am to 6pm.
11.00am to 12.00pm Reading around the World
An exploration of the importance of prizes in reading with Shaun Tan (TBC), Kate Greenaway shortlisted author and illustrator of Tales from the Inner City and a representative from the Children's Book Council of Australia, comparing their awards with ours.
12.00pm to 1.00pm Art, Expression and Adversity
Marcus Sedgwick and Julian Sedgwick will talk about their Carnegie shortlisted book Voyages of Orpheus Black in the Underworld and about collaboration.
1.00pm to 2.00pm Empathy and Illustration
Illustrator Poonam Mistry and author and illustrator Chris Naylor-Ballesteros talk about empathy in their Kate Greenaway shortlisted books, You're Snug with Me and The Suitcase.
2.00pm to 3.00pm True North
Chris Mould (TBC) Kate Greenaway shortlisted illustrator of The Iron Man and Anthony McGowan author of Carnegie shortlisted Lark talk about their books set in the North.
3.00pm to 4.00pm Sea and Survival
Chris Vick Carnegie shortlisted author of Girl. Boy. Sea. and Beth Waters, author and illustrator of Kate Greenaway shortlisted Child of St Kilda talk about their books and the role of the sea.
4.00pm to 5.00pm A Sense of Self
Authors Randy Ribay and Dean Atta talk about the role of identity in their Carnegie shortlisted books, Patron Saints of Nothing and The Black Flamingo. Closes with announcement of YLG Awards Shortlist 2020!
5.00pm to 6.00pm Quiz
With CILIP Library Champion Bobby Seagull, via his YouTube Channel.
Please note participants in sessions may change. Please keep your eyes peeled on Twitter from @YouthLibraries.
Make your voice and views part of the discussion #CKG20.

Tags:
Carnegie
Kate Greenaway
Outstanding Illustration
Outstanding Writing
Reading
Reading for Pleasure
Visual Literacy
Permalink
| Comments (0)
|
|
Posted By Jacob Hope,
10 March 2020
Updated: 10 March 2020
|
Sharon Creech was the first ever American winner of the CILIP Carnegie Medal with her novel Ruby Hollerin 2002. We were delighted to have the opportunity to gain an exclusive insight into her new novel, Saving Winslow, which publishes with Guppy Books in May 2020. Cover design, cover illustrations and chapter heads are by Sarah Horne.
What can your readers expect from Saving Winslow?
This is the story of 10-year-old Louie, determined to save a tiny, orphaned donkey, and of quiet, quirky, unintentionally hilarious Nora, who is drawn into the cause.
Saving Winslow sounds wonderful, what was the inspiration for the story?
My grandchildren have rescued several orphaned lambs, bottle feeding them day and night in their home. I’ve been inspired by witnessing their tenderness and growing empathy as they cared for these fragile creatures, but I chose to write about a donkey instead of a lamb in case my grandchildren wanted to write their own stories about their lambs.
Family is at the heart of many of your books, including Saving Winslow – why do you think it’s a theme you come back to?
My own large family has always been important to me and I’ve always been curious about other people’s families, whether large or small, close or fractured. Families launch us and shape us in so many ways.
You were the first American to win the Carnegie Medal with the Ruby Holler in 2003 – what did this mean to you?
I was deeply honored to receive the Carnegie Medal, an award from my adopted country (I lived in England for twenty years) and selected by librarians. The award brings attention to books and readers. It is because of dedicated librarians and teachers in the U.K. and U.S. that I am able to continue writing books, and I am forever grateful to them. We need school and public libraries for the benefit of our young people.
Where do you write?
I write at home, in a large, square, many-windowed room filled with books and with photos of family and fans. The room overlooks a wooded area where I often see foxes, deer, birds, squirrels and chipmunks.

Tags:
Carnegie
children's books
Reading
Reading for Pleasure
Permalink
| Comments (0)
|
|
Posted By Jacob Hope,
19 September 2019
Updated: 19 September 2019
|
One of the most exciting times for the profession is the stage when nominations open for the CILIP Carnegie and Kate Greenaway medals, the UK's oldest and most prestigious children's book awards award for an outstanding reading experience created respectively through writing and illustration. On the opening day of nominations, we are pleased to have the opportunity to speak with the award co-ordinator, Amy McKay, to glean exclusive behind the scenes insights.
Amy starts by discussing her job. There are numerous duties the awards co-cordinator has, these include looking after the judges and ensuring they are organised and on track with the Herculian reading task they face. There are also meeting sto organise as well as overseeing the nominations, communicating with regions about their choices days, checking eligibility and monitoring what has been published. 'It's a really busy point in the year,' Amy explains, 'but it's also one of the most exciting as this is when the process begins.'
After pondering which part of the role she enjoys the most, Amy says, 'working closely with the judges is definitely one of the highlights, you see them grow in confidence across the two years and it's fascinating to hear their opinions and thoughts'.
'It's so important that people nominate the books they are most passionate about,' Amy enthuses, 'without nominations and the profession's engagement, the awards would not exist.' What makes a good nomination? Amy feels consideration of the criteria is key and that the books need to have an x-factor, something more than just enjoyment. Nominations don't have to be massively long, Amy urges. Statements are an integral part of the process and can be used in judging discussions to help widen debate and give insight to other viewpoints and experiences. 'It is passion that really shines through.'
The nominations lists provide a snapshot of contemporary publishing for children and young people and are valuable for all of the profession. They can be useful for stock and collections providing insight into what other professionals consider as outstanding and presenting a curated list for selection. It is something Amy uses herself to help with selecting for the bustling school library in Corby where she works.
This year has seen changes to the nomination's process with members of CILIP able to nominate only one per medal within a two week window, making it even more crucial to carefully consider the titles being put forward. Amy gives some top tips for nominating:
- Consider the criteria and how the books you put forward match these
-
Think carefully about all you've read and not just the latest titles as books are eligible for 2020 cycle from 1 September 2018 to 31 August 2019. Amy mentions that she keeps a reading journal so that she does not overlook the books published in the first months of nominations.
-
Nominations don't have to be hugely long, strong nominations tend to be formed around the criteria headlines - plot, theme, characterisation and style for the Carnegie and aristic style, format, synergy of illustration and text and visual experience for the Kate Greenaway - and are usually clear and concise.
-
Enjoy nominating as it is a real statement of belief in the work of illustrators, authors and publishers alike and acts as a flagship for the expertise of the profession
- Use resources like publishers lists, CILIP's new 'Pen & Inc' magazine https://www.cilip.org.uk/general/custom.asp?page=penandinc to raise awareness to make sure that some of the titles by smaller independent publishers that might not have the same promotional budgets do not get overlooked.
Nominations are open now until Friday 27 September, visit https://www.carnegiegreenaway.org.uk/awards-process.php to put forward your choices.

Tags:
Carnegie
Kate Greenaway
libraries
nominations
professional development
reading
reading for pleasure
Permalink
| Comments (0)
|
|
Posted By Jacob Hope,
06 July 2019
Updated: 06 July 2019
|
The Slovene Book Fair was eye-opening, it was incredible to see the levels of engagement and enthusiasm it generated among the public with schools, families and individuals attending to hear talks, meet with authors, peruse exhibitions of illustration and buy books. Slovenia was under a Socialist regime as part of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Books and the arts played a key role in helping to preserve the national identity of the country and it feels there remains a great sense of pride and loyalty towards books. Despite this there are concerns about the future. The proportion of books published from the United Kingdom, combined with other media in spoken and written English leads to anxieties about the long-term impact on the Slovene language.
Alongside public engagement, one of the notable elements was the support mainstream media gave to the events with television and radio both present. Sessions provoked lively discussion and attendance and involvement from publishing students meant there were clear succession lines for the industry contributing to an impressively well-structured and sustainable base for the countries publishing and book trades.
The talk I was involved with looked at the role of criteria in book awards, how those are articulated and applied and the impact these have in terms of selection of books. As well as exploring some of the major children's book awards in the UK - the Costa, the Blue Peter, the Federation of Children's Book Groups and the proliferation of regional book awards that take place across the country and are aimed at empowering young people through enabling them a platform for their views and a vote.
Looking at the CILIP Carnegie medal gave pause for thought and the opportunity to think back to the Library Association review of children's literature in 1932 which described ' a few admirable books, submerged in an ocean of trash.' The medals were set up to lobby for change.
During the trip to Ljubljana, an interview took place with a publishing student. One of their questions was what differentiates the CILIP Carnegie Medal. It's a question that has led to much reflection. One of the many answers is the transparency of its processes and criteria. Following on from the Diversity Review for the awards which happened in 2018, this is something that is being evaluated with thanks to the University of Central Lancashire. As one of the last public speaking engagements for 2018, talking at the Slovene Book Fair served was a genuinely upbeat, inspiring and uplifting occasion and one that has certainly given considerable food for thought around the role of book awards and their increased relevance as part of an array of models for recommending and profiling books, stories and information. It was fascinating to be part of the Fair and learn more about how Slovenia's award works and the impact that criteria has upon selection.

Tags:
Book Awards
Carnegie
Children's Books
Controversy
Reading
Permalink
| Comments (0)
|
|
Posted By Susan Polchow,
05 July 2018
|
The Youth Libraries Group are delighted to be extending our Early Bird offer for the YLG National Conference 2018 “Reading the Future”.
Numerous people have expressed interest in attending but have stated that extra time would aid employer decisions. Professional development is a key part of maintaining knowledge and awareness offering a chance to engage with up to date research, changes in cultural context and current best practice. The deadline for the Early Bird offer has been extended until 15 July. We are keen to provide some rationale for attending conference, whether this be as a day delegate or on a full place.
• Conference this year is focused explicitly around reading - one of the six universal offers for libraries decided by the Society of Chief Librarians, policy and agenda setters for libraries across the United Kingdom
• Latest research from key organisations and agencies including BookTrust and the National Literacy Trust
• Networking opportunities with publishers and the opportunity to pitch for author visits, proof copies of books for reading groups
• *It is worth noting that average daily rates reported by the Society of Authors are between £400 and £500 for an author, this means one successful pitch for an author to a publisher - (which would also include the authors travel and accommodation), would more than recoup the entire cost of conference. Conference gives direct access to a host of publishers and the opportunity to build strong partnerships.
• Showcase of forthcoming titles to aid programming and planning and receipt of publicity materials (tote bags, book marks, badges and more!), copies of new books at no charge
• Chance to share best practice with other professionals across the United Kingdom
• Key part of continuing professional development offered by the Youth Libraries Group, the special interest group for the Professional Body for librarian and information professionals
• Opportunity to showcase best practice from authority and to learn about existing best practice in other authorities and regions so as to replicate existing and proven frameworks for quality and cost-effective service delivery
• Engage with relevant creative provider - app producers, BBC, Gerry Andersen entertainment - to explore models of engagement and hooks to attract non-users
• Receive in-kind materials including book proofs, advanced reader copies, bookmarks, posters and other related point-of-sale
• Actively highlight role of in supporting and maintaining awareness of the UK's oldest and most prestigious children's book awards, the Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Medals, the profession's flagship awards.
• Maintain links with the Youth Libraries Group, one of the leading training and development bodies for librarians working with children and young people in the United Kingdom
The Youth Libraries Group Conference is one of the real highlights on the children's book and reading calendar. Find out more and book your place at https://www.cilip.org.uk/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=1059241&group=201316

Tags:
carnegie
children's books
conference
illustration
kate greenaway
reading
visual literacy
ylg
Permalink
| Comments (0)
|
|
Posted By Jacob Hope,
02 May 2018
Updated: 02 May 2018
|
The Youth Libraries Group annual conference is always a high point in the calendar, a chance to recharge creative energies and to connect with all manner of ideas and with individuals working in the field. Our theme this year is Reading the Future and aims to explore what it means to be a reader in the 21st Century, some of the opportunities and challenges that exist around this and the ways in which information, stories and imagination traverse different platforms and technologies.
Reading is a vital skill, an opportunity to find release from daily lives, to encounter and engage with news ways of thinking, to step into the past or to look forward into the future. Running beneath the conference’s main theme is a series of strands exploring key areas of interest.
The capacity poetry holds for conveying feelings, emotion and acting as an access point for reading makes it a very worthwhile focal point. We are delighted to welcome CLiPPA winners Rachel Rooney and Joseph Coehlo as speakers as well as having the National Literacy Trust presenting research on the role reading poetry has on child literacy.
With the 100 year anniversary of the Representation of the People Act, we’re looking at representation and rights for women in literature for young people. Our distinguished guests include Sally Nicholls, author of Things a Bright Girl Can Do, David Roberts, author and illustrator of Suffragette and many more.
This melds with another key for the conference, Enid Blyton. 2018 marks 50 years since the writer, voted by the public as the UK’s best loved author, passed away. It feels an apt time to reconsider her literary legacy and uncanny ability to captivate contemporary readers. We will also have our first ever Midnight Feast in celebration of her work!
In another first, we will also be hosting the inaugural Robert Westall Memorial Lecture. This will be led by Dr Kim Reynolds from Newcastle University and Paula Wride from Seven Stories, the National Centre for the Children’s Book and will look at the indelible impact that twice winner of the Carnegie Medal Robert Westall’s work has made on the field.
It feels massively exciting to be working with so many different agencies – BookTrust, Seven Stories, National Literacy Trust, Empathy Lab and more – to bring the latest research and findings and to enable networking opportunities that add value and increase reach.
it also feels apposite that this year’s conference is taking place in Manchester, one of the UK’s new UNESCO Cities of Literature and we’ll be holding a special dinner to celebrate the role of key children’s authors and illustrators from the city.
The conference is uplifting, lively, vibrant and most of all inclusive. We look forward to welcoming public and school librarians alike, staff from school library services, people from the education sector and all with an interest in children’s books.
Do join us for what promises to be thought-provoking and enlivening conference and a chance to build change and critical mass around reading.
To book your place please visit http://www.cilip.org.uk/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=1059241&group=201316
We would love to know your best conference memory or the session you are most interested in attending!

Tags:
carnegie
conference
cpd
illustration
kate greenaway
poetry
reading
universaloffers
visual literacy
ylg
Permalink
| Comments (3)
|
|