When the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) was first established on June 24, 1941, it was called The Division for Children and Young People, a division of the American Library Association devoted entirely to children’s literature. Along with new bylaws in 1958 came the association’s new name. The ALSC network today is 4,200 strong, each member dedicated to support and enhance library services for children. Membership includes librarians specializing in children’s literature, literary experts, publishers, educators, school faculty members, and other adults committed to building a better future for children through their enjoyment and use of the nation’s libraries.

• Association for Library Service to Children: Training to become an ALSC member starts in college.
• The Library of Congress Children’s Literature Center: This research center was established to serve individuals and organizations who strive to further the study, production, interpretation, collection, and dessimination of books, films, television programming, and other literary formats created with children, their education, and their recreation in mind.

The Awards

The American Library Association recognizes the outstanding achievements of its members as well as those authors, illustrators, and publishers who make the world of children’s literature possible from outside the association. As a result of this appreciation, many awards have been established to honor distinguished work within the association. Other awards programs have been established from private donors, foundations, and other sources with strong ties to children and their education through books. Each year, during its annual midwinter conference, the American Library Association begins its Monday morning sessions with the announcement of the winners of these prestigious awards for highly influential work in the field of children’s literature:

• John Newbery Medal: Since 1922, this award has been going to the author exhibiting the most distinguished contribution toward American literature for children. Laura Ingalls Wilder has been honored five times, more than any other author in Newbery history.
• Caldecott Medal: Named after English illustrator, Randolph Caldecott, this medal honors the most distinguished picture book published in the US each year.
• Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal: Since its inception in 1955, this award has gone to American writers or illustrators of children’s books who have demonstrated substantial and lasting contributions in literature for children.
• Andrew Carnegie Medal in Literature: Industrialist / philanthropist Andrew Carnegie inspired this medal awarded to authors of outstanding books written for children and young adults; all eligible books must have been written in English and published in the United Kingdom the year before nomination.
• Mildred L. Batchelder Award: This publisher’s award goes to publishers that “eliminate barriers to understanding between people of different cultures, races, nations, and languages;” English translations are highly honored.
• Pura Belpre Award: Named for New York Public Library’s first Latina librarian, this award honors writers and illustrators of Latin origins whose work portrays Latino culture in works directed toward children and young adult readers.
• Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award: The Sibert award is presented each year to authors and illustrators of informational children’s books.
• May Hill Arbuthnot Honor Lecture Award: This award honors prestigious works of children’s literature on an international scale.
• Bechtel Fellowship: Mid-career librarians, those with at least eight years in children’s work, win a $4,000 annual prize that also comes with the opportunity to enjoy a month reading and studying in Florida at the University of Florida’s Baldwin Library.
• Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers Award: Children’s books published by the Penguin Putnam Group are honored with this parents’ choice award.
• ALSC Distinguished Service Award: Each year, the member of the ALSC who has distinguished him- or herself as producing a significant impact on or a sustained contribution to the expansion of library services to children receives a $1,000 cash prize ad engraved pin at the association’s annual conference.
• Coretta Scott King Award: African American authors and illustrators who portray the African-American experience to a grade school readership are honored with this annual award.
• Michael L. Printz Award: This annual award goes to American authors for literary excellence in literature written for young adults.

Children who learn to love books in their earliest years often become life-long readers and educators. They influence the culture in every corner of society and they learn that some of the greatest enjoyment in life comes from the pages of a book. Please feel free to print any of the above resources that are of help to you.  Be sure and stock up on ink-jet cartridges or toner before you do so.