tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7175652458700347449.post6542850776478811388..comments2023-12-25T03:14:35.667-06:00Comments on Tiny Tips for Library Fun: I Wanna Be on a Youth Book Award CommitteeMarge Loch-Woutershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09299355611398291374noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7175652458700347449.post-85212826813635826252013-02-04T21:35:54.443-06:002013-02-04T21:35:54.443-06:00I love, love, love this post. I love that you talk...I love, love, love this post. I love that you talk about doing more than just polishing your critical reading skills (thought that's obviously important.)<br /><br />It's so important to get involved at all levels. I've served on several process committees in ALSC and "big ALA", as well as the Stonewall Book Award committee for GLBTRT. The process committees do really interesting work, and it's a chance to get to know people who do all different kinds of work.<br /><br />Over the last year, 5 ALSC committees were moving to virtual operation (in addition to 5 that were already virtual), giving folks who can't necessarily make it to conferences twice a year (as Jennie said, someone's gotta work the desk!) more opportunities. Those are in addition to some committees that meet physically and also have a seat or two for virtual members. If you're interested, look for the little "v" after the committee names on the volunteer form. (That'd be a general "you", not Marge specifically! ;)) <br /><br />Beth @ More Than Truehttp://morethantrue.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7175652458700347449.post-51351652772658314062013-02-04T14:01:18.778-06:002013-02-04T14:01:18.778-06:00ALSC is doing more with virtual membership too. I ...ALSC is doing more with virtual membership too. I am a virtual member of the School Age Services Committee (I'm on Council so my meetings conflict.<br /><br />As for School Library Journal... send a note to one of the review editors and volunteer. They are looking for 250 word-ish reviews so show stuff that reflects that clarity. Give them a link to what you consider your top 10 best short reviews (and let them know your preferred niche - picture books; NF; chapter; etc.) Let them know you've been on the Cybils and include your list's final selection. That may get you going. Marge Loch-Woutershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09299355611398291374noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7175652458700347449.post-2069849190441086202013-02-04T13:00:55.767-06:002013-02-04T13:00:55.767-06:00It seems like ALSC is a whole other can of worms w...It seems like ALSC is a whole other can of worms when it comes to selection committees. YALSA, from what I've read from other people, doesn't seem to get quite the volunteer amounts ALSC does which definitely makes that initial step more difficult.Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03143076553082307597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7175652458700347449.post-1404977929177079542013-02-04T12:25:05.743-06:002013-02-04T12:25:05.743-06:00Sarah, your post was buzzing around my head since ...Sarah, your post was buzzing around my head since I saw it. We all read but reading critically is a horse of a different color. It was great! Oooh, and I hope to see you in the ALSC world!Marge Loch-Woutershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09299355611398291374noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7175652458700347449.post-3166919099694304132013-02-04T12:22:55.995-06:002013-02-04T12:22:55.995-06:00I think it's cool you've had great experie...I think it's cool you've had great experiences & I do think taking a leap is important - just hope people don't get discouraged if an opportunity doesn't come along for a bit.Marge Loch-Woutershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09299355611398291374noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7175652458700347449.post-23040579812329531512013-02-04T12:21:03.401-06:002013-02-04T12:21:03.401-06:00That's a great point about local and national ...That's a great point about local and national committees..kinds of keep your toe in somewhere but still give others a chance! And I agree about staying involved and vocal at whatever level you can participate in. I love that social media lets us reach out far beyond our library walls to connect!Marge Loch-Woutershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09299355611398291374noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7175652458700347449.post-36736546962453422102013-02-04T11:22:53.253-06:002013-02-04T11:22:53.253-06:00Wow-thanks for the shout out! :)
This is great ad...Wow-thanks for the shout out! :)<br /><br />This is great advice! I also think getting involved in state committees is a great way to get started. And like Jennie mentioned, getting your name out there on listservs is very helpful-I think that's what helped me get put on the ballot for Printz. By getting your name out there though, don't self promote yourself or your blog on listservs, but instead post thoughtful questions and answers to discussions already happening. If you need help with a program-ask. That's the best way to get your name out there.<br /><br />And process committees and juries are a great way to get started! You have to prove yourself and you can't start with something huge.<br /><br />I'm hoping to get involved in ALSC more when I can apply for committees again in June. I'd really like to start serving with both YALSA and ALSC.GreenBeanTeenQueenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08708155058381407531noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7175652458700347449.post-58897205953450876082013-02-04T10:30:24.288-06:002013-02-04T10:30:24.288-06:00I actually think my committee inexperience helped ...I actually think my committee inexperience helped me get on the Printz (currently serving NOW, woo!). I've served on the Cybils and my state's book award (The Maud Hart Lovelace committee) but in terms of YALSA, I only have Popular Paperbacks committee. This is all great advice but sometimes I think it's good to just take a leap too, apply, and see what happens. I certainly never expected to already be serving on the Printz.<br /><br />I like your point about Process committees too though. They are very important and help build contacts so when you do have that chance, someone is going to recognize your name.Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03143076553082307597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7175652458700347449.post-40963852949162577892013-02-04T08:53:30.251-06:002013-02-04T08:53:30.251-06:00This was the first year I was able to be an ALSC m...This was the first year I was able to be an ALSC member - yay savings account! And I was very excited to try out a committee for the first time. I admit I was feeling kind of meh about it until I met my colleagues at midwinter and we were able to discuss face to face - awesome! Sadly, I can't afford the conferences every year, so it will be a while before I can go on again, but I recommend trying a "regular" committee if you can.<br />I have to admit I have no ambitions to be on Newbery or Caldecott - I am happy with Cybils, which fits me well (and you are absolutely right about there being a difference between discussion and reviewing) but one thing I am interested in is possibly reviewing for a journal someday. Make your next post about how this works please! I have my sights on SLJ.Jenniferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05096787155616041727noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7175652458700347449.post-18053209048626762472013-02-04T08:38:19.704-06:002013-02-04T08:38:19.704-06:00Marge! Such great points!
I think it is really im...Marge! Such great points!<br /><br />I think it is really important to serve at the local and state levels. Not only do they build your chops, they help your resume AND you can make some really good contacts. I was nominated to a prize committee by someone on the YALSA nominating committee. She knew me and my work because we had been on a state committee together.<br /><br />I have a coworker who bounces between local and national committees. I think that's something also to mention-- local and state committees aren't just for beginners-- they're still there to serve on when you're taking a break from the national committees. They're also great because you can forge some friendships with people you can see more frequently and build some cool partnerships.<br /><br />The other thing I would recommend is being active on list-servs, especially if you decide to run for committee election instead of being appointed. (This might change-- there's some election bylaw changes up for a vote). This gets your name out there, and, like you said, participating in discussion is a different skill set than reviewing (which is also an important skill set. I feel like for an award committee, you need both.)<br /><br />You talk about how being on committee is the only way for the library to fund conferences and that you should advocate for your value so you still get to go. I would counter with-- don't go. In most places I've worked, more people want to go than can. It's not just a funding issue-- someone has to stay behind and be on desk! I was unable to attend ALA for many years because of coworkers who were always on committees and so they were the ones who got to go. (Not even award committees-- many were process.) <br /><br />On the other hand, not being able to go to ALA meant that I could go to state conferences and I got really involved at the state level. (One of the hard parts about changing systems was I changed states and I'm no longer plugged into that network and because of my work for YALSA, I am unable to plug into my new state system.)Jenniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02024880986964198385noreply@blogger.com