Friday, January 29, 2010
SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR
WARREN — Lori Faust, youth-services manager with the Warren-Trumbull County Public Library, recently completed her service as a member of the 2010 John Newbery Award Committee.
The committee is charged with selecting annually the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children.
The Newbery Medal is awarded each January.
Faust, of Boardman, was selected to serve on the committee through her involvement in the Association for Library Service for Children, a division of the American Library Association.
She was responsible for reading and reviewing eligible children’s books that were published during 2009, then working with the 15-member committee to name the best of the year.
The 2010 Newbery Medal was awarded to Rebecca Stead for her book “When You Reach Me.”
Four Newbery awards were given to: Phillip Hoose for “Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice”; Jacqueline Kelly for “The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate”; Grace Lin for “Where the Mountain Meets the Moon”; and Rodman Philbrick for “The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg.”
“I was an avid reader as a child and was always drawn to the books that had the shiny Newbery Medal on the cover,” Faust said. “So it was a huge thrill for me to be part of selecting this year’s winning titles that will be enjoyed by children now and in years to come.”
Faust earned her master’s of library and information science degree from Kent State University and has a bachelor’s degree in music from Louisiana State University.
“Selection to serve on the Newbery Committee is a tremendous honor, and we are very proud that Lori was chosen for this exciting national assignment,” said James Wilkins, Warren-Trumbull County Public Library director. “The Newbery Award is widely considered to be the most prestigious award in children’s literature.”
The Newbery Award Committee operates under the direction of the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the ALA. The ALA is the oldest and largest library association in the world.
The Warren-Trumbull County Public Library includes the Main Library in Warren, branch libraries in Brookfield, Cortland, Howland, Liberty, and Lordstown, and Bookmobile and homebound services.