The Morris Seminar remains one of the highlights of my professional career. When I received a phone call from ALSC in the fall of 2007 telling me that I had been selected for the 2008 Morris Seminar, I jumped around the library and walked around grinning for the rest of the week.
The seminar more than exceeded my high expectations. I learned how to better talk about books with peers as we broke into small groups and enthusiastically discussed some of that year’s most talked-about children’s books. K.T. Horning, author of From Cover to Cover, made me more aware of techniques in picture book art, which increased my confidence in my ability to evaluate picture books, a skill that has served me well in writing professional reviews for School Library Journal and Multicultural Review. It was a delight to work with many ALSC leaders, including the late Kate McClelland who took many of the participants under her wise and gentle wings.
I continue to accept any opportunity to talk about books with fellow librarians, including several of my Morris alumni friends, both via social network websites and on the 2010 Caldecott Award Committee. The Morris Seminar prepared me to read and critique, discuss and listen. I highly recommend the experience to anyone who wishes to learn more about the workings of ALSC, aspires to serve on award committees, or shares a passion for children’s literature.
Julie Ranelli
Queen Anne’s County Free Library
Stevensville, MD