If you are an ALSC member who would love to host a children’s author or illustrator to speak with a group of children who have not had the opportunity to hear a nationally known author/illustrator, you are encouraged to apply for the ALSC Maureen Hayes Author/Illustrator Visit Award. This award pays up to $4,000 of the honorarium and travel expenses for a visiting author/illustrator.
The application is available to be downloaded from the ALSC Maureen Hayes Award Page. The page also links to the very helpful Tips for Planning an Author/Illustrator Visit
One of the award’s requirements is to cooperate with other types of libraries and local or area groups. I know how much work it is to develop partnerships with other agencies. However, a combined effort to invite an author/illustrator is an exciting way to build those partnerships, opening more doors to offer resources to children and their caregivers. There’s still time to apply for the 2008 Maureen Hayes Author/Illustrator Visit Award. The deadline for applications has been extended to January 1, 2008.