There is so much more that I can say about being on this incredible Committee, but I’ll keep it brief again. To me, there are always two related but also separate facets that make serving on Media Evaluation Committees so valuable. One is of course the “work” and the stated “goal” of the Committee, compiling a list of titles that will reach libraries and children nationwide (be they Audio Books, Websites, or Books). Through these recommended lists, we are promoting great works and even guiding the industry to a certain extend.
The second facet is the tremendous growth that one gains by serving on these Committees. Days after our concluding meeting and heart-felt goodbyes, the 2008 Notable Children’s Books Committee members have been filling each other’s email inboxes with messages, gushing over how grateful we are to each other’s insights and professionalism, and how much we have all learned and matured, professionally. I personally have learned how to better listen and participate in a group discussion. I definitely got a better sense as to when to speak up and when to keep silent. I learned to be more in tune with the group and see from others’ view points. I also learned to not be afraid to raise concerns as long as I can phrase my concerns in ways that will not offend my colleagues and to back up my comments with specific examples from the materials at hand. (Maybe I didn’t quite learn how not to be afraid, being a very vocal critic all along, but I did learn to phrase my concerns carefully, especially in a public arena such as this!) To listen carefully to my skilled colleagues as they describe parts of a book with such precision and eloquence was probably the most joyful part of the whole “arduous” task.
I said that I’d be brief, so I’m stopping here. There might be more posts coming about this experience, as I get ready for another year of Notables.