2009 Judging Panel

Belynda Smith (Convenor)

Belynda Smith is currently the Co-ordinator of the Children's & Teenage Services Librarians based at Takapuna Library.

Belynda worked as a Children's Specialist Librarian in London and since returning to NZ has enjoyed roles in school and public libraries in Christchurch, Nelson and Auckland.

Belynda loves being involved with and promoting Children's Literature and uses this as an excuse to read whenever she can. In her role at Takapuna Library she has daily contact with children and says that the children's response to books in last years awards was invaluable when it came to judging.

Pene Walsh

Pene Walsh, District Librarian for Gisborne District has always maintained a strong and active interest in children's literature. Her library delivers a literacy programme for young people including; weekly preschool programmes, curriculum based lessons for all school levels and active participation with children's authors.

Pene has been a judge for the Goodman Fielder Wattie Book Award (now Montana Book Awards) and has undertaken assessments for the Margaret King Spencer Writer's Trust which involves assessing an open range of unpublished manuscripts that includes material written for children.

Pene is particularly interested in the relationship between text and pictures, how that translates in a child's mind and their literacy development. Pene firmly believes reading and good books are the code to unlocking any child's hidden potential and the people who work in libraries, bookshops and schools are often able to share that code.

Colleen Shipley

Colleen Shipley began her career as a special librarian and later moved to school libraries after her children started school.

Colleen has worked as Librarian at Marlborough Girls' College in Blenheim for the last six years and says "in a College Library the two big challenges faced are hooking reluctant readers into reading and helping them to maintain the reading habit after year 11."

Colleen is impressed with the standard of young adult literature that is produced by New Zealand authors and has several favourites that she recommends to reluctant readers with success. Her biggest satisfaction in her work is when students come back for another recommendation as they develop their own selection skills.

Alice Heather (Convenor Te Kura Pounamu)

Alice Heather (Judging Panel Convenor for Te Kura Pounamu) has been working at the National Library in Auckland, in the role of Māori Adviser for school Services for the last eight years.

Alice now works part-time at the National Library and has returned to secondary school teaching, teaching English as well as teacher with library responsibility at Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Hoani Waititi.

Alice is an active member of Te Rōpū Whakahau and Te Hikuroa (Māori Librarians in the Auckland Region). Alice helped to set up Uiangapatai, the te reo Māori side of Anyquestions and is currently an operator for both services.