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LIANZA is calling for Expressions of Interest for the 2010 LIANZA Children's Book Awards Judging Panels

2 February 2010

The LIANZA Children's Book Awards are judged by a panel of New Zealand children's librarians. These awards are an opportunity for the library profession to encourage the quality work of New Zealand children's authors who help individuals, and thereby communities, to flourish and grow. LIANZA is proud of its part in setting high standards for writers, who value these awards immensely.

The Awards

The LIANZA Children's Book Awards consist of four awards (official criteria below):

The Esther Glen Award recognises a distinguished contribution to literature for children by a New Zealand author. This prestigious award is New Zealand's oldest and has been awarded by LIANZA since 1944. It commemorates New Zealand children's author and Editor Esther Glen, who was considered the best female journalist in New Zealand in her time.

The LIANZA Young Adult Fiction Award The launch of this new award in LIANZA's centenary year recognises a distinguished contribution to literature for children and young adults, by an author who is a citizen of New Zealand.

The Russell Clark Award is awarded to an illustrator or artist for the most distinguished pictures or illustrations for a children's book, with or without text. The award is named for renowned New Zealand illustrator Russell Clark.

The Elsie Locke Award (previously the LIANZA Young People's Non-fiction Award) is given to the New Zealand author of a book that is considered to be a distinguished contribution to non-fiction for young people. In 2001, after receipt of a generous bequest, the award was renamed in memory of Elsie Locke; writer, historian and leader in peace movements and women's affairs.

Te Kura Pounamu is awarded to the New Zealand author of a book that is considered to be a distinguished contribution to literature for children or young people in te reo Maori and promotes excellence of library resources in Maori.

All the awards have a long history, with the most recent being Te Kura Pounamu which was introduced in 1995.

Key Appointments

LIANZA is seeking expressions of Interests for the following appointments:

Judging Panel Members (2) Esther Glen, LIANZA Young Adult, Russell Clark and Elsie Locke

Judging Panel Members (2) Te Kura Pounamu

Key Responsibilities

• To manage the judging and provision of the shortlist for the set category as allocated within the Judging Panel;
• To provide communications, shortlist reports and final judging of the Awards to the set program deadlines set in collaboration with the Children's Book Awards Coordinator;
• LIANZA will cover the cost of a judge for each award to present at the 2010 Children's Book Awards Presentation to be held in Wellington, Monday 16 August 2010.

Term of Appointment

The term of appointment is from March 2010 to September 2010.

Appointment Process

Expressions of interest are sought from LIANZA members. The final decision will be made by the LIANZA National Council in consultation with the Children's Book Awards Coordinator.

Applications close 16th February 2010.

Please apply in confidence to;

The Children's Book Awards Coordinator
Wendy Walker
LIANZA
PO Box 12-212
Wellington
New Zealand
wendy@lianza.org.nz