Elizabeth Burr/Worzalla Award announced

The Children's Book Award Committee has selected the 2008 Elizabeth Burr/Worzalla award winner, "Rabbit’s Gift: A Fable from China." Written by George Shannon and illustrated by Laura Dronzek, the book emphasizes the importance of friendship, community, and sharing. The warm, beautiful illustrations are a perfect complement to the story. Both the author and illustrator of this year’s book have significant Wisconsin ties. George Shannon lived in Eau Claire for many years, and Laura Dronzek lives in Madison.

The committee also named seven titles as exemplary of Outstanding Achievement in Children’s Literature:

"The Silenced" by James DeVita
"The Perfect Nest" by Catherine Friend
"The OK Book" illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld
"Babies Can’t Eat Kimchee!" Written and illustrated by Susan L. Roth
"Terrible Storm" illustrated by S.D. Schindler
"Circle the Truth" by Pat Schmatz
"Keeping Corner" by Kashmira Sheth


The Elizabeth Burr/Worzalla award is given annually for excellence in children’s literature to a book by a book creator with Wisconsin ties. The award is named for Elizabeth Burr, who made outstanding and important contributions to library services for young people during her 27 years of service in Wisconsin, and Worzalla Publishing Company, which funds the award through a grant to the WLA Foundation.

WAPL 2007 kicks off in Eau Claire

The WLA Foundation's Rick Krumwiede talks up the Campaign for Wisconsin Libraries at the opening session.

The keynote presenter was Keith Curry Lance, Director of the RSL Research Group of the Colorado State Library and University of Denver. Lance spoke on "Making it Count @ Your Library." Featured were tips on data sources and ways to substantiate the value of public libraries to their communities in various roles.

Watch for a PowerPoint of the keynote presentation to be posted later. In the meantime, catch Stef Morrill's notes.

MATS Blogging the 2007 WAPL Conference

The 2007 WAPL Conference will be a great place to be, but not everyone can get away to Eau Claire May 2nd-4th. Good news; three WLA Media and Technology Section (MATS) members -- Nichole Fromm, Joy Schwarz & Terry Dawson -- will soon be posting their notes about conference programs & sessions, here on the WLA blog. And Stef Morrill will be blogging about WAPL programs over on her Ning blog too.