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RI Children's Book Award

Committee Application

RI Children'sBook AwardCommittee Application
Learn more about the RI Children's Book Award winners and nominees at:
https://olis.ri.gov/youth/ricba/winners.php

Join the Rhode Island Children's Book Award Committee!

Today is the last day to submit an application!


Ever wonder what goes into creating a RICBA nominee list? Looking for a professional development opportunity that puts you front and center with the newest and best books for children?

Join the Rhode Island Children’s Book Award committee!

The Rhode Island Children's Book Award committee is now seeking:

  • 1 public youth services librarian to serve a 3 year term, 2021-2024
  • 1 school librarian to serve a 3 year term, 2021-2024
  • 1 teacher to serve a 3 year term, 2021-2024

Those interested are invited to complete the application below by Wednesday, April 14. Applicants will be notified in mid April regarding their application status for the term beginning in September 2021 and ending in April 2024. Please feel free to share this application with anyone you think may be interested.


About Serving on the Rhode Island Children's Book Award Committee
Each committee member serves a 3 year term and acts as either the Chair, Book Chair or Secretary during the second year of their term. The committee meets monthly from September through April to discuss current children's literature and make nominations. Committee members typically read 12-15 children's books per month before deciding on the final list of 20 nominees in April. Committee membership requires a significant time commitment that includes 2.5 hours a month for meetings, and approximately 30 hours a month for reading. Committee members also participate (on a voluntary basis) in events such as the Kids Reading Across RI kickoff (May), the RI Festival of Children's Books and Authors (September), and various professional conferences. If you would like to use your committee participation for professional development, the Office of Library and Information Services can issue a letter confirming your PD time.


Committee Meetings and Communication

The committee meets monthly September - April. Committee meetings will be held via Zoom on the third Thursday of the month from 6pm-7pm. Committee members may also meet with their small reading group virtually throughout the month. When appropriate, the committee will collectively decide if and how meetings will return to being held in person. Between meetings committee members communicate and work collaboratively through email and Google Drive.

About the RI Children's Book Award

Annually children in grades 3 to 5 have the opportunity to vote on their favorite book from a ballot of 20 selections nominated for the Rhode Island Children’s Book Award by a panel of librarians, reading specialists and teachers. Children vote as part of their class or with their local public library.

The award began in 1990 as a joint project of the Rhode Island State Council of the International Reading Association, the Rhode Island Library Association, and the Rhode Island Educational Media Association, under the coordination of the Rhode Island Office of Library and Information Services. Today, the Rhode Island Children's Book Award is co-sponsored by the School Librarians of Rhode Island (SLRI), the Rhode Island Library Association (RILA), and the Rhode Island Center for the Book at the Rhode Island Council for the Humanities (RICFB), and is advised by the Rhode Island Office of Library and Information Services (OLIS).Three public youth services librarians, three members of SLRI, and three members of RICFB are each chosen to each serve three year terms on the committee.

20 nominees are announced each spring. Public libraries, school libraries, and classrooms promote the award and share the nominees throughout the year. Voting takes place the following February and the winner is announced in March. Children in grades 3-5 who have read at least 3 books from the list of 20 nominees are eligible to vote. Voting takes place at participating schools and public libraries throughout the state.

More Information

Please visit the RICBA web pages, Facebook page, or contact Danielle Margarida for more information.