South Carolina Book Awards Committee

2021-2022 Book Award Handbook

 Interested in joining a book award committee?  The application is now available online https://forms.gle/tp44uHnbn5cPKPk76  

Function: The Book Award Committees are tasked with annually formulating the SCASL Book Award Program nominee book lists.

In order to accomplish this they must each read 100 - 250 titles each year and then discuss and evaluate those titles at regular meetings. The result is each year’s carefully selected reading list in each of four categories: Picture Book, Children's, Junior, and Young Adult.  Librarians, teachers, and students across the state of South Carolina owe these committee members a big vote of thanks!

Composition: The Book Award Committee has an Executive Board Representative/Chairperson and Vice-Chair to oversee all award levels as well as Chair and Vice Chair positions for each sub-committee (Picture, Children’s, Junior, and Young Adult).  Each of the Book Award Committees can be made up of a cross-section of media specialists, teachers, students, parents, administrators, public librarians, and college or university representatives.

Chairperson: The Book Award Committee Chairperson (Executive Board Representative) is selected by the SCASL President in consultation with the outgoing Chair.  Contact: [email protected]

2021-22 Chairperson:  Melanie Starks

2021-22 Vice Chair:  Traci Nelson

2021-2022 Picture Book Award committee members:  Tiffany Anderson, Kristine Britt, Calli Collins, Caroline Danysh, Marianela Dieguez, Angela Durham, Glenda Green, Mirian Hardy-Koverman, Jackie Harris, Bethany Imms (Chair), Katherine Jones, Mary Mouthaan, Kimberly Rush, Shannon Ryan, Joy Scaglione, Zoan Stokes, Jill Tyner, Michelle Weaver, Karen Wimberly, Melanie Wyndham

2021-2022 Children's Book Award committee members: Finn Brandoon, Michal Hope Brandon, Suzanne Brookes, James Bryan, Debbie Cooper, Jamey Crumpton, Morgan Gibson, Elizabeth Harris (Chair), Casey Locke, Amy Marshall, Stacey Meritt, Megan Michener, Nikki Mock, Rosie Sandin, Michael Seagle, Anne Sidey, Victoria Smith, Mary Staley, Sarah Young, Jessica Zannini (Vice Chair)

2021-2022 Junior Book Award committee members: Hannah Benton, Joy Benton, BT Bouton, Michelle Bridges, Lucy Mac Brown, Natalie Childs, Carolyn Crosland, Kendall Crossley, Lillie Danysh, Rose Davis, Ben Fulk, Amber Glessner, Jennifer Gomez, Owen Gregory, Stephanie Gregory, Seth Jerideau, Pam Lorentz (Chair), Kristi Newsome (Vice Chair), Randye Polk, Megan Ricard, Alexis Schwallier, Brenda Stephens, Sherell Stepp, Julia Stone, Priscilla Summerford, Ann Tillman, Melissa Zahler

2021-2022 Young Adult Book Award committee members:  Landon Barden, Tracey Burel, Michele Carroll, Michelle Chase, Marie Davidsohn, Melanie Dukes, Katherine Freligh, Karen Gareis, Adalynn Hapeshis, Rebecca Harper, Sarah Hubert, Season Johnson, Beth Kelly, Candace Lett, Amber McCoy, Tiffany Paeschke, Amy Pittsenbarger, Jillian Stroud, Danielle Tarvin, Sarah Trani, Anna Webb (Chair), Mia Yancey, Stephanie Yancey (Vice Chair), Dasia Yearby

Meetings: The Book Award Committees meet five times a year: May, August, October, December, and March (at the Annual Conference).  In addition to the general meeting at the Annual Conference, Committee members are expected to participate in their Committee's presentation session at Conference.

2021 - 2022 Meeting Dates:
          

  • May 1, 2021

  • August 14, 2021

  • October 9, 2021

  • December 4, 2021

  • March 2022 @ Conference

The Columbia area meetings start at 10:00 am and usually last for about 2 hours.

**In addition to the PBA, CBA, JBA, & YABA presentation sessions held at the SCASL Annual Conference, a general SCBA session is held for new/returning members and anyone interested in learning more about the book awards program.  

Duties: See the Book Awards Handbook for a complete list of duties and responsibilities for all levels and positions of the Book Award Committees.  A few of the duties/responsibilities for book award committee members include:
  • maintain current membership in SCASL
  • attend four Columbia-area meetings each year.
  • attend the SCASL conference, be present at the appropriate booktalk sessions, and work in the Book Award section of the conference store.
  • submit twelve book titles for the next year’s consideration list 
  • read the books on the list of books under consideration (between 100 – 250 titles depending upon the committee you serve) to narrow the list down to the top 20 best titles.
  • assist in the creation of an online activity guide and media for your committee's nominees.
  • present a booktalk for at least one book at the annual SCASL conference.

Last updated: 4 December 2021