South Carolina Book Awards Committee

2017-2018 Book Award Handbook

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 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.

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

The Columbia area meetings start at 10:00 am and usually last for about 2 hours.
The December meeting sometime may last longer because it is the final meeting.

**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.  

• 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 along with at least two positive book reviews on each from reputable reviewing sources.
• 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 podcasts for your committee's nominees.
• present a booktalk for at least one book at the annual SCASL conference.

 Last updated: 21 March 2018