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I'm passing this along from Betty Carter but add my endorsement for working with the committee. It's a great challenge and was one of the most rewarding experiences I have had as a children's librarian. I urge you, especially public librarians from District 3, to apply. --Jeanette Larson, Austin Public Library Betty's message....Forwarded---- One of the joys of working with the Texas Bluebonnet Award Program is getting to know so many fine librarians. Many of you have comments and suggestions that show how deeply you care about kids and their reading. For three of you, there is an opportunity to take that expertise and share it with others - as a member of the Bluebonnet Selection Committee. The Selection Committee is chosen by TLA district, with one person from each district serving on the committee. There are three openings for the next rotation: TLA districts 3 (including the Austin area), 4 (including Port Aransas), and 7 (including Fort Worth and Denton). If you work in one of these districts (and you can double-check by logging on to the "Members Only" section of the TLA web site (<http://www.txla.org>) and entering your name), now is the time to apply for committee membership yourself or encourage fine librarians you work with (in both school and public settings) to apply. Many librarians, devoted to both children and their reading, wonder if they've had enough experience or have the skills to serve on the Bluebonnet Committee. As their supervisors, often you know they do, and for so many of these qualified professionals, it just takes a small push from you to give them the confidence they need to apply and serve. The requirements for serving on the committee are: librarians must be involved in the delivery of library services to children; be members (but not current officers) of either TASL or CRT; be able to attend Annual Conference, Annual Assembly, and an October selection meeting; and not be formally affiliated with either a children's book author or publisher. The committee is best served by those individuals who have knowledge of children's literature, book selection, and children's reading processes. And those librarians with an eye for detail and a strong sense of professional responsibility bring added value to their tenure. Openings in these districts will not come around for three more years. Now is the time to spotlight the fine librarians in these areas. If you have any questions you may contact Jack Strawn, chair of the Texas Association of School Librarians at e020815; Connie Pace, chair of the Children's Round Table at [EMAIL PROTECTED]; or Betty Carter, Coordinator of the Bluebonnet Program, at [EMAIL PROTECTED] Application forms, and additional information are available on the TBA website ( <http://www.txla.org/groups/tba> ). On the left-hand navigational bar you'll see a link to "Committee Applications." Take that link for a more detailed overview of the responsibilities of a Selection Committee member. You will also see a place to download the application form. The forms must be postmarked (or sent electronically) by November 15, 2005. Again, I want to invite many of you to apply for one of these positions. The committee is intense, it involves a lot of hard work. On the other hand, the rewards are enormous as you work with other terrific librarians and kids across the state. Betty Carter, Texas Bluebonnet Award Coordinator
