About Us - Children's Literature Council

The Children's Literature Council of Southern California is a non-profit organization that promotes greater interest in literature for children and young people and encourages excellence in the production and selection of books in that field. The work of the Council is accomplished through the cooperative effort of its members who include school and public librarians, teachers, authors, illustrators, publishers, booksellers, parents, and others interested in children's and young adult literature. This diversity means that members share a wealth of expertise.

The organization was founded in 1961 by Dorothy C. McKenzie and others dedicated to the celebration of literature for children and teens in the Southern California area. A 21-member Board of Directors with 7 Officers coordinates and plans the activities for the organization.

The Council educates its members through many events and activities. The Spring Workshop provides practical information to those who work directly with young people and literature. Through publicity the Council supports the activities of Other Organizations involved with literature for children and young adults.

The Council also recognizes the works of Southern California authors and illustrators in categories that reflect the most outstanding books published the previous year. These Awards are presented at the annual Fall Gala which features a reception honoring Southern California authors and illustrators of books for children and young adults as well as a distinguished speaker.

The Sampler, a newsletter published by the Council, keeps readers updated on events, trends and issues in children's and young adult literature. The Sampler also features "Wet Print", a list of recently published books by Southern California authors and illustrators. The Council also publishes a membership directory each year for its members.

Board of Directors - Officers 2011-2013

	President Shana Johnson , Public Librarian Shana is the Youth Services Librarian II at the Santa Monica Public Library. She has served as the Awards Committee Chair and as 2nd Vice President.

	1st Vice President (Fall Gala) Susan Dubin, School Librarian Susan, an educator for more than 30 years, works with institutions who want to provide library experiences for their students but who do not have a full-time librarian through her library consulting business, Off-the-Shelf. In 1998, Susan was the first librarian honored with a Milken Family Foundation Jewish Educator Award.

	2nd Vice President ("The Sampler" - Newsletter) Judith Kantor is the librarian at the UCLA Lab School.

	3rd Vice President (Spring Workshop) Caroline Gill, School Librarian Caroline is a National Board Certified Teacher Librarian at Palms Middle School in Los Angeles.

	Secretary Roger Kelly, Public Librarian Roger has served on the Board since 1996. He is the Coordinator of Children's and Teen Services for the Santa Monica Public Library.

	Treasurer Maxine Lucas, School Librarian Maxine is a School Librarian at Harvard-Westlake Middle School in Los Angeles. She is the current webmaster for the Catholic Library Association and president of the Catholic Library Association southern California Chapter.

Board of Directors

	Dr. Marjorie Arnett Marjorie retired in 2009 after 42 years as a classroom teacher, reading specialist and administrator in public and private schools in Indiana, Ohio, Wisconsin, and California. She was western regional coordinator for IRA Teacher Book Choice Award, founding board member of Wisconsin Independent School Educators (WISE), Founding Board Member, member of Smiley Public Library Family day Planning committee, and Coordinator of Charlotte S. Huck Children's Literature Festival at the University of Redlands.

	Alyson Beecher, Principal Alyson is a principal at San Rafael Elementary School in Pasadena. She is currently Chair of the CLC Awards Committee. Her office is the unofficial library of the school and her favorite words to hear from a child are, "What new books do you have for me?"

	Jody Cohn

	Cindy Corderman, Public Librarian Cindy is a Regional Services manager for Orange County Public Libraries, Southern Region. Cindy has served on the Awards Committee and as 1st Vice President.

	Jennifer Driscoll, Public Librarian Jennifer is a Children's Librarian at the Pasadena Public Library. She has also served on the Children's Literataure Council Awards Committee and is an active participant in the CLCSC Pasadena area Book Club. Jennifer is Publicity Chair of CLC.

	Joanna Fabicon is a Librarian in the Children's Literature Department at the Central Library of LAPL. She has previously served on CLCSC's Awards Committee. She currently chairs the Membership Committee.

	Kristine O'Connell George, Author and Poet Kristine is an award-winning poet who is passionate about all genres of children's literature. Even books with sentences! Her upcoming title is: Emma Dilemma: Big Sister Poems (Clarion, 2010). Kristine considers it an honor to be a member of the CLCSC Board; she finds working with her fellow board members enriching and very worthwhile.

	Pamela M. Greene, School Librarian Pamela is currently the Librarian and Technology Teacher at The Hollywood Schoolhouse. She is also a Web Designer and is currently the Webmaster for the CLCSC Website and the California Young Reader Medal Website.

	Betsy Kahn, School Librarian Betsy is the Librarian at Pasadena High School and currently serves at Wet Print editor for The Sampler. She is a musician and plays bass guitar with the PHS Choir, as well as in two other bands of her own. Two of her missions in life are to disabuse people of their stereotypes about librarians, and to be a champion of the love of books and reading!

	Barbara Metzenbaum, Children's Librarian Barbara is the Children's Librarian at the Studio City Branch Library of the Los Angeles Public Library. She was Past President of FOCAL - Friends of Children and Literature - and currently serves on its board as Webmaster. She is currently the Chair of the CLCSC Awards Committee and is happily reading like crazy.

	Helen Overstreet, School Librarian Helen is the School Librarian at the Frostig Center in Pasadena. She is also President of the Friends of the Pasadena Public Library.

	Laurie Reese, Public Librarian Laurie is Hollywood Area Children's Librarian III for the City of Los Angeles Public Library.

	Ann Stampler, Author
	Carey Vance, Public Librarian Carey is a Children's Librarian at the Burbank Public Library.
Board of Directors, Emeritus
Christine Allen, (Emeritus) Christine is District Librarian for grades K-12 in Riverside, California. Serenna Day, (Emeritus) Serena retired from the Los Angeles Public Library and serves as Past President of FOCAL. Carolyn Johnson, (Emeritus) Carolyn is a former Fullerton City Librarian, and is a long-term board member. Penny Markey, (Emeritus) Retired Public Librarian, Advocate, Libraries and Literacy, Children and Families. Lynne Mook, (Emeritus) Retired Book Distributor - Mook and Blanchard

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