The Bluestem Award: Illinois’ Grades 3-5 Readers’ Choice Award
Monday, April 15, 2024
Get the scoop on the brand-new 2025 Bluestem Readers' Choice nominees list and learn fun & practical ways to implement the Readers' Choice program at your library this year. Have you ever wanted to serve on the committee? If so, find out how you can be part of the program.
The recording of this webinar is available to all Illinois libraries for a limited time. If you have any questions, or experience any issues viewing the webinar or accessing the handouts, please contact Tamara Jenkins at tjenkins@ila.org
View the webinar
About the Speakers
Christine Hwang is a Youth and School Services Librarian at the Vernon Area Public Library in Lincolnshire, IL where she has worked since 2017. Before becoming a public librarian, I used to work as a school librarian and as a technology associate. I enjoy creating engaging programs that inspire students to learn, to read, and to have fun! I am thrilled to be a part of this wonderful program!
Mindy Jackson is the School Liaison Librarian for the Plainfield Area Public Library. Since 2011, she has created and presented curriculum-themed storytimes and original programs for the students in Plainfield Consolidated School District 202. PSD 202 has 31 schools and is currently the fifth largest school system in Illinois. Mindy started off as a volunteer reader for the
Bluestem Reading Committee and for the next three years will co-chair the Reading Committee with Bridget Scales.
Christy Kepler has worked at a public library in youth services for nearly 20 years. She is an active member in national and state library communities and enjoys presenting on library service to children. Christy has served on the ALSC Managing Children’s Services Committee, all three of the Illinois state book award committees, on the Illinois Library Association’s Youth Services Forum Board, and the LACONI board. She is currently the Head of Youth Services at the Oswego Public Library District.
Heidi Knuth
is the Assistant Department Head of Youth Services at the Bloomingdale Public Library. She has worked in libraries in various capacities for over 22 years and served on the Reaching Forward Committee, the ILA Intellectual Freedom Committee, the ILA Youth Services Forum Board, the Conference Program Committee, and was a mentor for the ALSC Mentor Program and Dominican University's Volare program. She's been working with the Bluestem lists at her libraries since the award's founding, is delighted to have served as the chair, and excited to hand that responsibility to the amazing Christine Hwang in July.
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