Maureen Hayes Author/Illustrator Visit Award

This award was established with funding from Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, in honor of Maureen Hayes, to bring together children and nationally recognized authors/illustrators by funding up to $4000 for an author/illustrator visit to a library.

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Committee Resources | Award Criteria | Award Requirements | How to Apply

Current Maureen Hayes Author/Illustrator Award Winner

Past Maureen Hayes Author/Illustrator Award Winners

For tips on planning an author visit, please click here.

Committee Resources


Criteria

Each application will be judged on the following:

  • Reasons for the application. The applicant seeks to provide a visit from an author/illustrator who will speak to children who have not had the opportunity to hear a nationally known author/illustrator. Reasons for applying could include: particular contribution; a special celebration, etc.
  • Facilities. The appropriateness, both in terms of capacity and accessibility.
  • Administrative support. The organization and administrative capabilities of the person or group submitting an application evident in the enclosed budget, and partially manifested in the presentation of the application itself.
  • Cooperation with other organizations. The applicant must work cooperatively with other types of libraries (academic, public and school) and bookstores within the local community to provide the author/illustrator visit, thereby also providing a broader audience. The applicant must present the library's educational goals, as well as evidence of how those goals apply to the local community's educational goals. The extent to which meaningful cooperation among various local or area groups would suggest an ability to share responsibilities of personnel, time, and money needed to cover local expenses.
  • Author/Illustrator visit visibility. Emphasis on the presentation as a distinctive event publicized to and open to all potential attendees in the area is a priority.

Requirements

Applicants must:

  • Be personal members of ALSC as well as 91´«Ã½; organizational members are not eligible
  • Act as host for the author/illustrator visit, the date to be arranged at the mutual convenience of the artist/illustrator and the host institution
  • The award covers only the honorarium and travel expense to and from the host city. The host is responsible for making travel arrangements that are mutually agreed upon by the host and the author/illustrator, and for paying the up front travel costs. Maximum award is $4,000
  • Host institution must arrange to pay for any reception, dinner, or other hospitality honoring the speaker following the visit and to pay for all local lodging, means, etc. of the lecturer
  • Prepare and distribute publicity
  • If applicable, autographing and sale of books may be arranged with the publisher by the host institution. Any other programs/events (other than those promoting the visit) must be arranged with the author/illustrator's publisher(s) or agent, and must be arranged with the author/illustrator's knowledge and permission, and must be funded separately

How to apply

The ALSC Programs and Services Recognition Committee reviews applications. Applications are closed for 2024.

Please do not fill out the application until you have all the necessary materials to complete your application.