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PHILADELPHIA — Brian Selznick, author and illustrator, will deliver the 2015 May Hill Arbuthnot Honor Lecture. The announcement was made today by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the 91��ý (91��ý), during the 91��ý Midwinter Meeting held Jan. 24 - 28, in Philadelphia.

“Distinguished author and illustrator Brian Selznick has won several children’s literature awards, most notably for “The Invention of Hugo Cabret,” which created a new genre in children’s literature. His Caldecott acceptance speech was one of the most memorable ever presented,” stated 2015 Arbuthnot Committee Chair Sue McCleaf Nespeca.

Born and raised in New Jersey, Selznick cannot remember a time when he was not drawing and making things. He graduated from Rhode Island School of Design intending to be a set designer for the theater, but a stint at Eeyore's children's bookstore in New York City changed his mind and his first book was published while working there. He left to pursue a full-time career in children's book illustration but still designs theater sets and is a professional puppeteer. Among his award-winning work are illustrations for two Sibert Honor Books and a Caldecott Honor Book. His groundbreaking “The Invention of Hugo Cabret” was awarded the 2008 Caldecott Medal.

The lecturer, announced annually at the 91��ý Midwinter Meeting, may be an author, critic, librarian, historian or teacher of children’s literature, of any country, who shall prepare a paper considered to be a significant contribution to the field of children’s literature. This paper is delivered as a lecture each April, and is subsequently published in Children and Libraries, the journal of ALSC. Once the name is made public, institutions wishing to host the lecture may apply. A library school, department of education in a college or university, or a public library system may be considered. Applications to host the 2015 lecture will be available online from ALSC at this spring.

Members of the 2015 Arbuthnot Honor Lecture Committee are: Chair Sue McCleaf Nespeca, Kid Lit Plus Consulting, Gettysburg, Pa.; Marybeth Kozikowski, Sachem Public Library, Holbrook, N.Y.; Daniel L. Meyer, Queens Borough Public Library, Kew Gardens Hills, N.Y.; Bina Williams, Bridgeport (Conn.) Public Library; and Gail Zachariah, Keene (N.H.) Public Library.

ALSC is the world’s largest organization dedicated to the support and enhancement of library service to children. With a network of more than 4,000 children’s and youth librarians, literature experts, publishers and educational faculty, ALSC is committed to creating a better future for children through libraries. To learn more about ALSC, visit their website at .

For more information on the Arbuthnot Honor Lecture and other 91��ý Youth Media Awards, please visit .

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