Fay B. Kaigler Children’s Book Festival
The 53rd Annual Fay B. Kaigler Children’s Book Festival will take place on April 1-3, 2020, at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. At the festival, we will celebrate the 2020 Southern Miss Medallion winner Rita Willams-Garcia and listen to additional keynotes by Matthew Cordell, Michael Fry, Sonia Manzano, Megan McDonald, Daniel Jose Older, Jason Reynolds, and Ezra Jack Keats lecturer Randy Testa.
The mission of the Fay B. Kaigler Children’s Book Festival is to recognize excellence in the field of children’s literature and to provide librarians, teachers, researchers, and community members the opportunity to learn about and appreciate children’s literature through presentations, workshops, and personal interactions with people of significance in the field.
About the Ambassadors Program
The Ambassadors Program provides free registration to the three-day event and shared housing in exchange for volunteer service at the festival. Meals and travel expenses are not included. Prior to the festival, Ambassadors write speaker bios for the program and keynote introductions. At the festival, Ambassadors are expected to be in attendance for all Book Festival events and are asked to do various duties throughout the festival, including but not limited to: taking head counts, handing out evaluations, helping with speaker setup and event cleanup, collecting lunch tickets, and other duties as they arise. Ambassadors are expected to be courteous and professional at all times. The dress code is business casual.
What’s it like to be an Ambassador?
Check out 2013 Ambassador Amy Musser’s guest blog post for ALSC about her experience. Amy is the Children’s Librarian at Central Library – Denver Public Library.
Purpose:
The purpose of the Ambassadors Program is to increase national awareness and appreciation of the Fay B. Kaigler Children’s Book Festival by inspiring and involving graduate students in children’s literature and/or library services to children. Successful applicants will have the opportunity to meet and work with people of significance in the field of children’s literature, hear speakers, and attend workshops relevant to the field. The program will also provide the Book Festival with a mature, reliable volunteer workforce who can become staunch supporters of the CBF as they progress in their careers.
Qualifications
Applicants must be currently enrolled in an MLS or MLIS program or be an active PhD candidate in children’s literature or library and information science. They should have demonstrated experience in or knowledge of children’s literature and/or library services to children. Completed class work can be considered in lieu of work experience.
Due Date
December 6, 2019
To apply
Please submit your resume and an approximately 500-word statement of interest telling us why you want to attend the Fay B. Kaigler Children’s Book Festival and why you would make a good Ambassador, along with the names and email addresses of three references via the Kaigler Ambassador Online Application. Questions about the Festival Ambassador Program? Please email: Ramona Caponegro.