PRESS RELEASE                                                                                    24.5.10

IBBY Australia to be independent

IBBY Australia has a newly independent status. IBBY, the International Board on Books for Young People, is a non-profit organisation which helps to build bridges to international understanding through children’s books.

Australia’s national section of IBBY was founded more than forty years ago, and has been a group of ALIA (Australian Library and Information Association), benefitting from ALIA’s generous support. But the present office-bearers of IBBY Australia believe it is time for IBBY to fly the nest. IBBY national sections are encouraged to have a representative membership from all areas of children’s literature, including librarians and teacher-librarians, writers and illustrators, editors and publishers, booksellers, storytellers, teachers, academics and critics, parents and grandparents and other enthusiasts.

Office-bearers are Dr Robin Morrow, president; Jenni Woodroffe, vice president/secretary; and Karen Jameyson, treasurer.

IBBY is defined by its global vision. IBBY Australia aims to showcase Australian books to the world and enable readers here to access the best books from other countries. IBBY Australia is the only body that can nominate writers and illustrators for the prestigious Hans Christian Andersen awards, and books for the IBBY Honour list. A biennial Australian award is given in honour of its founding president, Ena Noël, OAM.

Individuals and organisations are encouraged to become members of IBBY Australia and help it  thrive and grow.

The new website is http://ibbyaustralia.wordpress.com. The kookaburra on the logo is the work of illustrator Louise Pfanner.

Contact: Robin Morrow at robin.morrow@wordsandphrases.com.au or Jenni Woodroffe at jennij@iinet.net.au.

IBBY Australia newsletters

Issue 6, August 2010: click here to download pdf

Issue 5, May 2010: click here to download pdf

Issue 4, February 2010: click here to download pdf

Issue 3, November 2009: click here to download pdf

Issue 2, July 2009: click here to download pdf

Issue 1, March 2009: click here to download pdf