March 20, 2006
Expert in children’s literature to discuss the role of libraries
Lynne McKechnie, the first Visiting Cleary Professor in Children and Youth Services at the University of Washington’s Information School, will deliver her first UW lecture April 11 on the role of public libraries in the development of children as readers.
The lecture, which will be given in honor of author Beverly Cleary’s 90th birthday, is at 7 p.m. in the Cascade Room of Haggett Hall. It is sponsored by HarperCollins, publishers of Beverly Cleary’s books, as part of Drop Everything And Read (DEAR) Day.
The Cleary professorship is believed to be the first endowed position in children’s libraries and children’s literature in the world. It is named for Beverly Cleary, one of the most popular writers for children in the 20th century, whose works include the Ramona series, Henry Huggins and a series of youth fantasy novels. Cleary is a 1939 graduate of the UW Information School’s Library and Information Science program.
McKechnie is currently associate professor in information and media studies at the University of Western Ontario (Canada). She was a children’s librarian for 20 years before joining the academy. Dean Emeritus Michael Eisenberg of the UW Information School described McKechnie as a “dynamo [who is] a wonderful and highly knowledgeable teacher in the children’s and youth arena, an experienced children’s and youth public librarian, a strong advocate for services to children and youth, a very active and respected researcher in children’s reading behavior and development and a leader in major organizations.”
The event is free. Online registration is available at: https://ealumni.washington.edu/events/EventView.asp?ID=264&Private=N, or call the UW Alumni Association at 206-543-0540. The event is cosponsored by the UW Information School and the UW Alumni Association.
