Tag Archive for: Joplin Public Library

2025 Youth Media Awards Winners

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2025 Youth Media Awards Winners

by SLJ Staff

2025 Youth Media Award Winners

John Newbery Medal
Honors author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children.

The First State of Being by Erin Entrada Kelly

 

Randolph Caldecott Medal
Awarded to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children.

Chooch Helped illus. by Rebecca Lee Kunz, written by Andrea L. Rogers

 

Theodor Seuss Geisel Award
Honors to the author(s) and illustrator(s) of the most distinguished American book for beginning readers published in English in the United States.

Vacation by Ame Dyckman, illus. by Mark Teague

 

Children’s Literature Legacy Award
Honors an author or illustrator whose books, published in the United States, have made, over a period of years, a substantial and lasting contribution to literature for children through books that demonstrate integrity and respect for all children’s lives and experiences. 

Carole Boston Weatherford

 

Excellence in Early Learning Digital Media
Given to a digital media producer that has created distinguished digital media for an early learning audience.

Carl the Collector, produced by Fuzzytown Productions and Spiffy Pictures for PBS Kids

 

Robert F. Sibert Medal

Awarded to the author(s) and illustrator(s) of the most distinguished informational book published in the United States in English.

Life After Whale: The Amazing Ecosystem of a Whale Fall by Lynn Brunelle, illus. by Jason Chin

 

Mildred L. Batchelder Award
Citation awarded to an American publisher for a children’s book considered to be the most outstanding of those books originally published in a foreign language in a foreign country, and subsequently translated into English and published in the United States. 

John the Skeleton, published by Yonder, an imprint of Restless Books for Young Readers, written by Triinu Laan, illus. by Marja-Liisa Plats, translated by Adam Cullen

 

ALSC Children’s Literature Lecture Award
Given to 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. 
Cynthia Leitich Smith

 

Pura Belpré Awards
Presented to a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth. 

Illustration
The Dream Catcher, illustrated and written by Marcelo Verdad

Children’s Author
Lola by Karla Arenas Valenti

Young Adult Author
Shut Up, This Is Serious by Carolina Ixta

 

Michael L. Printz Award
Presented to a book that exemplifies literary excellence in young adult literature.

Brownstone by Samuel Teer, illus. by Mar Julia
Odyssey Award
Given to the producer of the best audiobook produced for children and/or young adults, available in English in the United States.

Children’s (0-14) Award
A Place of Hope: The Inspiring Story of Chef José Andrés and World Central Kitchen, produced by Andy T. Jones for Dreamscape Audio, written by Erin Frankel, illus. by Paola Escobar

Young Adult (12-18) Award
How the Boogeyman Became a Poet, produced by Abigail Marks for HarperAudio, written by Tony Keith Jr., narrated by Tony Keith Jr.

 

YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults
Honors the best nonfiction book published for young adults (ages 12-18) during a Nov. 1 – Oct. 31 publishing year.

Rising from the Ashes: Los Angeles, 1992. Edward Jae Song Lee, Latasha Harlins, Rodney King, and a City on Fire by Paula Yoo

 

William C. Morris Award
Honors a debut book published by a first-time author writing for teens. 

Not Like Other Girls by Meredith Adamo

Margaret A. Edwards Award
Honors an author, as well as a specific body of his or her work, for significant and lasting contribution to young adult literature

Tiffany D. Jackson

Alex Awards
Books written for adults that have special appeal to young adults, ages 12 through 18

Beautiful People: My Thirteen Truths About Disability by Melissa Blake
Big Jim and the White Boy: An American Classic Reimagined by David F. Walker
Daughters of Shandong by Eve J. Chung
Dead Cat Tail Assassins by P. Djeli Clark
How to Solve Your Own Murder: A Novel by Kristen Perrin
I Feel Awful, Thanks by Lara Pickle
I Was a Teenage Slasher by Stephen Graham Jones
The Witch of Colchis by Rosie Hewlett
The Witchstone by Henry H. Neff
Woman, Life, Freedom by Marjane Satrapi

Coretta Scott King Book Awards
Recognize outstanding African American authors and illustrators of books for children and young adults that demonstrate an appreciation of African American culture and universal human values. 

Coretta Scott King-Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement
Carolyn L. Garnes

Coretta Scott King Author Award
Jason Reynolds for Twenty-four Seconds from Now…

Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award
C.G. Esperanza for My Daddy is a Cowboy, written by Stephanie Seales

Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Author Award
Craig Kofi Farmer for Kwame Crashes the Underworld 

Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Illustrator Award
Jamiel Law for Jimmy’s Rhythm & Blues: The Extraordinary Life of James Baldwin 

 

Stonewall Book Awards
Given to English-language works of exceptional merit for children or teens relating to the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender experience. 

Children’s Literature
Lunar Boy by Jes and Cin Wibowo

Young Adult Literature
Canto Contigo by Jonny Garza Villa
Schneider Family Book Awards
Honors an author or illustrator for a book that embodies an artistic expression of the disability experience for child and adolescent audiences. 

Younger Children
A Little Like Magic by Sarah Kurpiel

Middle Grade
Popcorn by Rob Harrell

Young Adult
Chronically Dolores by Maya Van Wagenen

 

Sydney Taylor Book Awards
Recognizes titles for children and teens that exemplify high literary standards while authentically portraying the Jewish experience.

Picture Book
An Etrog from Across the Sea by Deborah Bodin Cohen and Kerry Olitzky, illus. by Stacey Dressen McQueen

Middle Grade
The Girl Who Sang: A Holocaust Memoir of Hope and Survival by Estelle Nadel and Sammy Savos with Bethany Strout

Young Adult
Night Owls by A.R. Vishny

 

Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature
Honors and recognizes individual works by Asian/Pacific American authors that highlight Asian/Pacific American cultures and experiences. 

Picture Book 
Aloha Everything by Kaylin Melia George, illus. by Mae Waite

Children’s Literature
Continental Drifter by Kathy MacLeod

Young Adult Literature 
Everything We Never Had by Randy Ribay

The American Indian Youth Awards are presented biennially. The next winners will be announced in January 2026.

NEW: Play Touch Table

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Joplin Public Library is excited to add a new Play Touch Table in the Rosemary Titus Reynolds Children’s Library, thanks to a recently awarded Bramlage & Willcoxon Foundation Grant. The new Play Touch Table features games encouraging eye-hand coordination, brain development, and teamwork.  

Because of the grant award, the Library was able to purchase the state-of-the-art, interactive, 32’ Play Touch Table, along with 13 games. Many of the games are educational, such as Words’Touch, which helps children practice spelling, organization, and gain confidence in their vocabulary.  Some of the games are multiplayer, which allows children to connect with other kids in the Library and foster a sense of community.

“It’s important to have a variety of resources available to our patrons, from books, toys, and electronic items, like the new Play Touch Table,” said Christina Matekel-Gibson, Youth Services Librarian.  “Having a fun, free, inviting space tailored to children is part of welcoming kids into the library and ensuring the next generation has an appreciation for learning and community.” 

The Bramlage and Willcoxon Foundation mission of “improving the lives of the people and communities it touches by focusing on health, education, and children” is in direct alignment with the Play Touch Table addition to the Children’s Library. Joplin Public Library is thankful for the award and the opportunity to enrich and improve the lives of our youngest patrons by providing access to unique educational and entertaining resources.  

What’s Up with hoopla?

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Coming Soon: Summer Reading 2024

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Congratulations to JPL Staff!

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Joplin Public Library (JPL) was recently announced as the winner of multiple Missouri Library Association’s Awards and a Grant at the 2023 Awards Gala held in Columbia, Missouri.  The Missouri Library Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational organization operating to promote library service, the profession of librarianship, and cooperation among all types of libraries and organizations concerned with library service in the State of Missouri.

Beth Snow, JPL Teen Services Librarian, was awarded the Community Partnership Award, alongside Lisa Nelson from Landmark Builds, for their Iconic Joplin collaboration. This award recognizes a Missouri library and one or more community organizations for developing a partnership that benefits members of their shared community. As part of Joplin’s 150 year birthday celebration, Iconic Joplin engaged youth ages 12 to 16 in local history by building landmarks out of LEGO elements.

Snow was also awarded the Show Me Youth Services Award, which recognizes a library employee, Friend, or Trustee who serves as and/or advocates for children or young adults and who demonstrates notable and outstanding performance in planning, developing, and promoting programs, services, collections, reading activities or advocating for children and/or teenagers in their libraries and communities.  Snow has worked as the Teen Services Librarian at the Library since 2015. In addition to being an advocate for the teens in her community, she works to foster a space where all teens can be who they are.

Carolyn Trout, retired JPL Director, received the Meritorious Achievement Award, which recognizes an individual who has made a significant contribution to

Beth Snow (Teen Librarian), Lisa Nelson (Landmark Builds), Carolyn Trout (former JPL Director), Jeana Gockley (JPL Director, on behalf of Justin Kelly)

libraries in Missouri. A recipient must be either an individual outside of the library profession or a retired librarian. Nominees must reside in Missouri and should have made either a contribution to libraries that gained recognition beyond the local level or have made an innovative contribution in the decisive factors in library development. During her time as JPL Director, from 1988 until 2006, Trout was a part of some very important projects for Missouri libraries. She served on a committee that created the first standards Missouri ever had for public libraries; she was instrumental in her work with the Missouri State Library on a program created to train non-library degreed public library staff; she was a connector of information and people using her passion for reference and history to introduce many to libraries; and library advocacy was important to Trout, and it is still something she is doing in retirement.

Justin Kelly, JPL Systems Administrator, was awarded a $3,000 Access and Innovation Grant, which aims to enhance, support, and develop library technologies and innovation that improve patrons’ access to library services.  The grant will be used to upgrade internal wireless access points to offer WiFi6e protocol to accommodate more users at higher internet speeds.  This is part of an ongoing effort to keep in step with national “broadband” standards. It will also bring a higher level of wireless security, along with new network monitoring tools.

“We are honored to be recognized by the Missouri Library Association for our efforts in patron services, community collaboration, and a commitment to ongoing improvement,” said Joplin Public Library Director Jeana Gockley. “Our staff is our greatest resource and these awards shine a light on the talent, dedication, and excellence present in this community’s local library.”

Lucky Day Collection

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In partnership with Friends of the Joplin Public Library, JPL recently launched our Lucky Day Collection!  The Lucky Day Collection is a collection of highly popular books that are available for immediate check-out, even if there are multiple holds on the title in our regular collection.  Titles are first-come, first-served, and available on top of the New Fiction section in the Circulation Lobby.  Patrons may check out up to two titles at a time for two weeks.

How do we determine what gets added to the Lucky Day Collection?  We run regular reports to identify books that have waiting lists—then we buy extra copies (whether for Lucky Day or the regular collection).  The collection launched with 24 titles and is now up to 26, with a total of 72 books being circulated.  Patrons have been very excited about the new collection, so come in today to see if it’s your “Lucky Day”!

Get to know JPL’s Book Reviewers

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NEW Virtual Tour

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Have you ever been unsure of where to go as you entered the library?  Are you using the same resources over and over because you don’t know what else we may have to offer?  Our NEW virtual tour is for YOU!  We hope this tour will allow you to find your way in the library, and encourage you to learn more about all the amazing community resources we provide!

Free Lunch for all kids!

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Joplin Schools and Joplin Public Library want to make sure that NO CHILD experiences food insecurity this Summer.
Every weekday from now until August 13, Joplin Nutritional Services Department will be in the entrance of Joplin Public Library at 1901 E. 20th Street in Joplin to hand out free sack lunches to any child (under the age of 18)!
There is no requirement for the child to attend Joplin Public Schools. Meals will be first come, first served promptly at 11 am (not before). Children must be present to receive this service.
Meals may also be eaten inside the Library or in our lovely outdoor spaces. Come soon and enjoy Library services and the convenience of a free lunch from Joplin Schools!

Summer Reading Art Challenge

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It’s time for the Post Art Library Summer Reading Art Challenge (SRAC)! This year, the theme for summer reading is Tails & Tales. In keeping with that theme, the prompt for SRAC 2021 is:

“Tell Your Tale with Art! What’s the story of you?!”

You may pick up your artboard and entry form from any public service desk within the library. Entries will be accepted for three categories: Adult (ages 18+), Teen (entering 6th-12th grades), and Kids (birth-5th grade). Entries must be returned to any public service desk within the library by 5pm on Sunday, July 31, 2021.

All SRAC 2021 entries will be exhibited in the Genealogy, Local History, and Post Reading Room wing inside the library from August 14-September 25, 2021. People’s Choice ballots for each category will be collected in the library during the exhibit. People’s Choice winners will be announced on October 1, 2021 and those winners will receive a prize when they pick up their artwork.

Participation is FREE and open to the public. A library card is NOT necessary. SRAC is an annual art challenge and show meant to encourage exploration of the visual arts through creating art based on Missouri’s state-wide theme for summer reading. For more information, contact Jill at 417-623-7953 x1041.