American Library Association selects Santa Monica Public Library staff members for 2025 award committees

American Library Association selects Santa Monica Public Library staff members for 2025 award committees

January 23, 2025 8:34 AM
by Cecile Oreste

Santa Monica Public Library Youth Services Librarian Ingha Chopra and Teen Services Librarian Gia Ruiz-Forsyth have been selected for roles on the American Library Association, or ALA, award selection committees. Chopra is one of 15 members on the 2025 John Newbery Award Selection Committee, while Ruiz-Forsyth is one of nine members on the 2025 Michael L. Printz Award Selection Committee.

"We are incredibly proud of Ingha and Gia for being selected to serve on these prestigious committees," said Santa Monica Public Library Director Erica Cuyugan. "Their expertise and dedication to youth and teen literature are a testament to the exceptional caliber of our staff. This recognition not only highlights their individual talents but also reflects the library's commitment to fostering a love of reading in our community."

The John Newbery Medal, awarded annually since 1922, honors the most distinguished American children's book published the previous year. The award, named after 18th-century English bookseller John Newbery, was proposed to highlight the value of children's literature and recognize its creative contributions alongside poetry, plays and novels.

"Being selected for the Newbery Committee is an incredible honor," said Chopra. "It has been exciting to dive into the exceptional stories being created for children and help recognize works that will leave a lasting impact on young readers."

The Newbery Award was the first children's book award in the world and has become the most well-known accolade in the field. Chopra will work with fellow committee members to evaluate books based on their literary excellence and contributions to the field.

Ruiz-Forsyth will help select the winner of the Michael L. Printz Award, which recognizes the best book written for teens based on literary merit. Named after Michael L. Printz, a Kansas school librarian with a passion for young adult literature, the award celebrates outstanding contributions to the genre. Up to four Honor Books may also be recognized.

"It's an incredible opportunity to spotlight works that resonate deeply with teen readers," said Ruiz-Forsyth. "The Printz Award represents the highest standard in young adult literature, and I'm thrilled to have been part of this process."

ALA's Youth Media Awards, which include the Newbery and Printz awards, are internationally recognized for their role in guiding parents, educators and librarians in selecting quality materials for young readers. Committees composed of librarians and literature experts review submissions to ensure that awards reflect original and creative work in children's and young adult literature.

The 2025 Youth Media Awards will be announced on Monday, Jan. 27, during LibLearnX: The Library Learning Experience. This event highlights excellence in literature and media for youth, celebrating the authors, illustrators and creators who inspire and educate the next generation.

For more information about the Santa Monica Public Library, please visit smpl.org.

Authored By

Cecile Oreste
Communications and Marketing Coordinator

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