Congratulations to Dr. Libby Limbrick, MNZM, Ph.D., who has just been announced as 2022 winner of the Storylines Betty Gilderdale Award for services to New Zealand children’s literature.
Libby, immediate past-chair of the Storylines Trust, a trustee of Duffy Books in Homes, and a distinguished academic, has worked tirelessly for decades to support reading, literacy and New Zealand writers and illustrators.
Libby will receive her award and present the Storylines Spring Lecture at National Library in Auckland on Sunday 6 November, alongside presentation of 2022 Storylines Notable Book Awards, from 1.00pm – 4.00pm.
Aucklander Dr Libby Limbrick has been announced as the winner of the Storylines Betty Gilderdale Award for outstanding service to children’s and young adult literature.
“The Storylines Children’s Literature Trust gives this $2000 award annually in honour of the late Betty Gilderdale to acknowledge exceptional service to New Zealand children’s literature,” says Trust chair Christine Young.
“For more than three decades, Dr Limbrick has been a tireless advocate for children’s reading and literature, supporting local children’s authors, publishers, as a classroom teacher, author, academic and volunteer, including accompanying writers and illustrators as part of the Storylines Story Tours.
“She had a distinguished academic career at University of Auckland from 1993 to 2015, building up an international reputation in the field of literacy education.
“In addition, Dr Limbrick has worked over many decades for several organisations connected to children’s literature.
“She was a founding member and chair of the Storylines Trust, and long-time chair of the Trust’s management committee. She was instrumental in Storylines hosting in Auckland the World Congress of the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY, the only global Organisation working for children’s books and literature).
“She was not only a driver of the bid for New Zealand to be the host nation, but was co-director of the event and the primary fundraiser of the considerable costs required. The event attracted 450 delegates from all over the world and was regarded by IBBY as an outstanding success.
Her outstanding service to the children’s and young adult literature community in this country, not only Storylines but also as Trustee of Duffy Books in Homes, and her influence on others in the sector cannot be underestimated.”
Previous winners of the Storylines Betty Gilderdale Award include administrators/book critics and editors Sarah Forster and Crissi Blair, author Lorraine Orman, librarians Jennie Skinner and Rosemary Tisdall, and literary agents Frances Plumpton and the late Ray Richards.
The Storylines Betty Gilderdale Award honours the late Betty Gilderdale, a lifelong advocate and supporter of children’s literature, through her academic research, work as a reviewer, and 30 years’ committee service to Auckland’s Children’s Literature Association. Prior to 2000, the award was known as the Children’s Literature Association’s Award for Services to Children’s Literature.
Read more about Betty’s work for children’s literature in a tribute given by Storylines Trustee Rosemary Tisdall at a memorial service for Betty after her death in July 2021.
The award is given annually for outstanding service to children’s literature and literacy and carries a monetary prize of $2000. The recipient delivers a 40-minute address, known as the Storylines Spring Lecture, as part of the award presentation, usually in November.
Nominations can be for distinguished service either at a regional or national level. Nominations are sought from the public and selection from those nominated is made by a panel selected by Storylines.
Storylines Betty Gilderdale Award 2022 awarded to Auckland academic Dr Libby Limbrick, MNZM
