Young Authors Conference, by Leslie Prechtel, Head Librarian

Young Authors Conference is a marvelous event that began 27 years ago at Collegiate. Over the years, students from Kindergarten through Fourth grade have met numerous authors of children’s books, including Thatcher Hurd, Steven Kellogg, Ruth Heller, John Erickson, as well as Bill and Carol Wallace, to name a few. The teachers and librarians spend months preparing the students to meet the author. Each student creates his own book because in order to attend Young Authors Conference you must be an author yourself. On the day of the conference, students spend the morning listening to the author talk about the process of writing and publishing. In the afternoon students participate in five different activities that relate to the author’s books. These activities include a reception where they meet with the author to have their book signed, a craft project, and some kind of activity in the gym. Each year the Friends of the Library volunteers help ensure that all of the afternoon’s activities run smoothly.