Notable Children's Recordings submission process

How to submit recordings for consideration for the Notable Children's Recording List:

• The committee is only considering recordings released between November 1, 2023 – October 31, 2024.
• Review the terms and criteria (see below).
• Please complete the Information Verification Submission Form for each entry.
• Mail one copy of the recording and a completed form to the committee chair. Address information can be found on the Information Verification Form confirmation page after submitting form.
• ALSC membership is not a requirement to submit your work and there is not an entry fee for the Notable Children’s Recordings.

Please note:

The ALSC office requests one copy be sent to the committee chair. Standards are in place for the committee members to review and share submissions. If you are submitting for multiple awards, only one copy needs to be sent to the ALSC office.

Neither the ALSC office nor the committee chair can confirm receipt of submissions. If you would like to confirm delivery receipt of your submission please use a tracking number for your package. Submissions that are dropped off in-person to the ALSC office will not be accepted.

The ALSC office cannot answer eligibility questions or advise on which award or committee your submission is eligible for. It is up to you to review the terms and criteria and if you feel you qualify, submit as appropriate. Eligibility is determined by the committee and is confidential.

Deadline for submitting works is October 31, 2024.

The final list will be announced following the American Library Association's LibLearnX event, usually held in late January. The list will be posted to the ALSC website.

FAQs about ALSC’s Book & Media Awards Program

Terms and criteria

 Terms

1. The Notable Recordings List is developed annually from recordings for children released in the United States during the preceding year. There are no limitations as to the number of titles nor the type of recordings included on the list.
2. The committee, in its deliberations, is to consider only the recordings eligible for the List which:
3. 1. were released in the year preceding the Midwinter meeting during which the selections are made.
   2. are currently available through a U. S. distributor
   3. are available on audiotape, compact disc, and/or as a digital file available to libraries and the public
   4. are produced in English. This requirement does not limit the use of words or phrases in another language where appropriate in context.

Definitions

1. “Respects young people’s intelligence and imagination” indicates either the lyrics of music or the text of an audiobook. This also indicates that recordings to be considered are those for which children are a potential audience.  The recording exhibits respect for young people’s understandings, abilities, and appreciations. 
   Children are defined as persons of ages up to and including fourteen and recordings for this entire age range are to be considered.
2. “Exhibits venturesome creativity” shall be recordings which provide an auditory experience that is appealing to children and that goes beyond the ordinary.
3. The committee shall consider all forms of recordings – music, storytelling, informational, audiobook, book and recording combinations.  Reissues of previously recorded works are not eligible.
4. “Released in the year preceding” means that the recording was released to the public in that year, was available for purchase in that year, and has a copyright date no later than that year.

Criteria

Recordings are evaluated on the following criteria:

1. respects young people's intelligence and imagination
2. exhibits venturesome creativity
3. in exemplary ways reflects and encourages the natural interest of children and young adolescents
4. depicts excellence through the effective use of voices, music, sound effects, and language
5. maintains high standards in aesthetic and technical aspects
6. adapted materials remain true to, expand, or complement the original work