News Release

2000-15

Canadian Children’s Literature Service Appointment

Ottawa, October 16, 2000  --  The National Library of Canada is pleased to welcome Josiane Polidori to the position of head, Canadian Children’s Literature Service, a part of the Library’s Canadian Literature Research Service. Josiane Polidori has worked in the field of literature and publishing for more than 18 years. Starting in 1989, she was Writing and Publishing Officer with the Canada Council for the Arts. She was responsible for the Governor General’s Literary Awards as well as the Canada-Japan, Canada-Switzerland and Canada-Communauté française de Belgique international awards. Ms. Polidori also administered the literary and art magazine program, the National Book Festival and the international translation program at the Canada Council for the Arts.

Along with her knowledge of Canadian literature and children’s literature in particular, she brings to the position her Canadian literary community experience in planning literary events and in coordinating publicity campaigns. Having begun her career as a publicist in a publishing house, Josiane Polidori continues to enjoy sharing her love of literature and of its creators.

Her role in the Canadian Children’s Literature Service will be to develop, expand and promote the National Library of Canada’s children’s literature collection. "Canadian children’s literature has reached, in French and in English, a level of maturity that is recognized the world over," explains Josiane Polidori. "Canadian authors and illustrators are high-calibre creators who have won international awards. Moreover, the National Library of Canada’s Canadian Children’s Literature Service has created the Read Up On It reading kit as part of a project that helps publicize and promote children’s books."

Ms. Polidori intends to devote her energies and knowledge to creating links between the creators, publishers, librarians, educators, researchers and young readers so that the Canadian Children’s Literature Service can act as an intermediary between adults and children. Read Up On It is available on the National Library of Canada Web site at: <www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/read-up-on-it/index-e.html>.

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Information:

Josiane Polidori, Head, Canadian Children’s Literature Service
Telephone: 613-996-7774
Fax: 613-943-1112
E-mail: josiane.polidori@lac-bac.gc.ca