Lois Rout wins the Betty Bilderdale Award, 2008.

Lois was a founding member of Bookrapt in 1983, is still an active member today, and was awarded Life Membership in 2004. As Jean Bennett says, "Lois is a wonderful ambassador for New Zealand children’s literature. She has been committed to the promotion of children’s books for many years as a teacher, librarian, and Bookrapt member. As a librarian for Tauranga Public Library and Mount Maunganui Intermediate School, Lois inspired countless young people with a love of reading books by New Zealand authors."

Jean goes on to say that, "It is Lois’s contribution to Bookrapt that is outstanding. She has held office for most of the last 25 years as either secretary or treasurer, sometimes both at once. She has been the driving force behind Bookrapt’s popular annual seminars, has been the contact person for the young writers’ workshops, and has fielded inquiries from people, recorded enrolments, applied for funding, and attended to a myriad of duties associated with Bookrapt. Lois has been responsible for organising and setting up library displays, promoting literature, overseeing the development and preservation of the Joyce West Collection in the Tauranga Library, and has supported nearly every event associated with Children’s Literature that has taken place in Tauranga over the last 25 years."

An indication of the amount of respect Lois has within the industry can be gained by acknowledging the calibre of those who nominated her for the award, including accomplished local authors such as Jean Bennett and Phyllis Johnston (both of whom have received the Award in previous years), Angie Belcher, Sherryl Jordan, Elsie Jones, and Jenny Giles, and Tauranga librarians Judy Sail and Lee Rowe.

Lois’s dedication to her work was none more apparent than during this year’s seminar. Unable to attend owing to a recuperation period from a recent operation, Lois was nonetheless propped up in her hospital bed prior to the seminar stuffing mailers in envelopes, and organising everything by phone.

Iris Stockwell states, "Lois over the years has been the one of the backbones of Bookrapt. Her love of the written word has been passed on to many. She has worked faithfully over the years doing everything to promote children's literature including chasing sponsorship, something most of us steer clear of doing. Her input for the young writers workshops and the seminar has been amazing."

Although the Storylines Betty Gilderdale Award can be won by teachers, booksellers, librarians, or authors, because of their public exposure it is more commonly awarded to published authors. Not only is this year’s Award an acknowledgement of Lois’s achievements as an individual, it is also an acknowledgement of the importance of those who work tirelessly behind the scenes in promoting children’s literature.

Good afternoon.

Thank you Helen (Beckingsale), and thank you to Storylines for this honour you have bestowed on me.

Thank you all for joining me on this special day. I really appreciate that some of you have made a special effort to interrupt your holiday programme and to travel distance to be here. It's a great opportunity to catch up with friends and family, so make the most of it!

I was appalled when I heard that I was expected to give a lecture of about thirty minutes! Relax! I won't be. I'm reminded of the wedding speech of one of my sons. He opened his remarks by saying,” A few months ago at my brother's wedding we were entertained by his speech. He is a teacher, and spoke to us as if we were his pupils. I am a farmer but I don't think I had better speak to you as I speak to my cows!”

I feel as Nick did. There is no way I would consider giving a lecture to you when most of you are talented writers and librarians and far more skilled in all aspects of children's literature than I. What I will do is to take you on an anecdotal meandering to show how I have reached this milestone in my life.

I hope I don't lose my way!

Although my childhood was lacking in material things, I was always encouraged by my mother, who was determined that I would have a better education than she had. Following the Second World War the availability of children's books was somewhat sparse, but reading was an important part of life, and I remember that I was always given books for birthdays and Christmas. I can particularly recall one Christmas when I was given Arthur Ransome's “Swallows and Amazons”. Dare I say - Enid Blyton's “Famous Five” were consumed with great relish.

My parents separated when I was 9 and my mother and I moved to Wellington to live with my grandparents. I was able to join the library at Khandallah and I remember spending lots of time there. I even helped the librarian by mending books. In those days there was no such thing as invisible mending tape so we used strips of paper and glue! Who knows, perhaps this early contact with libraries sowed the seed for later life!

Having been a teacher before my marriage I have always enjoyed and valued books. I loved reading aloud and once my sons came on the scene I had a captive audience! My grandchildren will tell you that they suffered the same fate. It was mandatory for them to come to my bed in the mornings when we were together and bring arms full of books to be read. They also always knew what to expect as birthday presents from me.

Over the years there have been many folk who have helped to nurture my literary interests. When I started work as a teacher aide way back in the ‘70's I was encouraged to read children's books as opposed to adult books, and this habit has continued. Even now I will happily read young people's fiction instead of books written for adults. I have found that children are more likely to listen to book recommendations if they know you have actually read the book. I have been fortunate to work with teachers who were enthusiastic about reading, and this was a great incentive to me. The School Library Service in Hamilton, and Lois Luke in particular, helped me greatly as my position changed to that of a library assistant when the school received a freestanding library. What fun I had buying new books to supplement our meager stock. It was a learning curve, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

When the Tauranga Library needed a new Mobile Librarian I was fortunate in securing this position. In those days the mobile library comprised an ancient Bedford van, which towed a smallish caravan. –called the Seuss Hoose. That was another learning curve – trying to back a caravan!! I had some anxious moments!! Both the van and the caravan were fitted out with shelves and we supplemented the books with cartons, particularly for the children. These were placed on the grass at the side of the road beside the parked vehicles – not the best in the rain!!

When Tauranga City Council participated in the Orange Festival Parade (which was held each spring) we joined the parade. I was dressed as ‘The Cat in the Hat', and ‘Paddington Bear' joined me. Coping with a long tail and the tall hat was quite tricky while driving!

Much to my delight the library purchased a truck some time later, which was fitted out like a small library, and this had many advantages. But before it could be used the terrifying prospect of a heavy traffic licence test had to be overcome! Much to my relief this was achieved and I became a “Truckie”. Among my library colleagues was a another truckie and I can remember a particularly testing incident that occurred when we were driving along Cameron Road (one of the busiest roads in Tauranga) The truck ahead of us was laden with cartons, and suddenly one fell onto the road in front of us. The truck driver carried on, unaware of his loss. When we realized that the carton contained casks of white wine we were sorely tempted to stop and pick it up. However, we remembered our responsibilities to the powers that be, and with great restraint we drove on!

As well as working on the Mobile Library I helped out in the children's section of the Tauranga Library, and was very fortunate to work with Isabel Weenink at this time. What a great mine of information about children's books she was! Once again I was encouraged, and there began a friendship, which has continued for over 30 years.

When the time came to move on I was lucky to obtain a position as Library Assistant at Mount Maunganui Intermediate School. Once again I was fortunate in working with an enthusiastic teacher, from whom I learned a great deal. The library was a vital part of the school and I was able to incorporate many activities into our programmes. We enjoyed visits from Margaret Mahy and Ron Bacon, and these were highlights for the children.

During this time the Bay of Plenty Children's Literature Association was formed and under our President, Phyllis Johnston we were egged on to “foster and support good literature for children in the Bay of Plenty.” What an enthusiastic bunch we were – of course we were much younger then, but I would like to think the enthusiasm is still there, and we have gone from strength to strength. Our first seminar was held in 1984 and these have continued every year since. What a wonderful opportunity they are for like-minded people to get together. Writers, librarians, teachers, parents and grandparents enjoy a stimulating day listening to varied speakers from the world of children's literature. I venture to suggest that just as valuable was the time of morning tea and lunch when folk could share with one another and be further inspired.

Often we would go to functions further a field , in Waikato or Auckland and these occasions were always a great source of inspiration. At one time I was particularly enjoying reading Joan Aiken's historical fantasies (The Wolves of Willoughby Chase, Night Birds on Nantucket etc) Imagine my delight when a gathering was organized in Hamilton to hear and meet Joan Aiken. This was the first of many such events, and so started the gathering of books signed by the author to give my grandchildren. I don't know that they were always as appreciated by the youngsters as they were by me, but I felt it was a further encouragement for them.

Another memorable event was a visit to Hamilton to hear Elizabeth Miller, children's librarian from Invercargill, entertain us with storytelling. What an experience that was!

Over the years Bookrapt hosted many events in addition to the annual seminars. We had such fun dressing up as storybook characters and reading stories to children at various venues around Tauranga. Thanks to the support of the Children's Librarian, Isabel Weenink, many of the Tauranga Library staff were also involved. Over the years the local librarians have been very supportive – many are members of Bookrapt. Thanks to their hard work, we have been able to enlist the resources of the City Council from time to time.

Being involved with the Bookrapt team has been a lifeline for me. During the period when I cared for my husband David following his stroke I really appreciated the understanding support I received from these friends. As I couldn't be away from home for long, my activities were restricted, but I was always included when it was possible. David, too, was always interested in our activities and encouraged and supported me. I missed out on a few seminars but I recall one occasion when one of our speakers for the seminar needed to be met from the airport. I was able to do this and brought Wendy Pye home for breakfast and time out before her seminar presentation. During this time Wendy shared some of her story with David, by showing him a video. He was tickled pink, and I appreciated her inclusion of him. As I was unable to attend the seminar I was glad of the opportunity to preview her presentation.

The friendships I have enjoyed with the Bookrapt members have also encouraged and educated me to further my appreciation for children's books. I hesitate to single anyone out, but Jean Bennett has been a wonderful encourager and caring friend, a great source of strength. She is a great example to us all.

As Phyllis Johnston said in her history of Bookrapt:

“We (our members) have travelled a long way, and accomplished a multi-faceted understanding of the making, reading, and promotion of good literature for children. Our reward is our bonding together while working for this fine cause and it has given us friendships that will last a lifetime.”

I venture to suggest that it is because of the great people of Bookrapt that I have been fortunate enough to receive this award.

Thank you