YLG to host first Great Northern Meet-Up conference

The Youth Libraries Group (YLG) is partnering with Children’s Books North (CBN) for the first Great Northern Meet-up virtual conference this week.

It will bring together children’s librarians, authors, illustrators and publishing professionals from across the north of England and Scotland for a morning of panels, presentations and networking opportunities on 15th May.

Chris Newton from the Scottish Book Trust will deliver the keynote speech and Becky Swain from the new Manchester Poetry Library will present the children’s collection with a virtual tour of the library.

Other guest speakers include YLG chair Alison Brumwell, Manchester poet Tony Walsh, Yorkshire author Phil Earle, and north-east illustrator Helen Stephens. Swain will chair a children’s poetry panel featuring Ruth Awolola, Dom Conlon, Louisa Reid and Rachel Plummer. Jake Hope, chair of the CKG working party, will chair a discussion about northern opportunities with librarians Angela Foster, Anne Burns and William Plain.

Hope said: “I’m delighted Youth Libraries Group has been able to work with Children’s Books North on delivering a conference that truly showcases the amazing talent we have across our industry in the north.”

CBN co-founder Emma Layfield added: “When Jake Hope approached us with the idea for a Great Northern Meet-up, we loved the idea of bringing our two networks together. It’s a fantastic opportunity to strengthen our groups, to learn more about each other, and it will hopefully lead to further exciting collaborations.”

The conference is open to YLG members from the north-west, Yorkshire and Humberside, north-east and Scotland, and to all CBN members.