Staff Bios

Kathleen T. Horning is the director of the Cooperative Children's Book Center of the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She coordinates the Charlotte Zolotow Award and Lecture for the CCBC. For nine years she was also a children's librarian at Madison Public Library. She is the author of From Cover to Cover: Evaluating and Reviewing Children's Books (HarperCollins, 1997). With Ginny Moore Kruse, she coauthored Multicultural Literature for Children and Young Adults, 1980 - 1990, and with Ginny Moore Kruse and Megan Schliesman, Multicultural Literature for Children and Young Adults, 1991-1996. is the director of the Cooperative Children’s Book Center of the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. For nine years she was also a children’s librarian at Madison Public Library. She is the author of From Cover to Cover: Evaluating and Reviewing Children’s Books (HarperCollins, 1997). With Ginny Moore Kruse, she coauthored Multicultural Literature for Children and Young Adults, 1980–1990, and with Ginny Moore Kruse and Megan Schliesman, Multicultural Literature for Children and Young Adults, 1991–1996. Kathleen is the immediate past-president of the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) of the American Library Association (ALA), and a past president of the United States Board on Books for Young People (USBBY). She has chaired the Américas Award Committee, under the auspices of The Consortium of Latin American Studies Programs (CLASP), University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee; ALA/ALSC’s 1997 Mildred Batchelder Award Committee; and ALA/ALSC’s 1995 John Newbery Committee. She has served on ALA/ALSC’s Notable Children’s Books Committee and an earlier Newbery Award Committee. She also chaired USBBY’s Hans Christian Andersen Award Committee, which selected U.S. nominees for the international award in 1992. She served on the NCTE Lee Bennett Hopkins Award Committee and the ALA/SRRT Coretta Scott King Award Committee, and chaired ALA/ALSC’s first Committee on Social Issues in Relationship to Materials and Services for Children. Kathleen frequently lectures to librarians on issues in evaluating literature for children and young adults. She has a B.A. in Linguistics and a Master’s Degree in Library and Information Studies, both from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

Merri V. Lindgren is a librarian at the Cooperative Children's Book Center of the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She coauthored CCBC Choices during the years 1990 through 1993, while previously employed at the CCBC, and since 2002. Merri was a member of the American Library Association ALSC/YALSA 2008 Odyssey Award committee. She served on the 2001 Charlotte Zolotow Award committee and chaired the 2002, 2006, and 2007 Charlotte Zolotow Award committees. Merri has worked as a youth services librarian at the Helen M. Plum Memorial Library in Lombard, Illinois, and as an instructor of Adolescent and Young Adult Literature at Edgewood College. She is currently a trustee on the board of the Baraboo (Wisconsin) Public Library. Merri graduated from UW–Madison with a B.A. Degree in Psychology and has a Master’s Degree in Library and Information Studies from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

Tessa Michaelson is a librarian at the Cooperative Children’s Book Center. Prior to coming to the CCBC, Tessa worked as a school librarian and technology teacher at Wingra School, a K-8 independent progressive school in Madison, Wisconsin. At Wingra School, she specialized in designing integrated media literacy projects for students of all ages. Tessa was also a third and fourth grade classroom teacher at Wingra before becoming a librarian. In the past, Tessa was a member of the CCBC Advisory Board and served as membership secretary for the Friends of the CCBC Board. She also served on the planning committee for the 2006 Wisconsin Educational Media Association annual conference as publications chair. While a student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Tessa worked at the CCBC as a reference assistant and as the Intellectual Freedom Information Services Coordinator. Tessa has a B.S. degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s Degree in Library and Information Studies, both from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Megan Schliesman is a librarian at the Cooperative Children's Book Center of the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. With Katy and Ginny Moore Kruse, Megan coauthored Multicultural Literature for Children and Young Adults, 1991-1996. She is currently a columnist for Library Sparks magazine. Megan served on the 2005 Newbery Award Committee. She has also served on the 1998, 1999 and 2002 Charlotte Zolotow Award committees, chaired the 2003 and 2008 Zolotow Award committees, and will chair the 2009 committee. She was a member of the committee that created the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction’s Planning Curriculum in English Language Arts (DPI, 2001) and created the bibliography for DPI’s Teaching Character Education Using Children’s Literature (DPI, 2001). Megan manages the CCBC Intellectual Freedom Information Services and "What IF . . . Questions and Answers on Intellectual Freedom" forum. She is currently a member of the Wisconsin Library Association Intellectual Freedom Roundtable board. She is a former member of South Central Library System Board of Trustees in Wisconsin. She has a B.A. degree in English from UW-Whitewater and a Master's Degree in Library and Information Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Ginny Moore Kruse served as director of the Cooperative Children's Book Center between 1976 and 2002, when she retired. During those years she founded the CCBC Intellectual Freedom Information Services, later acknowledged by national awards, and now by a fund established in Ginny's name at the UW Foundation. Since then Ginny has received "Emerita" status at UW-Madison. Between 2002 and 2004, Ginny chaired the U.S. Board on Books for Young People committee to select U.S. nominees for the international 2004 Hans Christian Andersen Awards and U.S. books for the 2004 IBBY Honour List, completed a two-year terms as chair of the 2003 Laura Ingalls Wilder Award Committee, chaired the committee to choose the 2003 Jane Addams Children's Book Awards, and served as co-chair of the 2003-04 ALA/Children's Book Council Jt. Committee. During 2004-05 Ginny's projects include the Wisconsin Intellectual Freedom Leadership Network (Steering Committee), ALA Notable Children's Books Committee, 2004 IBBY Congress (Cape Town, South Africa), ALA/CBC Jt. Committee, and Children's Literature New England (Advisory Board). (Ginny looked back on her tenure as CCBC Director in an interview at the time of her retirement.)

Hollis Rudiger was a librarian at the Cooperative Children’s Book Center from 2003 to 2007. Hollis served on the 2006 and 2007 Best Books for Young Adults Committee of the American Library Association and is on the 2008 ALA/YALSA Michael L. Printz Award Committee. She is known in Wisconsin and nationally for her expertise on graphic novels for children and teens, and has spoken extensively about their role in libraries and classrooms. Hollis has written about graphic novels for Horn Book Magazine and other publications. A former school librarian, Hollis served as the Lower School Librarian at the National Cathedral School in Washington, D.C., from 1998 to 2003. Prior to her position at the National Cathedral School, Hollis worked as a reference librarian at The University of Illinois, and in the Public Service department of the Schlesinger Library at Radcliffe College. She also taught high school Spanish and English, and middle school technology. She has a B.A. degree in American Literature and Spanish from Middlebury College and a Master of Science in Library Science from Simmons College in Boston, Massachusetts. Hollis now lives in Minnesota.

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	Collections Hours Location Staff Bios Governance Overview of Services Giving to the CCBC Contact Us Staff Bios Kathleen T. Horning is the director of the Cooperative Children's Book Center of the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She coordinates the Charlotte Zolotow Award and Lecture for the CCBC. For nine years she was also a children's librarian at Madison Public Library. She is the author of From Cover to Cover: Evaluating and Reviewing Children's Books (HarperCollins, 1997). With Ginny Moore Kruse, she coauthored Multicultural Literature for Children and Young Adults, 1980 - 1990, and with Ginny Moore Kruse and Megan Schliesman, Multicultural Literature for Children and Young Adults, 1991-1996. is the director of the Cooperative Children’s Book Center of the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. For nine years she was also a children’s librarian at Madison Public Library. She is the author of From Cover to Cover: Evaluating and Reviewing Children’s Books (HarperCollins, 1997). With Ginny Moore Kruse, she coauthored Multicultural Literature for Children and Young Adults, 1980–1990, and with Ginny Moore Kruse and Megan Schliesman, Multicultural Literature for Children and Young Adults, 1991–1996. Kathleen is the immediate past-president of the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) of the American Library Association (ALA), and a past president of the United States Board on Books for Young People (USBBY). She has chaired the Américas Award Committee, under the auspices of The Consortium of Latin American Studies Programs (CLASP), University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee; ALA/ALSC’s 1997 Mildred Batchelder Award Committee; and ALA/ALSC’s 1995 John Newbery Committee. She has served on ALA/ALSC’s Notable Children’s Books Committee and an earlier Newbery Award Committee. She also chaired USBBY’s Hans Christian Andersen Award Committee, which selected U.S. nominees for the international award in 1992. She served on the NCTE Lee Bennett Hopkins Award Committee and the ALA/SRRT Coretta Scott King Award Committee, and chaired ALA/ALSC’s first Committee on Social Issues in Relationship to Materials and Services for Children. Kathleen frequently lectures to librarians on issues in evaluating literature for children and young adults. She has a B.A. in Linguistics and a Master’s Degree in Library and Information Studies, both from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Merri V. Lindgren is a librarian at the Cooperative Children's Book Center of the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She coauthored CCBC Choices during the years 1990 through 1993, while previously employed at the CCBC, and since 2002. Merri was a member of the American Library Association ALSC/YALSA 2008 Odyssey Award committee. She served on the 2001 Charlotte Zolotow Award committee and chaired the 2002, 2006, and 2007 Charlotte Zolotow Award committees. Merri has worked as a youth services librarian at the Helen M. Plum Memorial Library in Lombard, Illinois, and as an instructor of Adolescent and Young Adult Literature at Edgewood College. She is currently a trustee on the board of the Baraboo (Wisconsin) Public Library. Merri graduated from UW–Madison with a B.A. Degree in Psychology and has a Master’s Degree in Library and Information Studies from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Tessa Michaelson is a librarian at the Cooperative Children’s Book Center. Prior to coming to the CCBC, Tessa worked as a school librarian and technology teacher at Wingra School, a K-8 independent progressive school in Madison, Wisconsin. At Wingra School, she specialized in designing integrated media literacy projects for students of all ages. Tessa was also a third and fourth grade classroom teacher at Wingra before becoming a librarian. In the past, Tessa was a member of the CCBC Advisory Board and served as membership secretary for the Friends of the CCBC Board. She also served on the planning committee for the 2006 Wisconsin Educational Media Association annual conference as publications chair. While a student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Tessa worked at the CCBC as a reference assistant and as the Intellectual Freedom Information Services Coordinator. Tessa has a B.S. degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s Degree in Library and Information Studies, both from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Megan Schliesman is a librarian at the Cooperative Children's Book Center of the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. With Katy and Ginny Moore Kruse, Megan coauthored Multicultural Literature for Children and Young Adults, 1991-1996. She is currently a columnist for Library Sparks magazine. Megan served on the 2005 Newbery Award Committee. She has also served on the 1998, 1999 and 2002 Charlotte Zolotow Award committees, chaired the 2003 and 2008 Zolotow Award committees, and will chair the 2009 committee. She was a member of the committee that created the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction’s Planning Curriculum in English Language Arts (DPI, 2001) and created the bibliography for DPI’s Teaching Character Education Using Children’s Literature (DPI, 2001). Megan manages the CCBC Intellectual Freedom Information Services and "What IF . . . Questions and Answers on Intellectual Freedom" forum. She is currently a member of the Wisconsin Library Association Intellectual Freedom Roundtable board. She is a former member of South Central Library System Board of Trustees in Wisconsin. She has a B.A. degree in English from UW-Whitewater and a Master's Degree in Library and Information Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Ginny Moore Kruse served as director of the Cooperative Children's Book Center between 1976 and 2002, when she retired. During those years she founded the CCBC Intellectual Freedom Information Services, later acknowledged by national awards, and now by a fund established in Ginny's name at the UW Foundation. Since then Ginny has received "Emerita" status at UW-Madison. Between 2002 and 2004, Ginny chaired the U.S. Board on Books for Young People committee to select U.S. nominees for the international 2004 Hans Christian Andersen Awards and U.S. books for the 2004 IBBY Honour List, completed a two-year terms as chair of the 2003 Laura Ingalls Wilder Award Committee, chaired the committee to choose the 2003 Jane Addams Children's Book Awards, and served as co-chair of the 2003-04 ALA/Children's Book Council Jt. Committee. During 2004-05 Ginny's projects include the Wisconsin Intellectual Freedom Leadership Network (Steering Committee), ALA Notable Children's Books Committee, 2004 IBBY Congress (Cape Town, South Africa), ALA/CBC Jt. Committee, and Children's Literature New England (Advisory Board). (Ginny looked back on her tenure as CCBC Director in an interview at the time of her retirement.) Hollis Rudiger was a librarian at the Cooperative Children’s Book Center from 2003 to 2007. Hollis served on the 2006 and 2007 Best Books for Young Adults Committee of the American Library Association and is on the 2008 ALA/YALSA Michael L. Printz Award Committee. She is known in Wisconsin and nationally for her expertise on graphic novels for children and teens, and has spoken extensively about their role in libraries and classrooms. Hollis has written about graphic novels for Horn Book Magazine and other publications. A former school librarian, Hollis served as the Lower School Librarian at the National Cathedral School in Washington, D.C., from 1998 to 2003. Prior to her position at the National Cathedral School, Hollis worked as a reference librarian at The University of Illinois, and in the Public Service department of the Schlesinger Library at Radcliffe College. She also taught high school Spanish and English, and middle school technology. She has a B.A. degree in American Literature and Spanish from Middlebury College and a Master of Science in Library Science from Simmons College in Boston, Massachusetts. Hollis now lives in Minnesota.