What a busy time it has been just recently!  The days have flown in discussions around new Carnegie and Greenaway nominations - referring back to my times as Chair of the judging panel in 2008 - taking place at a very new Academy Library. 

The Members Day at Peters Bookselling Services in Birmingham was well attended.  A busy schedule was packed with a lively chat from Maggie Stiefvater talking about her latest novel Shiver and writing contemporary fantasies for young adults.  If you haven't read Shiver yet do try it - it's an interesting take on werewolves in a teen romance!

Alec Williams gave us food for thought on how to exploit the opportunities around reading promotions, especially Everyone's Reading and I shared my thoughts on the libraries I had visited whilst at two international conferences in Italy this summer.

We then had our autumn Management team and Board meetings in London - a busy and stimulating two days when we had the opportunity to get to know our new board members. 

This week I have had the opportunity to visit the Royal National Institute for the Blind at Stockport - I had never seen music printed in Braille before!  A fascinating and absolutely vital service is provided by the RNIB National Library.  Then, between all this, the day job needs doing too - this job is always challenging and stimulating!

Tricia Adams