The Newbery Medal, first award in 1921, has been called "the Holy Grail of children's book writers," according to Elizabeth Cosgriff. Writing for the Web site Open Spaces, Cosgriff calculated "the average shelf life (time in print) of a children's book today is 18 months."

But of the 76 Newbery Medal books, 72 are still in print today, including the second recipient, "The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle," published in 1922. Earlier this month, author Rebecca Stead's novel "When You Reach Me," a mystery narrated by a sixth-grader who loves to read and re-read former Newberry winner "A Wrinkle in Time," won its own Newbery. Stead's book is on the shelf at the Hays Public Library.

The Newbery winner is selected by a committee of 15 members of the Association for Library Service to Children. Competition to get onto the committee is fierce. Seven members and the committee chair are elected from a ballot of twice that many candidates, and the president of the association appoints the remaining seven, with an eye to achieving ethnic, gender, professional and geographic balance.

Once selected, the members begin the yearlong process of choosing the single most outstanding work from the approximately 5,000 children's books published annually in the U.S.

What does it take for a book to win? The official criteria state it must have "conspicuous excellence" and be "individually distinct." It must be age-appropriate as well. A good book for a fourth-grader dealing with, say, racial prejudice, will be very different in style and presentation from a book on the same subject intended for eighth-graders. The majority of winners have been novels, but other genres have been represented as well. The Hays Public Library has many Newberry winning books to enjoy. Stop in this week and take a look, and go to our Web site, www.hayspublib.org, to see all of the activities we have on the schedule.

Friends of the Hays Public Library

Bookstore

Books, Etc, the bookstore of the Friends of the Hays Public Library, is open from 1 to 4 p.m. Monday and Tuesday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Members of the Friends continue to receive a 10-percent discount on all book purchases from the store.

Children's department

Story hours

Parents can enroll their children in one of the following sessions by calling the library at (785) 625-5916. The schedule is as follows:

* 3- to 6-year-olds: 10 to 10:30 a.m. Mondays and Thursdays; 7 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays.

* 2-year-olds: 10:45 to 11:05 a.m. Mondays and Tuesdays; 7 to 7:20 p.m. Tuesdays.

* Toddlers -- younger than the age of 2: 10:45 to 11 a.m. Wednesdays.

* All ages -- 2 to 2:30 p.m. Thursdays.

Book In A Bag

The Hays Public Library and the Kansas State University Research and Extension Family Nutrition Program sponsor the Book In A Bag program. Children enjoy a special book and a nutritious activity and snack. At 4 p.m. Tuesday, join us for "Knees Lifted High" by Georgia Perez.

Wii Game Days

At 4 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, come and show off your Wii skills.

Craft hours

Join us for a special craft project at 4 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. Children must register to attend; limit of 20 participants. This week: join us for Valentine pillow.

Chess lessons

Children can learn to play or improve their chess game during lessons at 4 p.m. Fridays in the children's department. Randy Brull will be the instructor. Register to attend.

Adult department

Herb Study Group

The topic for Tuesday's 5 p.m. meeting in the gallery is calendula.

Feed and Film

The films begin at 12:05 p.m. Wednesdays in the library's main floor gallery. They last about an hour. Bring your lunch and a cup -- coffee is provided. This week, join us for "The Madoff Affair."

YA department

All programs are free and for anyone grades six through 12. For more information, call (785) 625-9014.

Weekly programs

All start at 3:30 p.m.

* Mondays -- STAGE Drama Club, board games and snacks.

* PS2 and Wii Tuesdays.

* Wavering Wednesdays -- something different each week.

* Make and Take Thursdays -- crafts and more.

* Friday -- movies and snacks.

Kansas Room

In February, we will celebrate Black History Month with a book display on blacks in Kansas. The display cases will have a display on Buffalo Soldiers and on African American Baseball in Kansas.

Eric Norris is the adult department librarian at the Hays Public Library.