Nominations Sought for 2009 Pannell Awards

The Women's National Book Association is seeking nominations for its 2009 Pannell Awards, honoring retail bookstores that excel at inspiring an interest in reading, as well as creatively bringing books and young people together.

The awards will be presented to two bookstores -- one general bookstore and one children's specialty bookstore -- at next spring's BookExpo America. Each winner will receive a check for $1,000 and a framed piece of original art by a children's book illustrator.

As part of its "go green" effort, for the first time WNBA will accept nominations via e-mail. Nominations should include the name, address, and phone number of the bookstore; the name and e-mail address of a contact person at the store; a sentence or two explaining why the store is deserving of the award; and the nominator's name and affiliation to the store. Stores may nominate themselves.

Nominations should be sent to mary.james@ingrambook.com by January 15, 2009.