Steering Committee
FRANÇAIS
Mandate:
The Forest of Reading has ten individual steering committees that are tasked with responsibilities once the nominated lists have been confirmed. They are the ambassadors of the Forest and they work closely with the nominated authors, illustrators, and publishers. In most cases, they are also practitioners running the programs.
- Terms of Reference – Steering Committee (School-Aged Programs)
- Terms of Reference – Steering Committee (Evergreen)
Note: OLA strives to ensure that its staff, committees, and councils are diverse and inclusive in order to best serve the Ontario library community. There is immense value in bringing together various perspectives and ideas. OLA seeks out participation from members with different library experience; members from all regions of Ontario; Indigenous Peoples; and members with diverse backgrounds including but not limited to age, race and ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, and ability. If you have any questions about getting involved, please contact the OLA staff liaison for the committee/council.
Timelines
The timeline for the school aged programs varies from the adult programs. Below is the schedule:
- School-aged programs – September to May
- Evergreen Program – October to September
2026 Steering Committees
Co-Chairs of the Forest of Reading®
Co-Chair: Karen Devonish-Mazzotta, Teacher-Librarian, TDSB
Co-Chair: Amy Johnston, Library Technician
Blue Spruce Award™
Mack Hilton (Chair)
Billie Tenhage, Brandy Spencer, Carys Fisher, David Hoang, Marena Gillen, Michaela McBryde, Michelle Giesen, Michelle Gleason, Shelley Woods.
Silver Birch Express Award®
Kate Tuff & Rececca Tuff (Co-Chairs)
Brandy Spencer, Leslie Bethune, Merren Meijer, Rahima Nulla Tracey Donaldson.
Silver Birch Fiction Award®
Lisa Lewis ( Chair)
Alyson Walters, Christine Julien-Sullivan, Larysa Essex, Laura Jeffery.
Yellow Cedar Award
James Steeves (Chair)
Amy Kay, Ashley Pamenter, Kiersten Drynan, Michaela McBryde, Patrick Odea, Sandra Lewis.
Red Maple Award™
Faith Roebuck Shergold & Ashley Pamenter (Co-Chairs)
Amy Kay, Brandy Spencer, Helen Collins, James Steeves, Keirstin Gajadhar, Kimberly de Witte, Mel Nichol.
White Pine Award™
Elizabeth Coats (Chair)
Ashley Pamenter, Diana Williams, Kara Miley, Kristy Simpson, Michaela McBryde, Tami Steinberg, Tazeen Nasir.
Le prix Peuplier
Claudine Blanchard, Evy Gambin, Nancy Dion (Chairs)
Le prix Mélèze
Evy Gambin, Claudine Blanchard, Nancy Dion (Chairs)
Le prix Tamarac
Eugenia Doval, Claudine Blanchard, Nancy Dion (Chairs)
Evergreen Award™
Enid Wray & Julie Wendland (Co-Chairs)
