FOUNDATION NEWS
Children’s Literature Centre Celebrates 40 Years
BY TY DEMARTINO ’90
Forty years of the FSU Children’s Literature Centre means 40 years of books, guest speakers, memories and fun. For educators and students, it also means 40 years of inspiration.
CLC’s mission focuses on promoting literacy among young people through book distributions, technology, awareness, cultural understanding and positive attitudes. The Centre is now looking for support to keep its mission going.
Over the years, the Centre’s yearly schedule of events has evolved to include an annual spring conference of authors and illustrators, a summer “Pirates Ahoy” community event, Frostburg City Storybook Holiday celebration and an interactive Harry Potter Book Night.
According to one of the Centre’s founders, professor emeritus Dr. Bill Bingman, the genesis of the Centre started as a way to celebrate two retiring colleagues from the Department of Education – R. Margaret Hamilton and Betty Roemmelmyer.
“We wanted an event to honor Marge and Betty. They both taught children’s literature. So we came up with the idea of having a children’s lit festival.”
Bingman, along with professor emeritus Dr. Thomas Palardy and graduate student Patricia Hancock M’82, organized the festival, which hosted 60 local educators that first year. Today, the spring event attracts about 300 educators who come to the FSU campus to hear presentations and demonstrations, as well as interact with renowned speakers from around the globe.
Bingman is quick to give kudos to the University for supporting their initial idea. “We had to borrow money from the FSU Foundation that first year to start.”
In honor of the 40th anniversary, Bingman is collaborating again with the FSU Foundation by creating a campaign to raise $40,000 by 2023 in support of the Centre’s endowment. Bingman explained that the fundraiser is crucial to the Centre’s longevity.
“The interest on the endowment helps pay for the events,” said Bingman, who noted that registration fees do not cover operating costs.
Bingman also pointed out that other similar children’s literature festivals at Pennsylvania and Ohio state universities, which he used for inspiration and contacts over the years, have dissolved due to lack of support.
Storybook Holiday
Harry Potter Night
Pirates A'Hoy!Looking back over the decades, Bingman is pressed to find his “most memorable” moment at the Centre. He does fondly recall his colleague Roemmelmyer and her love of author-illustrator Tomie dePaola, known for his wildly successful book Strega Nona. Bingman admittedly implored dePaola’s agent to get him to come to Frostburg as a surprise for Roemmelmyer. The writer’s camp finally agreed, but Roemmelmyer sadly passed away before dePaola’s visit.
But above all, Bingman celebrates the team behind the scenes that produces the CLC events, including members of his department and countless graduate students. He credits them for creating Frostburg’s reputation as a first-class, professional place.
“So many friendships have been established with authors and illustrators.” he said. “Word of Frostburg’s hospitality gets around.”
Bingman also hopes word of the new campaign will get around and garner support to sustain the Children’s Literature Centre, its events and the fun for another 40 years and beyond.
“So we can keep doing these goofy things forever,” he said with a laugh.
To support the FSU Children’s Literature Centre $40K Campaign, visit www.frostburg.edu/crowdfunding and click on the 40th Anniversary video.