We're delighted that this petition has attracted so much attention, interest and, above all, support. We're disappointed with what we feel is a brush-off response from CILIP, which we feel is unnecessarily dismissive to more than 3200 people who signed a petition that was constructively worded, and behind which was genuine industry knowledge. All of those signatures are of people who are in some way part of our book community: readers/parents, librarians, teachers, illustrators, writers, publishers, booksellers and historians who have systematically studied in-depth how individuals, especially working women, are erased from history in banal ways. All of us represent a colossal amount of experience and knowledge and connection with Kate Greenaway for multiple reasons. It seems strangely short-sighted, and clearly detrimental to the reputation of CILIP and any present or future sponsor, to discard the concerns of such a list of names. The Kate Greenaway name has a cultural cachet that has grown over decades and is beloved around the world.

Since this petition was launched several weeks ago, we've both been receiving a steady flow of private messages too, all of which are in support of keeping the name Kate Greenaway--in fact, neither of us has received any negative comments at all. These private messages have reached a crescendo in the run up to the CILIP AGM on 24 October. Almost every one of those private messages has opened with words such as: 'I can't say this publicly but...' and 'I don't want to stick my head above the parapet, however...'. and so on. In addition there are a lot of anonymous signatories to the petition, who have made similar comments questioning the decision of CILIP on this topic. Please do take the time to go and look through some of the 800 comments on petition itself.

We've had requests to raise the subject at the CILIP AGM later this month. Sadly we cannot do this. Neither of us are members of CILIP and it would be inappropriate for us to attempt to challenge the management in this way. Similarly, for those of you who are sending us private messages as award judges and former award judges, and fee-paying members, we cannot raise this with the award management directly, as we are not part of that structure either.

But you can.

Truly we understand that none of you wish to be the first to speak up, that you don't wish to be marked as a 'problem' (yes, we know, the book industry is extremely quick to mark those who speak out as 'difficult'!). We won't name any of you, don't worry, we'll respect your privacy, but we can reassure you that you are NOT at all alone in your discomfort about the way this was done.

As non-CILIP members looking at this issue from the outside, we share your concern that the many experienced people who are part of the history of this award were not asked for their views, and the lack of transparency regarding how decisions were taken. The sentiments seem to be universal. In short, if a few of you can find the courage to raise this, you will not find yourselves alone. So, we will keep our petition open, but we'd like to encourage you all to seriously consider speaking up within your organisations and local groups and creatively using any CILIP formal mechanisms that CILIP management is required to address.

As Millicent Garrett Fawcett said: 'courage calls to courage everywhere!'

--------------- Original Post ---------------------

The Kate Greenaway Medal is the oldest British literary award focused on illustration. It remains one of very few that highlights the contribution of illustrators and actively promotes the importance of their work. Kate Greenaway’s own work is a hugely important part of the heritage of the British Book Industry; she remains an influence on illustrators today and should also be recognised as one of Britain’s great female artists. In an age when illustrators' names are still very often left off promotion and reviews for books, we feel it is vital to retain her name in association with this award.

In 2023, without a general consultation (and a limited one amongst very few librarians), CILIP decided to rename The Greenaway Medal ‘The Yoto Carnegie Medal for Illustration’ due to branding expediency. The name of an accomplished woman, whose work is directly relevant to the award, has been removed and replaced with that of a male industrialist and a sponsoring corporation. This feels hugely insensitive, and ironically inappropriate when it awards a profession that still battles to be recognised.

At a time when other institutions are making space for more female representation, and to promote the diversity of British art and illustration (for example Tate Britain’s recent rehang was designed to reflect boldly the contribution of female artists) this move is taking the award quite blatantly in the wrong direction. The Greenaway Medal can be seen as a companion to The Carnegie Medal for Writing, but it has long had its own identity as a separate award that recognises the work of illustrators.  Keeping a prestigious award named after a talented and accomplished female is important. The medal named in her honour is a tribute to all artists everywhere and should not be replaced by a controversial industrialist.  We’d like to call on CILIP to reinstate Kate Greenaway’s name on this award before the 2024 nominations.

You may contact CILIP at carnegies@cilip.org.uk or Tweet @youthlibraries and @CILIPSLG to let them know you share these sentiments.

Petition created by:
Dr Rose Roberto, librarian and historian
Tamsin Rosewell, Illustrator and bookseller

Update 30 October 2023: Australian-based author, Emily Gale, has written an article, 'What Did They Do To Deserve That?' posted on Voracious, that questions the naming and changing of literary awards. Gale has a personal connection with Greenaway that she shares with readers, and provides overview information about the historical figure of Andrew Carnegie, whose name has replaced Greenaway on the illustration medal.

Update Podcast: Emily Gale spoken on a podcast: https://share.transistor.fm/s/00b0a83b

Update 10 October 2023: CILIP is having its Annual General Meeting at the end of the month. As far as I know, this topic has not been added to their agenda as a resolution, therefore it will NOT be voted on by its members this year. This is incredibly disappointing and as mentioned by the comments on this petition, CILIP decision makers look tone deaf.

Update 20 September 2023: BooksforKeeps September Issue featuring some of the amazing comments here in support of the petition: https://booksforkeeps.co.uk/article/erasing-kate-g...

Update 29 August 2023: Tamsin and I are interviewed on the Illustration Department Podcast: https://illustrationdept.com/podcast/giuseppe-cast...

Update 16 August 2023: the BBC reported this story in News about Lincolnshire, although this has been signed by people around the world: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire...

Update 19 July 2023: CILIP issued a press release on that was vague and inconclusive. Therefore, we have replied: https://www.thebookseller.com/comment/bring-back-kate-greenaway