What name remains on the bronze Newbery Medal despite sponsor changes?

The name “Children's Librarians' Section” remains on the bronze Newbery Medal despite changes to the award's sponsoring bodies. The wording preserves the identity of the original group responsible for awarding the medal.

The Newbery Medal was established by the American Library Association in 1921 and first awarded in 1922 for a book published the previous year. It was proposed by Frederic G. Melcher and named for the eighteenth-century British bookseller John Newbery. Today, the Association for Library Service to Children administers the award.

The medal itself was designed by Rene Paul Chambellan. One side shows an author presenting a book to two children; the other bears the inscription honoring the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. Each winning author receives a bronze copy engraved with the author's name.

The inscription can confuse readers because “Children's Librarians' Section” is not the current committee name. The wording is historical, while the modern award process includes both school and public librarians.