About

A Chair, A Fireplace & A Tea Cozy was founded on April 2, 2005 with a welcome post that set forth a mission statement: to write about "story. Because it's all about story: the stories we tell, the ones we believe, the ones we read, the ones we watch. The ones we want to believe in; the ones we're afraid of. The stories we tell because we're afraid." While the majority of my posts are about children's and young adult books, I also write about television and film, sometimes adult books, as well as publishing and library news.

I am a librarian for a regional library of the National Library Services for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. Prior to that, I worked for the Ocean County Library, New Jersey. Before that, I was an attorney. This blog, and all its contents, have nothing to do with my employer. My opinions are my own, and have nothing to do with my employer. They have nothing to do with an organization or committee I'm involved in.

Contact me at lizzy.burns at gmail.com

My American Library Association activities:

2021 Newbery Award Committee (ALSC)

ASGCLA Membership Committee, Chair, 2018 - 2020; member, 2014 - 2020

ALA Recruitment Assembly, ASCLA Representative, 2018 - 2019

2018 Odyssey Award Committee 

2017 YALSA Volunteer of the Year - Group (2016 Margaret Edwards Award Committee)

ALA 2015 Leadership Institute

YALSA Representative to ASCLA Accessibility  (2013 - 2016)

2016 Margaret Edwards Award Committee (YALSA)

2012 YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults Committee

American Library Association - Children’s Book Committee, Chair, 2010 - 2011; member 2008 - 2011

YALSA Outreach to Young Adults With Special Needs Committee, 2009 - 2010

2010 Schneider Family Book Award Committee (ALA)

YALSA Great Ideas Contest Winner, 2010

2009 Printz Committee (YALSA)

YALSA Website Advisory Committee, 2006 - 2008

YALSA Legislative Committee, 2005 - 2007

Where I've been quoted:

Rosen, Judith. "Common Sense Raises Issues at B&N," Publishers Weekly (online), February 23, 2010. http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/450525-Common_Sense_Raises_Issues_at_B_N.php
Whelan, Debra Lau. "YALSA Axes Venerable BBYA List," School Library Journal's Extra Helping, January 27, 2010. http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/ca6716731.html

Bird, Elizabeth. "This Blog's For You," School Library Journal, November 2009. http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6703692.html I also appear on the cover, as detailed in my blog.

Corbett, Sue. "FTC Attorney Says Guidelines Not Aimed at Individual Bloggers," Publishers Weekly (online), October 19, 2009. http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/396794-FTC_Attorney_Says_Guidelines_Not_Aimed_at_Individual_Bloggers.php

Whelan, Debra Lau. "BookExpo America 2009: ‘Catching Fire’ Tops the Kids' Books Buzz List," School Library Journal, June 8, 2009. http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6662368.html

Whelan, Debra Lau. "SLJ's Day Of Dialog," School Library Journal (online), May 29, 2009. http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6661691.html

Barack, Lauren. "The Blogosphere's Farewell to Harry" School Library Journal's Extra Helping, August 1, 2007. http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6464471.html