Retired Christchurch librarian and passionate children’s books advocate Bob Docherty has been named the winner of the 2025 Storylines Betty Gilderdale Award, which is given annually for distinguished long-term service to children’s and young adult literature at a regional or national level.
“Bob represents the very best of the unsung heroes of children’s literature,” says Storylines Chair Michelle Chan. “Through decades of work in schools, libraries and as a reviewer, he has championed books and young readers with extraordinary dedication.”
Formerly a librarian at the National Library in Christchurch, Bob has worked tirelessly to promote children’s books, most notably through his influential blog Bob’s Books, where he has single-handedly reviewed many hundreds of titles, predominantly (but not only) New Zealand publications. The blog was warmly recommended by The Sapling as “one to follow.”
A regular presenter at the biennial South Island Children’s Librarians’ Conference, Bob has also served as a judge for the LIANZA awards and as a reviewer for Fairfax newspapers, and in 2015 was appointed convenor of the judging panel for the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults.
Both during his two decades at the National Library and continuing into retirement, he has become widely known as a frequent and inspirational speaker at conferences, staff development sessions and to students of all ages in schools throughout Aotearoa New Zealand, always promoting the importance of reading and recommending suitable books.
Earlier this year, Bob published Boomer: A Memoir, telling of a lifetime of travel, librarianship and his work with books and young people.
The award will be presented at an event in November where Bob will deliver the Storylines Spring Lecture, a 40-minute address reflecting on his career and lifelong advocacy for children’s literature. Details to come.
