February 05, 2020
La Roche Graphic Design Professor Wins Gold Medal Award for Illustrations
PITTSBURGH, Feb. 5, 2020 — Stacy Innerst, an adjunct professor of graphic design at La Roche University, received the Sydney Taylor Book Award for Picture Books.
“The Book Rescuer: How a Mensch from Massachusetts Saved Yiddish Literature for Generations to Come” was written by Sue Macy and illustrated by Mr. Innerst. Paula Wiseman Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, published the book. The gold-medalist biography focuses on the founder of Yiddish Book Center, Aaron Lanksy, who dedicated himself to rescuing Yiddish language books and making sure that the language and culture would not fade. “The Book Rescuer” explores themes of identity and immigration while also celebrating the devotion of one individual to preserving history and culture.
“I was especially pleased that ‘The Book Rescuer’ was recognized by the Sydney Taylor Award committee because of my admiration for the subject of the book, Aaron Lansky, the author, Sue Macy, and the team at Simon & Schuster who made it all work,” Mr. Innerst said. “It's wonderful to illustrate a book that you feel strongly about. I've been very fortunate in that regard.”
Mr. Innerst will receive his award at the Annual Conference of the Association of Jewish Libraries, along with other gold and silver medalist winners. The conference will be held in Evanston, Illinois, from June 29 to July 1, 2020. The winners also will participate in a blog tour from Feb. 9-13, 2020. For more information about the blog tour, please visit jewishlibraries.org.
The Association of Jewish Libraries is the leading authority on Judaic librarianship. It promotes Jewish literacy through enhancement of libraries and library resources, as well as through leadership for the profession and practitioners of Judaica librarianship. The Association also fosters access to information, learning, teaching and research relating to Jews, Judaism, the Jewish experience and Israel.
About La Roche University: A private liberal arts university in the North Hills of Pittsburgh, La Roche University offers 66 undergraduate programs of study, six master’s degrees and one doctoral degree, with particular strengths in education, business, criminal justice, psychology, and health and medical sciences as well as interior design and graphic design. This residential university provides a vibrant campus community for more than 1,400 men and women enjoying 30-plus student organizations and an exciting NCAA Div. III athletics program. Founded by the Sisters of Divine Providence in 1963, La Roche University embraces its Catholic heritage while welcoming people of all faiths and backgrounds. With a legacy of social justice and a commitment to international exchange, La Roche University educates students to be lifelong learners and achievers in an increasingly diverse and global society.
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