Don't look now, but more than 10,000 librarians and guests are converging on Seattle for the American Library Association's midwinter meeting, Friday through Wednesday at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center.

On Monday they'll reveal winners of the 2007 Caldecott and Newbery medals -- the "Oscars of children's books."

Although most events at the meeting are for members only, the public is invited to a "Freedom To Read" fundraising speech by Spokane's Chris Crutcher, whose teen novels often end up on banned-book lists. His talk is at 6:30 p.m. Sunday in the Seattle Public Library, 1000 Fourth Ave. Suggested donation: $25.