American Library Association Notable Book lists are announced yearly by the American Library Association (ALA). There are two lists, one for Adults and one for Children.
The ALA Notable Books for Adults (established 1944) list is selected by the Reference and User Services Association (RUSA), a division of the ALA. Within RUSA, a 12-member Notable Books Council selects "25 very good, very readable, and at times very important fiction, nonfiction, and poetry books for the adult reader."[1]
The ALA Notable Books for Children (established 1940) list is selected by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the ALA. Within ALSC, a Selection Committee "identifies the best of the best in children's books."[2] According to ALSC policy, the current year's Newbery Medal, Caldecott Medal, Belpré Medal, Sibert Medal, Geisel Award, and Batchelder Award books automatically are added to the Notable Children's Books list.