The Carnegie Medal is a prestigious award given annually in the United Kingdom to recognize outstanding children's literature. Established in 1936, it honors the best book for children and young adults published in the previous year. The award is named after the Scottish-American industrialist Andrew Carnegie, who was a philanthropist and supporter of libraries. The medal is awarded by the Library Association and is based on the votes of librarians across the country. It aims to promote high-quality literature for young readers and has a significant impact on the careers of authors and illustrators, often leading to increased visibility and sales.