The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), established in 1957, is a division of the American Library Association. YALSA is a national association of librarians, library workers and advocates whose mission is to expand the capacity of libraries to better serve teens. YALSA administers several awards and sponsors an annual Young Adult Literature Symposium, Teen Read Week, the third week of each October, and Teen Tech Week, the second week of each March. YALSA currently has over 5,200 members. YALSA aims to expand and strengthen library services for teens through advocacy, research, professional development and events. [1]
The organization that is now referred to as the Young Adult Library Services Association began on June 24, 1957 and was called the Young Adult Services Division following a reorganization of the American Library Association. This reorganization resulted in the Association of Young People’s Librarians being split into the Children’s Library Association and the Young Adult Services Division. A major responsibility of YASD was the evaluation and selection of materials for young adults, with the most active YASD committee being the book selection committee. YASD also advocated for library services for youth by sending delegates to both the 1960 and 1971 White House Conferences on Youth. By the 1970s YASD was growing stronger with its own office and staff and in 1979 it was given division representation on the ALA council. YASD's involvement in book selection also continued with genre specific book committees being formed in 1988. The name change to the Young Adult Services Association occurred in 1992, and brought greater notoriety to the organization, as well as a new image, logo and a new mission and vision statement. The re-branding of YASD as YALSA in the 1990s also brought with it an electronic and online presence, as well as new programs such as Teen Read Week. [2][3][4]
The mission of YALSA is to advocate for and expand library services for teens age 12-18. This mission includes: advocating equal access to materials for young adults, promoting materials of interest to young adults through programs, identifying research projects needed for young adult services, promoting staff development through continuing education, promoting the growth of young adult services through professional agencies, representing the interest of library staff that work with young adults, and communicating issues relating to young adults to the American Library Association. [5]
Who Can Be A Member?
Library Support Staff, Librarian Generalists, Teen Services Specialists, Youth Services Librarians, Reference Librarians, Managers, Trustees, Administrators at Public Libraries, School Librarians, School Library Support Staff, Reading Specialists, Educators and Administrators in Middle and High Schools, Graduate Students in Library Science or Young Adult Literature Programs, Faculty at Graduate Schools of Library and Information Science, Librarians Who Work with Teens in Special Libraries (Including Hospitals and Correctional Facilities), Afterschool Providers Who Work with Teens, Supporters of Youth Literacy, Booksellers, Bookstores, Corporations, Authors, and Supporters of Libraries (Including Parents, Teens, Friends of the Library Groups and Community Members).[6]
Membership Benefits
When you are a member of YALSA you still get to enjoy all of the benefits that ALA members receive plus the additional benefits that are available to just YALA members.
Some of the benefits that YALSA members receive include some of these exclusive benefits that helps members...
"Build skills and knowledge to give you a competitive edge over colleagues via free access to live monthly webinars, as well as $760 worth of archived webinars via YELL (YALSA E-Learning Library), discounts on products and books, discounted registration for online courses, conferences, and more.
Add more value to your library and become indispensable at work via eligibility for more than $150,000 in YALSA's grants, scholarships, stipends, and contests for members each year.
Stay up to date on the latest trends and resources via free subscriptions to publications like YALSA's award-winning quarterly journal, YALS, and YALSA E-News, the weekly e-newsletter.
Meet new professional contacts that can lead to career opportunities via members you meet and interact with on virtual and face-to-face committees, Interest Groups and more.
Make your daily work easier via access to support to help you deal successfully with book challenges, cutbacks and more.
Get recognition for your achievements via members' only awards.
Gain leadership skills to take you to the next level via our mentoring program, Board Fellowship, and more.
Make a difference for libraries and teens via service projects and fundraisers.
Raise your profile in the library community by blogging for The Hub or the YALSAblog, presenting a webinar & more." [6]
Dues and Rates
Please Remember These Dues and Rates are as of 9/19/14.
"•Regular members (salaried librarians and library workers)
◦$127 for first year ($67 for ALA/$60 for YALSA)
◦$162 for second year ($102 for ALA/$60 for YALSA)
◦$195 for third and later years ($135 for ALA/$60 for YALSA)
•Students, $60 ($35 for ALA/$25 for YALSA)
•Nonsalaried workers, $73 (unemployed, nonsalaried, or library support staff; $48 for ALA/$25 for YALSA) •Retirees, $73 (487 for ALA/$25 for YALSA)
•International members, $141 ($81 for ALA/$60 for YALSA)
•Friends, $86 ($61 for ALA/$25 for YALSA; appropriate for individuals who do not work in the library field but who support the work of YALSA, such as authors, booksellers, parents, teachers, etc.)
•Trustees, $86 ($61 for ALA/$25 for YALSA; appropriate for non-librarian members of governing boards, advisory groups, Friends organizations, and special citizen caucuses)
•Organizational membership varies depending on institution size ($175-$2,000 for ALA/$70 for YALSA)
•Corporate membership begins at $570. See other corporate opportunities with YALSA." [6]
Teen Read Week is a nationwide initiative sponsored by YALSA and implemented at libraries and schools to encourage teens to read for fun, and to make teens lifelong library users. First celebrated in 1998, Teen Read Week falls during the third week of October. The celebration is observed by thousands of libraries and schools nationwide and is aimed at teens, their parents, librarians, library support staff and teachers. YALSA provides professional resources, and ideas for programs and displays on their website. YALSA also promotes Teen Read Week through magazines and blogs. The theme for Teen Read Week changes each year. The theme for 2014 was “Turn Dreams Into Reality,” and was celebrated from October 12–18, 2014.[7][8]
Every year YALSA declares its top ten books for teens. The twenty five nominees are announced in April during National Library Week. Starting in August, teens then get to vote for their favorite books with the top ten winners being announced during Teen Read Week in October.
Top Ten 2014
Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
Splintered by A.G. Howard
The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson
The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey
Monument 14: Sky on Fire by Emmy Laybourne
Earth Girl by Janet Edwards
The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau
Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson
Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo
The Eye of Minds by James Dashner [9]
Each year YALSA hosts a Young Adult Literature Symposium. This year’s symposium was held in Austin, Texas from November 14–16, 2014. The 2015 symposium will be held in Portland, Oregon from November 6–8. Next year’s symposium will also feature a wider focus and YALSA is changing the name to the Young Adult Services Symposium. Additionally, YALSA also participates in ALA’s annual conference and Midwinter Meeting.[10]
"YALSA is the authority for offering high-quality online professional development in young adult librarianship. YALSA offers multiple opportunities for online learning, including monthly webinars, a monthly members-only discussion forum, and online courses." [11]
Types of Online Learning
YALSA Academy Online Educational Videos
YELL (YALSA E-Learning Library)
YALSA's Virtual Mentoring Program
Twitter Chats
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