When I started this school year, I had no idea what a big part of my job reader’s advisory would be. The school I worked in last year had its share of heavy readers, but most of them were pretty self-sufficient; the most common question I heard was “Where are the Triple Crown books?” (Street lit was hugely popular there–we couldn’t keep titles like Black and A Hood Legend on the shelves.)

At my new job, on the other hand, I have quite a mix of readers–from students looking for books they’ve already read to use with essay prompts (testing my mind-reading abilities) to packs of girls asking for books like New Moon and Dear John before theatrical releases to a boy who raids the new book shelves every time I get a book order.

And, of course, there’s my personal book group.

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A couple of days ago a news story broke about a suburban Philadelphia school spying on students in their homes using the webcams on school-issued laptops. The story has gotten a lot of play, rightly so, and it looks like the FBI is going to investigate.

There’s no doubt it’s creepy if school officials can spy on students without the students, or the parents, knowing about it. (more…)

It started with a tweet. A student in an online young adult literature class that I teach mentioned a blog post by Sarah Dessen (scroll down to number 5), about Barnes & Noble’s use of Common Sense Media ratings on the B&N web site. The student tweet asked what members of the class thought about the use of these ratings in this way.

If you aren’t familiar with Common Sense Media ratings, you can easily find out about them by searching the Barnes & Noble site for any book that’s a favorite of teens. Search for Dessen’s Along for the Ride (more…)

YALSA’s March online chat will take place in Meebo. We’ll still be chatting on March 3 from 8-9 p.m. Eastern on engaging the after school crowd, we’ll just be in Meebo rather than ALA Connect.

Keep an eye on the blog to get more information, including how to use Meebo and where our chat will be located, in the coming weeks.

A few years back I bought a chess board for our library, the kind with a magnetic board that makes it a bit portable, and one where I hoped students wouldn’t lose pieces too easily. I placed it on a spare student-sized desk near the library’s entrance with two nice chairs on either side. Teachers and students began sitting down or huddling deep into a game while waiting for a class to end or during a free period. I placed our few books about chess next to our game and hoped the board would help welcome in more library users. Then the school year ended.

When the new school year began, I put the chess board back on its desk. Three days into that school year, a handwritten notice was found under the board: (more…)

Teen Tech Week Registration Ends 2/16: Getting ready for Teen Tech Week? Be sure to register by Tuesday! Registration gets you access to this year’s theme logo. This year’s theme, Learn Create Share @ your library, fosters teen creativity and positions the library as a place to explore technology. Know what you’re doing? Tell us on our wiki. Teen Tech Week is March 3-7.

Last Day to Order TTW Products: Tuesday is also the last day to order Teen Tech Week products and have them arrive in time for your celebration, using standard shipping. Check out posters, graphics and more at the ALA Store. Purchases from ALA Graphics support the work of YALSA and ALA.

After the jump, find out how to register for YALSA’s preconferences at ALA Annual Conference in D.C.,  information on applying to be a Spectrum Scholar, deadlines to volunteer for a YALSA Committee, and more!

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Are you tired of the cold and miserable weather? Me too! Although I live in Tampa, this has been a very cold and wet winter. I really want to go somewhere warm and dry! I feel even worse because I’m looking at the fabulous weather that we’ll get to experience when we head to Albuquerque for the YA Literature Symposium in November. Albuquerque has some pretty great weather in the fall. November’s average high is 57⁰ and average low is 31⁰ – though in 2009 the temperatures were a little higher. And the best part – no snow and very little rain!

What else is great about Albuquerque? Check out the YA Literature Symposium Wiki for ideas about restaurants, excursions and more.

YALSA’s Board of Directors will meet via conference call to discuss committee/jury/taskforce reports on Feb. 25 from 3:30-5 p.m. Eastern. YALSA members interested in sitting in on the call may contact the YALSA Office at yalsa@ala.org for access information.

The program below is one of many featured on ALA’s online clearinghouse for school/public library cooperation managed by the AASL/ALSC/YALSA Interdivisional Committee on School/Public Library Cooperation. Visit the clearinghouse to learn more or share your own exemplary partnership! 

Title of Program: Books and Brunch
Type of Program: Special Events
Age level: Adult
Description of Program: We have a program each fall for school librarians and teachers called “Books and Brunch”. We highlight library services and materials that will help teachers in the classroom and school librarians. In the past, we have brought in authors to speak about their books and how to use them in the classroom. We also give practical information about booktalking, displays, database instruction and other information teachers can use. We have arranged with some of the schools for librarians and teachers to get inservice credit for attending this program. The library funds this program.

Contact Information:
Deborah L. Dubois
Outreach Librarian
Mansfield/Richland County Public Library
ddubois@mrcpl.org

Discussions about books can get heated, passionate and intense. As chair of a YALSA selection committee, your task is to create an environment that allows for the passionate expression and sharing of viewpoints, keep on topic/focus and remain professional. When all viewpoints are considered and respected the product is a quality list, and members enjoy their service and want to keep volunteering!

Think about these meetings needing four components that build upon one another: Getting acquainted, building relationships, addressing issues, and taking action. If the first two are not in place it will be more difficult to address the issues successfully and the final action taken on the list may not be as cohesive. If a little more time is spent on the first two, then there is less likelihood of getting bogged down, personal rants/attacks, etc when the discussion gets heated. If all four components are working the group will feel wonderful and the product will be superb.

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