Power. Their words have power. They will be up there, at the front of the room, holding the microphone. The microphone is power. The room will be full of adults, sitting at rapt attention, waiting for them to speak, hanging on their every word, relishing the opportunity to hear what they have to say. Their opinions on these books are powerful. They are seeds on the wind that will fly home with every librarian in the room and be planted in library collections nationwide. Your teens deserve this power. (more…)
Calling all Chicago area teen librarians! If you have teens with opinions on the Best Fiction for Young Adults (and who doesn’t?), we want to hear them in a very big way.
The YALSA Local Arrangements committee for ALA Annual in Chicago, June 28-July 1, 2013, is currently recruiting youth participants to give feedback on nominated books at the Best Fiction for Young Adults Teen Session. It will be on Saturday, June 29, 2013. A list of titles can be found here. (more…)
There’s a thick blanket of snow outside my window, my library’s spring newsletter hasn’t yet arrived in our patrons’ mailboxes, and some bubbling hot chili is on this week’s menu, but I’m dreaming about sunny Chicago in late June. Now is the perfect time for YALSA members to start making plans for ALA Annual in Chicago.
Here’s why:
10. It’s in the middle of Summer Reading! We all know how hectic those few brief weeks can be, so start planning to be away now so that your department is prepared for your brief absence… and knows why it’s so important that you get a chance to come to Chicago! Why so important? ALA has resources to help you make your case, but read on for more reasons.
9. ARCs! Rub elbows with the publishers and grab sneak peaks at some hot new titles to share with your patrons and coworkers. The ARCs you collect can’t be added to your collection or cataloged, but after you’ve read them and shared them around the department, they make great prizes and rewards for eager teens who are clamoring for their favorite author’s forthcoming title, or need a new author to rally behind. (more…)
How far would you go to promote a book you really loved? Actor Matthew Lillard went to amazing lengths to share one of his favorite teen stories (which also happens to be a Printz Honor Book!):
“OK. So, I first stumbled across FAT KID RULES THE WORLD when I was hired to record the audio version of KL Going‘s award winning novel. The book blew me away. It was funny and true, and it told the story of a lost kid – Troy Billings, alienated and alone – who finds his purpose in life through the magic of punk rock music. The book rocked my world. It was crazy! It spoke to me, in a deep way because I had been my own version of Troy Billings in high school. I was lost and an outcast and didn’t really fit in anywhere… that is until I found acting, which pretty much changed my life forever. After I read the book I knew I had to tell THIS story. I made this movie for everyone who has ever felt like they just didn’t belong… the misfits, the outcasts. the kids that are lost… this movie is for you! ” (more…)
Do you consider yourself a foodie? Then you probably will want to skip the Cheesecake Factory and try out some of these unique Seattle spots for enjoyable conference eats:
Blue C Sushi – 1510 7th Ave – quick, yummy, close to convention center
Taylor Shellfish Farms- 1521 Melrose Ave – awesome oyster bar, get fresh local seafood and wine
Le Pichet – 1933 1st Ave – delightful French food – if you aren’t hungry, just get the chocolat chaud, it is to die for.
Ristorante Machiavelli - 1215 Pine St – great Italian place, a relatively short uphill walk from the convention center
Alibi Room – 85 Pike St (in Post Alley) – a lovely hide-away, perfect break from tourist crowds at the Pike Place Market.
For many more suggestions of places to eat in Seattle, the Local Arrangements Committee invites you to check out YALSA’s Midwinter wiki.
~ Sarah Evans & Dawn Rutherford, YALSA Local Arrangements Committee, Midwinter Seattle 2013
Looking for a Seattle souvenir? Check out these places to find fun and interesting gifts with Seattle flair for family, friends, and yourself. All shops are located within walking distance or a short bus ride from the Convention Center.
Saturday, Jan. 26th 5:30 – 7:30pm The Tap House Grill 1506 6th Ave
Mingle with YA librarians and YA lit enthusiasts at this YALSA sponsored happy hour. Network, enjoy good company, and partake in complimentary appetizers and drinks.
Drinks The Tap House features over 160 beers on tap including local and national craft beers as well as a good selection of Belgians. They also serve cocktails, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages.
Door Prizes There will be giveaways featuring Seattle coffee and Seattle chocolate!
Location The Tap House Grill is located less than a block from the Convention Center. Note: Enter from the street and proceed down a long flight of stairs.
Karaoke Night
Saturday, Jan. 26th 9:30pm – 2am The Spectator 529 Queen Anne Avenue North After happy hour, take a quick nap or grab a bite to eat and then head over to The Spectator in the Lower Queen Anne neighborhood for some karaoke shenanigans. Beginning at 9:30pm, Baby Ketten will bring their unique brand of karaoke, and according to their Facebook page, “bkk offers the best karaoke in the universe. period.” (more…)
Even if you haven’t heard of Macklemore & Ryan Lewis yet, it’s likely that your library teens are big fans. Hailing from Seattle, the duo’s independently released album, The Heist entered at #1 on the US iTunes charts in October, 2012. In this video for the song “Thrift Shop,” you can listen to Macklemore extolling the virtues of thrifting while watching him patronize some of the recommended shops on this list.
Note: The song contains offensive language and is NSFW!
Seattle boasts a wide variety of thrift shops, vintage boutiques, and resale stores scattered throughout its neighborhoods. Sure, the city has great shopping downtown, but if you’re looking for something off the beaten path, not saturated with tourists, and a little less corporate, here are just a few favorites. (more…)
In those precious hours between committee meetings, hitting the exhibit halls, and conference sessions, it’s always nice to catch up with friends you may only see once or twice a year. Here’s a list of places in Seattle you can spend a little time hanging out.
Take a walk down to Pike Place Market. If flying fish and touristy t-shirts aren’t your thing, descend the stairs from the Main Arcade and explore the labyrinth of shops below on the Down Under level. Browse antique shops, visit an international bazaar, or buy some art from local artists.
If you have an hour or two to spare, take a walk to the Frye Art Museum. In addition to the founding collection of 19th and 20th century European paintings, the museum also showcases Northwest artists. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday and admission is free. (more…)
