Individually, we are all probably feeling the effect of the current economic downturn and I know that I am.  In addition, my library system had budget cuts this year both from local and state support.  We are also facing furloughs in the upcoming fiscal year (begins July 1) as well as additional cuts.  I wish that I could say that YALSA and ALA are immune to the economic troubles but they are not.    However, both ALA and YALSA have been proactive in seeking new revenue funding streams as well as implementing cost savings.  So what does this have to do with YALSA members? 

There are ways that we can support YALSA and as a group get through the economic crisis together.   Here are a few ideas. 

• Committees can maximize the use of free or inexpensive tools to accomplish this work, such as Twitter or SurveyMonkey.
• Committees who are working on programs can think about minimizing or curtailing the use of AV at conferences.
• Members can also actively participate in continuing education opportunities such as ecourses and online blog discussions.
• Members can also continue to support the Friends of YALSA and the YALSA Leadership Endowment.  Both of these iniatiatives provide support to YALSA’s mission of continuous learning; advocacy; research; teen literacy & young adult literature; and planning for the future.

I am sure there are other ways that we can continue to support YALSA and would love to add to the above list.

YALSA is really pleased to announce a new contest…Create Your Own Avatar. The contest is open all YALSA members or registered attendees of YALSA’s Gaming Festival. Voting will take place during the Friday evening Midwinter Gaming Festival with the finalists and the winner(s) announced that evening.

FAQs

All avatar entries must be an original work and librarians are encouraged to team up with their TAG members or other teens in creating an award winning avatar. There is no fee for submitting the entry. Entry forms must be submitted to YALSA, yalsa@ala.org, by midnight on January 4, 2008. Avatars must be accessible online by midnigt on January 4, 2008. Direct any questions about the contest to Nichole Gilbert, ngilbert@ala.org.

What do you win?

All entries will be acknowledged with a certificate…yeah! Links to the finalists’ avatars will appear on YALSA’s website. The winning avatar may be used by YALSA in all marketing and promotional materials related to technology. The winner(s) will receive $100 worth of books, and will be interviewed for a YALSA article and press release.

Complete rules (including THE fine print) and Entry Form (in .pdf) are available on the YALSA website.

Meez and Zwinky are two sites that you can check out for help in learning how to create an avatar.

Brainstorm with your teens and create an avatar that really reflects how you see yourself interacting with teens @ the library, or how they see you. Most of all have fun!