On Saturday, June 25, I will be hosting a YALSA-sponsored program during the ALA Annual Conference about serving teens with disabilities. I am looking for a few good presenters who are interested in joining me and sharing their stories with the greater, teen-serving library community about how they are currently serving young people with disabilities in their public or school libraries with special programs, adapted services, or initiatives developed specifically to help foster a community of inclusion. If you are already planning to attend ALA Annual in New Orleans and are interested in possibly being a part of this workshop (see description below), please email me as soon as possible. In addition to including your name, title, and contact information in the email, please send me a brief description about how you are working with teens with disabilities. (more…)

Earlier today, School Library Journal reported that YALSA would stop publishing the annual Best Book for Young Adults Booklist (“ALA Conference 2009: Best Books for Young Adults List to Get the Axe” by Rocco Staino). As a member of the YALSA Board of Directors, I would like to clarify that no decision has been made with regards to the future of the BBYA Booklist as of this posting.

Yes, there is a proposal before the YALSA Board of Directors that would result in the sunsetting of BBYA. However, it is just that: a proposal; a proposal which requires a majority of the board to approve it. And given that the board hasn’t met yet, much less discussed or voted on BBYA, it is presumptuous of SLJ to post such a misleading article. (more…)