YALSA is now accepting applications for the fifth round of the Excellence in Library Services to Young Adults Project. Complete information is available on the YALSA web site.
YALSA’s Excellence Award Task Force will select up to twenty-five exemplary teen programs/services in all types of libraries to include in a fifth edition of Excellence in Library Services to Young Adults. The top five programs will receive cash awards of $1000 each. Twenty “best of the rest” applications will receive cash awards of $250. All programs will be featured in the fifth edition of Excellence in Library Services to Young Adults, which will be edited by Amy Alessio and available in summer 2008.
The categories of programs/services for young adults ages 12 18 that will be considered are:
Enhancing Teen Spaces, Physical or Virtual: this includes teen space makeovers, web-based services or programs for teens and/or projects that make libraries in schools and public sectors more teen friendly and/or accessible
Teen Tech Week: educational or recreational programs or services relating to YALSA’s inaugural Teen Tech Week March 4-10, 2007.
Creative Teen Clubs: regularly-meeting teen groups based on a teen interest or that enhance library or literary experiences for teens.
Promotion of Award Winning Young Adult Literature: services or programs that feature any of YALSA’s awards: Alex Awards, Margaret Edwards Award and/or Michael Printz Award
Reading Raves: unique reading promotion initiatives, in the areas of readers advisory, book discussion groups, incorporation of youth participation in library reading programs, services to reluctant readers or special needs readers, etc.
Community Connections: programs or services that involve a close partnership with schools, public libraries, or agencies in the community
Living in a Diverse World: services or programs to teens that promote respect for differences and/or reach out to teens of diverse backgrounds, such as ethnicity, language, sexual orientation, learning and communication styles, gender, disability and/or economic status.
Services Under $100: high impact services or programs that are low in cost
Special Events: a program or service that runs no more than twice a year which has high interest or high impact on area teens
Applications will be judged on the degree to which the program/service meets the needs of its community, particularly the young adult audience it serves; originality; quality; the degree to which the program or service reflects the concepts identified in The New Directions for Library Service to Young Adults; and the degree to which it impacts and improves service to young adults.
All applications must be received by June 2nd. For questions about the application process, please contact Nichole Gilbert at 1.800.545.2433 x4387 or ngilbert@ala.org. Send all completed applications to ngilbert@ala.org.
The 4th edition of Excellence in Library Services to Young Adults is available from the ALA Online Store.
-Beth Yoke
