Yes, it’s still several weeks away, but it’s really not to early to start thinking about what YALSA’s up to for Annual in Anaheim. I just decided to put programs, meetings, and events on my Google Calendar and was reminded what a full-schedule of offerings YALSA has put together for attendees. For example:
- On Friday, June 27, there are two pre-conferences to choose from. One on booktalking and one on serving younger teens and tweens. Both require pre-registration.
- Friday, June 27, is also when YALSA will host it’s third annual YALSA 101 meeting. This is when Conference attendees get a chance to find out what YALSA is all about. If you’ve been thinking about getting involved, and aren’t sure how, this is a good chance to get your questions answered
- Saturday, June 28, is a packed day for YALSA. Along with the Leadership Development meeting for Committee Chairs and All Committee meeting for Committee Members, there are several programs and events including the Margaret A. Edwards Award Luncheon and the Alex Award Winners program.
- On Sunday, June 29, you can start the morning with the Author Coffee Klatch. At the Klatch you get to talk to a variety of teen authors including Barry Lyga, John Green, Nancy Werlin and Cecil Castellucci.
- Among the programs taking place on Sunday, June 29, are Hyperlinks: Technology Catching Teens Outside of the Library, Fostering Youth Advocacy: How Libraries Can Help, and Beyond Gaming Tournaments.
- Monday, June 30 is another full day for YALSA with the Membership Meeting and President’s Program on teens, the library, and third space. Also on the schedule is a roundtable with the winners of the 5th Excellence in Library Programs to Teens program.
- Monday night is the Michael L. Printz Award program with presentations to the winners of the Award and a reception with attendees and winners.
Along with programs and meetings that are mentioned above, many committees meet during conference and talk about the projects they are working on. Conference attendees can sit-in on many of these meetings in order to see how the Division works and in order to hear what librarians serving teens have to say about a wide-range of topics. Meetings you might want to check out include:
- All Committee on Saturday, June 28. This is where members of many of YALSA’s Committees get together and talk about the work of their Committee. If you are thinking of joining a Committee but aren’t sure which one, this is a great way to listen in and find out what various Committees are up to.
- YALSA Student Interest Group, Sunday June 29. Students, and those who work with them, who would like to get involved in YALSA are invited to this meeting to talk about what YALSA has to offer students and how to get involved at the student level.
- Blogger Training, Sunday, June 29. YALSA’s Bloggers will meet to talk about the management of the blog and blog topics to write about. Anyone interested in becoming a YALSA blogger is invited to attend.
This is really just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what’s going on at Annual with YALSA. To find out more about YALSA events at Annual Conference visit the YALSA Wiki.
