Mover and Shaker Monique Delatte

Over the course of the next few weeks, the YALSA blog will highlight the 2010 Movers and Shakers from Library Journal who are also YALSA members.

Monique Delatte, Librarian at La Puente Library in Los Angeles, CA and 2010 Library Journal Mover and Shaker.

Monique participated in an email interview discussion. The transcript is below:

1. What was your first reaction when you found out you were awarded Mover and Shaker for 2010?
Excitement! This recognition validates the hard work that we are doing in the field, and it’s wonderful to be recognized by colleagues.

2. In what ways would you say that being a YALSA member has helped shape you to be acknowledged as a Mover and Shaker?
YALSA has played a huge role in propelling my agenda for the public libraries that I serve. Earning a top 25 recognition while at West Covina Library illuminated the cultural programming that the teens and I were creating together with the input and assistance of library staff. Winning the Teen Tech Week mini-grant from YALSA generated interest in the tech-oriented events offered at La Puente Library for teens, and provided spending power to develop the series of techie activities.YALS Journal published articles about programming at both libraries — a meaningful professional development opportunity for young adult librarians, such as myself, who want to share their experiences in teen services.

3. Your profile on Library Journal talks about a lot of the grants you applied for and received. Which grant funded project are you most proud of and why?
In teen services, the $1,000.00 gaming equipment grant from the Los Angeles Children’s Planning Council, Area 3, matched by the Friends of the La Puente Library, was especially appreciated.The Young Adult Board members expressed their interest in gaming equipment, and I wanted to make gaming a learning occasion for these teens, to prepare them for applying for college funding. So, the teens and I wrote the grant together. The maturity of the YAs in independently searching for economically-responsible gaming choices for kids and peers was impressive!

4. Are there any future plans you have in how you think you’ll continue to impact YALSA?
In the fall of 2010, I’m excited to teach a class for the Young Adult Library Services Association. It’s a month-long online course, Growing, Managing, & Defending the Young Adult Budget. Colleagues often contact me, expressing interest in increasing funding for teen services, so I encourage everyone with this interest to join the class! I have a great deal to share, and am looking forward to the opportunity to teach.

5. What advice do you have to YALSA members who are Movers ‘out there’ but might not yet be recognized?
Being involved in YALSA advances recognition among colleagues in young adult library services. Dedicating just a few hours a week to professional development activities will create opportunities for peer acknowledgment, which provides support in defending your young adult programming when times get tough.

6. Can you explain the photo you used for the Library Journal Mover and Shaker award?
A friend, Vidhya, said, “You need to move and shake in your shots!” So, taking her suggestion literally, I pretended to be on America’s Next Top Model, leaping into the frame, which…didn’t work. At all. Still wanting to shake, I used a set of maracas that are on hand for teen patrons to rattle at our annual Mardi Gras parade. (Being a Louisiana native, I’ve brought Carnival celebrations to my Los Angeles libraries. The YA’s marshal a parade of children, catching beads and doubloons thrown by the library staff and patrons. We enjoy king cake and New Orleans music; it’s a good time for everyone in the library!)

7. Any jokes about ‘moving and shaking’ that you’ve heard that can be repeated?
Just yesterday, my mother reported to me that my cousin, Erica, said, “When I first saw Monique movin’ and shakin’, I kind of hated her for just a little minute. Just a little minute! Then, I was happy to see her shakin.”