YALSA President’s Report for July 2010
Since I’ve taken the lead post, I have been off and running to keep up with demands of the job. I have thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it and I am grateful to the wonderful YALSA staff for helping me along the way. I am also grateful for the chance to get to know our great members who are also a hard working group of talented volunteers! I would like to extend my thanks to all of the members who worked so hard make the conference successful.’ Thanks also to the WrestleMania Reading Challenge Taskforce for updating the toolkit. A big thank you also to the Financial Advancement Committee for launching the silent auction effort and finally, thank you to President-Elect Sarah Flowers who is also the editor of YALS, because of her leadership, the journal has won its 3rd Apex Award in a row.
COMPLETED:
- Wrote my first column for YALS, which will focus on my President’s theme “Think Big.â€
- As per Board decision, worked with the Executive Committee to distribute a task list to each process committee so that they are set up for an established work flow for the 2010-2011 term.
- Filled vacancies on the Non-Fiction Award Committee and the Schneider Book Award committee.
- Worked with the Executive Director to prepare and send a mailing to state libraries in an effort to raise awareness about YALSA’s updated “Competencies for Librarians Serving Youth†and other resources.
- Worked with YALSA’s Communications Specialist to compose and send a letter to the Time editorial staff reminding them that libraries play an important part of summer reading.
- Started the President’s Program Planning Taskforce on the job of researching authors with upcoming publications as potential speakers.
- Interviewed by Dana DeFever of the Flint Journal who was covering the removal of The incident of the dog in the nighttime from a 7th grade summer reading list by the Fenton (Michigan)School district.
- Interviewed by Rebecca Hill for an article in VOYA on Christian fiction for teens.
- Worked with the Board to secure funding for YALSA’s first Past President’s Lecture, which will take place at ALA’s 2011 Midwinter Meeting.
- Sent a letter to AASL President Nancy Everhart regarding YALSA’s disappointment that the 2010 AASL Fall forum is scheduled at the same time as YALSA’s YA Literature Symposium.
IN PROGRESS
- Preparing for the Aug. 19th Board meeting to discuss post-conference reports from Chairs.
- Prepared for attendance at the BCALA Conference in Birmingham, AL. I will be representing YALSA by staffing the YALSA Booth, hosting a YALSA happy hour and attending sessions.
- Choosing YALSA representatives for ALA committees for the 2010-2011 term.
- Working with the Board on selecting a location for the 2012 YA Literature Symposium.
- Appointing two new taskforces, as per Board decision:
- Research Resources Clearinghouse Taskforce. The goal of the clearinghouse is to help YA and secondary school librarians find resources that connect them with the latest in relevant research focused resources and opportunities, including analysis, experts, research-supporting organizations, funding sources and more.’
- Thinking Big about Advocacy Contest Taskforce. Identify and promote best practices in advocacy for teen library services via a contest.’ Work with YALSA’s Communications Specialist between August and January to promote the contest among the membership.’
- Working with my President’s Advisory Taskforce to plan and implement Think Big Summits to be held throughout the year virtually in Sept., Jan. and June, with an in-person Summit to be held at ALA’s 2011 Midwinter Meeting.
- Appointing two new taskforces, as per Board decision:
ADDITIONAL IMPORTANT YALSA NEWS
August book special! Save $20 when you buy YALSA’s’ Teen Programming Bundle, including’ Excellence in Library Services to Young Adults, 5th edition, and’ Cool Teen Programs for under $100. This offer expires August 31.
Register now for’ one of these YALSA Webinars! Back to the Facts: YA Nonfiction (Aug. 19) and Ready, Set, Go! 30 Ways to Reach Reluctant Readers in 60 Minutes (Sept. 9) at 2 p.m. Eastern.
Register for’ Teen Read Week 2010 (it’s free)! Find activity ideas, publicity tools, and more.’ Be part of Books with Beat @ your library, Oct. 17-23!
Registration is now open for YALSA’s’ Young Adult Literature Symposium! Take advantage of early bird registration rates by Sept. 10 and join YALSA Nov. 5-7 in Albuquerque, New Mexico for Diversity, Literature, and Teens: Beyond Good Intentions. Registration starts at $195 for YALSA members and New Mexico Library Association members!
Tell us about your advocacy efforts and you could win $500! Learn more about YALSA’s’ Thinking Big about Advocacy Contest. Applications due February 1, 2011.
The YALSA Board of Directors will meet by conference call on August 19, 3:30 to 5 p.m. Eastern. The purpose of the call is to review post-conference reports from YALSA member group chairs. YALSA members interested in sitting in on the call may contact the YALSA office at’ yalsa@ala.org or 1-800-545-2433, ext. 4390, for the phone number and access code.
–respectfully submitted, Kim Patton
