April was a month of celebrations as we acknowledged and celebrated School Library Month along with both National Library Week and National Volunteer Week during the week of April 10-16, 2011. And as always we celebrated Support Teen Literature Day on the Thursday of National Library week with the announcement of the 2011 Teens’ Top Ten nominations and the launch of the ‘ Teen Read Weekâ„¢ website.
Along with thanking all of our hardworking members and library workers this month, I also want to send out a special thank you to the 2011 Summer Reading TF chaired by Charli Osborne. This newly appointed group, not only came together to begin their task, but quickly organized themselves, reviewed and judged the’ entries submitted for the Dollar General Summer Reading Grants. These $1,000 grants were given to 20 YALSA members who were recognized for an outstanding proposal of teen-focused summer reading programs.’ ‘ ‘
Completed:
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Worked with the YALSA Board of Directors to send thank you letters to YALSA Volunteers to acknowledge the dedication and hard work our members perform for us to keep our organization strong.
Contacted and congratulated newly elected YALSA Candidates and thanked all those who ran for office.
Worked with the YALSA Executive Committee and staff to review applications and select Megan Honig to serve as the Member Editor position for YALS. Megan will replace Sarah Flowers who is about to begin serving her term as YALSA President.
Worked with the YALSA Executive Committee and staff to review applications and select Sandra Hughes-Hassel to serve as the Member Editor position for JRLYA.
Worked with the board and staff to create and modify a new board liaison guidelines document.’
For School Library Month, worked with staff to send an email blast’ on April 1, 2011 to our YALSA members who are school librarians.
Chaired an Executive Committee meeting via phone call, which primarily focused on preparing for governance matters at the ALA Conference.
In Progress:
Working with committee chairs and staff to fill immediate openings on various committees.
Planning for upcoming YALSA Annual Board and Executive Committee meetings, leadership development, strategic planning and other activities.
‘ Preparing to attend and represent YALSA at ALA’s National Library Legislative Day in Washington, DC.
Working with the board and staff to draft a new board liaison guidelines document, which will go to the board for approval.’
Working with board committee to organize and plan May board chat.
Press:
Provided quotes for a press release about “Picture It @ your library†the new Teen Read Week products featuring artwork created by Gareth Hinds.
Upcoming Events:
‘ Registration now open for the 2011-2012 WrestleMania Reading Challenge! Your teens could win a trip to WrestleMania and you could’ win $2,000 for your library. Sign up today for free promotional materials. Registration ends July 31.
Register for YALSA’s webinars! Registration now open for’ Street Smart (June 16), and’ Reading Unbound: E-Readers and Your Library (July 14). Learn more.
YALSA seeks a presenter for Midwinter Meeting Paper Presentation, sponsored by YALSA’s Past Presidents. You could win up to $1,500 to defray attendance costs to present on trends impacting young adult library services at the 2012 Midwinter Meeting in Dallas, Jan. 20-24. Learn more.
See which 25 titles are nominated for this year’s Teens’ Top Ten!
Get ready for Picture It @ your library, Oct. 16-22 and register for Teen Read Week 2011! Check out this year’s Teen Read Week website for program ideas, planning resources, publicity tools, official products from ALA Graphics, mini grants from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation,’ and more.
–Respectfully Submitted, Kim Patton
