Ever wanted to get to know the YALSA Board of Directors more? Here’s your chance! We’ll be posting fun mini-interviews with each board member all month long so you can get to know them a little better.
Name: Josie Laine Andrews
Title & Library: Teacher-Librarian, Nevada Union High School
Role on the Board: Director at Large
Year on the Board: 1st year
What does YALSA mean to me?
JA: YALSA is a source of professional support and guidance for people who are in the unique position of working for and with teens. YALSA provides a sense of community for those working in teen services and helps teen library staff address and confront the issues that we face in our jobs through professional development, communication, and support.
What are your hopes for the future of teen services?
JA: I would love to see more avenues for teen voices to be amplified, especially those in marginalized communities. It is critical that teens have the access and freedom to read and access information without judgment and fear.
What is your favorite YALSA Committee or Committee that you would love to be on again?
JA: It’s my first year, but I loved working with CALA (make sure you check out their upcoming presentations) and I am excited to chair the President’s Task Force this coming year.
What’s your ultimate comfort food?
JA: Any type of carb!
What TV show or Movie do you watch on repeat? Or a book that you love reading when you’re in between new books?
JA: I’m GenX so any shows from the 80s or 90s make me super nostalgic and I can get sucked right in. When I am between books, I read the New Yorker and do the crossword puzzle!
What would you do or where would you go if you won the lotto?
JA: There are so many places to explore! I would definitely try to see as much as possible around the globe!
Want to run for YALSA Board? We’re looking for candidates for the 2024 ALA Election. If you will be at ALA Annual Conference in Chicago this summer, join us at YALSA 301 to learn more about YALSA Governance. Want to find out what the duties and responsibilities of the Director at Large are for the YALSA Board? Find them in the YALSA Handbook here. If you’ve been thinking about it, why not fill out the nomination form today? Just click here.
