Deadline extended! Publish your best YALSA memories in YALS

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What’s your favorite YALSA memory? You can get it published in YALS!

YALSA extended the deadline for submissions on YALSA’s oral history for the YALS anniversary issue — and we need you to tell us the stories that don’t always make it into the official history. You tell us:

  • What’s your best conference memory — or your worst?
  • How many books did you have to read when you were on a selection committee?
  • How did it feel to win a YALSA grant or one of our contests? What did you do when YALSA called to tell you that you won?
  • What other YALSA memories do you want to share?

Share your memories on the 50th Anniversary Wiki’s YALS page. We’ll take the funniest, most interesting, and thoughtful responses to reprint in YALS. Make sure to leave your name and email address with your entry, so we can get in touch with you and credit you properly.

Deadline for submissions is July 10, 2007.

Questions? Want to share your memories privately? Then contact Editor Valerie Ott (vott724@yahoo.com) or YALSA Communications Specialist Stephanie Kuenn (skuenn@ala.org).

What is the deal with these Annual podcasts?

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Forgive the terrible (and virtual…) Jerry Seinfeld impression, but you’ve no doubt noticed the Annual podcasts popping up on the blog (with more to come!) throughout this week. This is part of a pilot project to try and produce podcasts to capture the YALSA experience at Annual, expanding on our conference coverage on the blog.

We supplied five members with digital recorders, gave them some guidelines, and set them loose on the streets of Washington, DC and in the halls of the Washington Convention Center. The results exceeded even my highest expectations; I can’t wait to hear the rest of them.

But enough about me. The success of this project can be attributed to six people.

First off, hats off to Linda Braun, blog manager and podcast editor extraordinaire. Podcasting Annual was her idea, and it was brilliant. Linda’s help, from choosing recorders to finding participants and to editing the files, was essential. The YALSA Annual podcasts simply could not have happened without Linda.

And special thanks to our podcasters, who have done a bang-up job: Francisca Goldsmith, Erin Helmrich, Erin Downey Howerton, Connie Urquhart, and Joseph Wilk. Thank you for taking time out of your schedules to help us make the Annual experience come alive, for your own insights, and for the great interviews you all did.

DEADLINE EXTENDED! Sign up for YALSA Online Courses

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YALSA’s Online Course deadline has been pushed back to Monday, June 18!

Classes will take place July 1 to July 30, except for “Making the Match,” which runs from July 1 through August 10. Registration has been extended through the end of the day Monday, so learn more or sign up on YALSA’s Online Courses Page.


Course details are also listed here:

“Making the Match: Finding the Right Book for the Right Teen at the Right Time” participants will become experts at connecting teens with books! In a recent survey by Smartgirl.org and YALSA, the majority of teen respondents said that they would read more if they knew about more good books to read. In this e-course, participants will learn how to make a successful match between library materials and teen library users. Course participants will explore adolescent development, learn about teen reading preferences and take part in an active discussion about specific books and library materials that meet the varied needs and interests of teens. Teri Lesesne will teach this course.

“Pain in the Brain” Teen brain development rivals that of the toddler years—maybe that explains the attitude and characteristics of this historically underserved age group. Participants will find out exactly why teens act the way they do and learn how librarians can address patron behavior issues in a way that will develop relationships with young adults. Beth Gallaway will teach this course.

“Power Programming for Teens” will help participants attain a higher level of service to teens at their library or school. Designed for library staff who are beginning to find success with a few teen programs, participants will learn how to develop and implement more programming ideas that will work at their facility. Amy Alessio will teach this course.

“Using Electronic Databases with Teens” will review several electronic databases guided by an evaluation form that will be provided. Students will experiment with three databases and create a local tip sheet for use by teen patrons. Nancy Keane will teach this course.

Share your memories of YALSA with us!

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What’s your favorite YALSA memory?

The fall issue of Young Adult Library Services will feature articles and columns about YALSA’s 50th Anniversary, and we want to compile an oral history of YALSA for it, so we need you to tell us the stories that don’t always make it into the official history.

  • What was it like to attend the first Printz Award reception? The first Edwards Award?
  • What’s your best conference memory — or your worst?
  • What other YALSA memories do you want to share?

Share your memories on the 50th Anniversary Wiki on the YALS Memories page, under the heading “YALSA Stories ” or by clicking “Discussion” at the top of the page. We’ll take the funniest, most interesting, and thoughtful responses to reprint in YALS. Make sure to leave your name and email address with your entry, so we can get in touch with you and credit you properly.

Deadline for submissions is July 1, 2007.

Questions? Contact Editor Valerie Ott at vott724@yahoo.com or YALSA Communications Specialist Stephanie Kuenn at skuenn@ala.org.

City Guide Now Available for Annual in DC

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Joining YALSA in Washington, D.C. for Annual this year? Not sure what to do in your spare time? Wondering where to find the tastiest food? You’re in luck—the YALSA Local Arrangements Committee has put together a Washington, D.C. city guide (PDF; Adobe Reader required) with the inside scoop on how to get around, what to see, what to do, and where to eat. It’s a PDF for easy printing, perfect for tucking into your luggage or carry-on bag.

Learn more about what’s going on at Annual (or post your own conference-related information) at YALSA’s Wiki or by visiting YALSA’s Annual Conference Web page.

YALSA Named 2007 World Book – ALA Goal Award Grant Winner

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YALSA is the recipient of the 2007 World Book – ALA Goal Award, with a $10,000 grant to improve teen library services in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, with the ultimate goal of boosting teen reading in all three states.

The grant will fund professional development in each state, tied to Teen Read Week. Each state will host two training workshops, A Beginner’s Guide to Teens in Libraries and Power Up With Print. YALSA will also distribute free Teen Read Week resource kits to library workers in those states, including tips on collection development, programming, and marketing to teens.

To learn more about the World Book – ALA Goal Award, please visit the grant’s Web page.

Congratulations to YALSA!