Volunteer for YALSA Programming Committee (formerly Education Advisory Committee)

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YALSA is currently looking for volunteers for the YALSA Programming Committee. This committee was formerly named our Education Advisory Committee.

Our current Education Advisory Committee has done great things things this year by offering members a wealth of education opportunities like “Information Safety, Identity Protection and Anti-doxxing Measures for Librarians” and “Preparing Yourself for YA Book Challenges”.

This year the YALSA Board has voted and passed a change to the EAC charge that will allow for the committee to be YALSA’s programming jury, or they will vet all submitted programs to YALSA whether for webinars or for conferences. This is a change from what is currently happening where conference program submissions are vetted through various groups. Changing to having one committee jury our program submissions aligns with ALA and bring us to a standard that other divisions practice.

Here’s the change to the charge:

Current Education Advisory Committee Charge:
The role of the Education Advisory Committee is to assist with providing appropriate and timely topics for continuing education offerings to the Executive Director and Program Officer for Continuing Education and Development and to identify qualified individuals to facilitate continuing education sessions.

New YALSA Programming Committee Charge:
The role of the Education Advisory Committee is to assist with providing appropriate and timely topics for continuing education offerings to the Executive Director and Program Officer for Continuing Education and Development and to identify qualified individuals to facilitate continuing education sessions. To serve as the division program jury for Annual Conference and the YA Symposium using the ALA Program Rubric. This includes vetting papers and proposals for YALSA Conferences. Assisting members in finding partners for LibLearnX programming.
Committee Term: 1-year term starting in July. Task force size: 5- 7 virtual members, plus a chair.

If you are interested in volunteering for YALSA’s Programming Committee, which will begin work on July 1, 2023, please complete YALSA’s Volunteer form using this link: https://www.ala.org/CFApps/volunteer/form.cfm 

As you fill out the nomination form, please refer to my post from last fall: How to Fill Out YALSA’s Volunteer Form.  Please email me (President-elect, Colleen Seisser) with your interest as that will expedite the review of your application and ensure I have eyes on it. You must be a current YALSA member and you must not already have three ALA volunteer commitments.

Respectfully submitted by Colleen Seisser, YALSA President-Elect

YALSA Merch!

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Hello Friends!

Do you ever feel like you want to represent YALSA and the awesomeness of being a teen librarian? You are pretty great after all! Some say that being a teen librarian is like being a bright, shiny unicorn, but how can you convey that to everyone? (Aside from surrounding yourself 2pm-6pm with teenagers…) Did you know that YALSA has merch now?

yalsa | ALA Graphics Gift Shop (alagraphics-gift-shop.myspreadshop.com)

Throw on a YALSA T-shirt or a Teentober shirt and let everyone know that you are a teen whisperer, here to advocate for teenagers in the library! Or get a pin for your bag. They say “Do what you love, love what you do…at the library!” and let’s be honest, that sentiment is true for librarians AND teens, so maybe check your budget and pick some up as Teentober prizes! Or if you have a favorite teen who likes pins, let them know! (I know, we don’t “have favorites”, but also yes we do.)

Times are hard right now, and sometimes supporting an organization by giving money can seem like a big commitment, but supporting an organization and getting a T-shirt or a pin? Well then! On behalf of the Financial Advancement Committee, I hope you’ll consider it!

Respectfully summitted by Amber Loveless, Financial Advancement Committee

Volunteer for the Organization and Bylaws Committee!

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We are still in need of volunteers for YALSA’s Organization and Bylaws committee. We need four more members to fill the committee. Here’s some more information about the role of the Organization and Bylaws committee:

BYLAWS

To periodically review the YALSA Bylaws and, when necessary, to recommend revision and amendment to improve them for the effective management of the Division, for the achievement of its stated objectives, and to keep them in harmony with ALA Constitution and Bylaws. Consider suggestions for Bylaws changes (from Executive Director, Board, Officers and/or membership) and submit recommended changes to the YALSA Board for review.

We have not done a bylaws review recently and we do need to continually make sure they stand up with ALA’s Bylaws, especially when changes are made which did occur this spring.

COMMITTEES

To study and review committee functions, recommending changes in committee structure. To consider, at the request of the Board or of any committee, recommendations like committee dissolution, committee name changes, or changes in function statements and to make specific recommendations for action to the YALSA Board in these areas. Whenever the establishment of a new member group is recommended, the O&B Committee reviews the proposal with an eye towards YALSA’s overall organizational structure to prevent duplication and ensure alignment with YALSA’s mission and goals. To review annually at the Annual Conference the reports of YALSA chairs to the Board. To advise the Board when, in the O&B committee’s opinion, activities have grown too varied to be handled by one member group, or have decreased to a level that Board review of a group’s usefulness is needed; to assure the Board that all current activities are in line with the committee’s function statement, YALSA’s goals and mission.

YALSA needs to evaluate it’s current committee structure in light of the volunteer shortages we have been facing the last few years. Charges and functions of current committees also need to be reviewed as there have been a number of updated practices that have not been reflected in the committee charges on the YALSA website in recent years.

HANDBOOK

To regularly review and when necessary recommend and draft revision of content for the YALSA Handbook; and to make recommendations on other appropriate policy and process matters. Revise the content in the YALSA Handbook, especially after Board actions. Periodically review and analyze the Bylaws for consistency with divisional goals in relation to current activities, practices and procedures; to suggest to the Board and YALSA staff areas in conflict and areas in need of expansion or revision.

If you have ever been frustrated by outdated information on the YALSA webpages, then this is where the updates have to be made. We have not been able to keep up with the updates that are needed to YALSA processes and procedures found in our handbook, and so we need this committee to help us start that work this year.

The Organization and Bylaws committee is vital to our organization and it’s effectiveness to our members and unfortunately the committee was unable to convene last year due to volunteer shortages. This committee averages about 5-10 hours of work max per month, perhaps a little more if there is a big project that comes up. This committee is all about evaluation and documentation. If that is something you love (and I know there are those of you out there because I am one of you!), then the O&B committee is the volunteer opportunity for you!

If you are interested in volunteering, you can access our YALSA Volunteer form with this link: https://www.ala.org/CFApps/volunteer/form.cfm 

As you fill out the nomination form, please refer to my post from last fall: How to Fill Out YALSA’s Volunteer Form.  Please email me (President-elect, Colleen Seisser) with your interest as that will expedite the review of your application and ensure I have eyes on it. You must be a current YALSA member and you must not already have three ALA volunteer commitments.

Respectfully submitted by Colleen Seisser, YALSA President-Elect

Volunteer for the Financial Advancement Committee!

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We are still in need of volunteers for YALSA’s Financial Advancement committee. We need five more members to fill the committee. Here’s some more information about the role of the Financial Advancement Committee:

The Financial Advancement Committee provides oversight and continued enhancement of the Friends of YALSA program, including promotion, fundraising and donor recognition. The committee works with the Board and staff year-round to create and implement virtual fundraising campaigns and fundraising efforts at conferences, aimed at both members and others, to support member scholarships and stipends YALSA gives out annually. Periodically, the committee reviews YALSA’s Fundraising Toolkit and make updates, as needed. The term is one year, July 1-June 30, with an option for a second year reappointment.

The committee averages about 5-10 hours max a month of work, maybe more in times when there is high fundraising activity. This year’s Financial Advancement committee accomplished a lot! They ran a successful virtual auction, led a Giving Tuesday campaign, and worked with YALSA Staff and the YALSA Board to bring YALSA branded items to the ALA Store, and TeenTober branded items to the ALA Store. If fundraising is your jam, then the Financial Advancement committee is for you!

If you are interested in volunteering, you can access our YALSA Volunteer form with this link: https://www.ala.org/CFApps/volunteer/form.cfm 

As you fill out the nomination form, please refer to my post from last fall: How to Fill Out YALSA’s Volunteer Form.  Please email me (President-elect, Colleen Seisser) with your interest as that will expedite the review of your application and ensure I have eyes on it. You must be a current YALSA member and you must not already have three ALA volunteer commitments.

Respectfully submitted by Colleen Seisser, YALSA President-Elect

Volunteer for the YALSA Hub Blog Advisory Board!

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The Hub

We are still in need of volunteers for YALSA’s Hub Blog Advisory Board. We need three more members to fill the committee. Here’s some more information about the role of the Hub Advisory Board:

The Hub Advisory Board participates in the development and maintenance of the Hub and follows the guidelines for the site as set out by the YALSA Board of Directors. The Advisory Board also serves in an advisory capacity to the Member Manager, who also acts as Chair, of the site and assists with the collection of content for the site, generates ideas for content, works on getting teen and library staff input and feedback, facilitates marketing and PR as needed, and writes for the site as needed.

The size of the committee is seven virtual members including the Hub Blog Member Manager, who is the chair. The term is one year July 1-June 30 with an option for a second year reappointment.

This committee will likely average about 5-10 hours max of work per month. Additionally, we just hired our new YALSA Hub Blog Member Manager, Rachel Milburn. Click here to visit the Hub Blog post to learn more about Rachel! I know Rachel is looking for an advisory board that will bring new ideas for content for the Hub Blog and she herself is a former Hub Blog Advisory Board member. This opportunity will be a great one to work with Rachel in creating new and exciting content centered on all things YA/Teen literature!

If you are interested in volunteering, you can access our YALSA Volunteer form with this link: https://www.ala.org/CFApps/volunteer/form.cfm 

As you fill out the nomination form, please refer to my post from last fall: How to Fill Out YALSA’s Volunteer Form.  Please email me (President-elect, Colleen Seisser) with your interest as that will expedite the review of your application and ensure I have eyes on it. You must be a current YALSA member and you must not already have three ALA volunteer commitments.

Respectfully submitted by Colleen Seisser, YALSA President-Elect

Calling all former YALSA Board members!

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We currently have no volunteers for the 2023-24 Board Development Committee. 

Members with governance experience are highly encouraged to apply for this committee! We need those members who have served in YALSA Board positions (ex-officio positions are included) specifically to volunteer as this committee oversees the Board’s effectiveness and helps put together and promote our YALSA slate each year.

Here’s more specific information about the committee’s work:

To develop in conjunction with the board activities and materials for: board orientation, on-going board training, and annual board member self-assessments, board assessments, and board roles and responsibilities. To pay attention to board composition and needs and assess board effectiveness. To identify and cultivate members for leadership positions, and to annually develop a slate of candidates for board positions. When building the slate, seek out the most qualified individuals and provide for broad representation, as outlined in YALSA’s Statement on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. To educate members about governance and service on the YALSA Board, including conducting necessary outreach via an array of avenues to ensure diverse representation. To assist members in preparing for the election such as through a candidates’ forum or candidate interviews. To review the process after each election and make recommendations for the next cycle. To serve on this committee, we are looking for members who have governance experience. At least one member will have served on a recent Board Development Committee, and no more than two may be current members of the Board. The immediate past president will serve as chair during their term: July 1 through June 30.

If you are interested in volunteering, you can access our YALSA Volunteer form with this link: https://www.ala.org/CFApps/volunteer/form.cfm 

As you fill out the nomination form, please refer to my post from last fall: How to Fill Out YALSA’s Volunteer Form.  Please email me (President-elect, Colleen Seisser) with your interest as that will expedite the review of your application and ensure I have eyes on it. You must be a current YALSA member and you must not already have three ALA volunteer commitments.

Respectfully submitted by Colleen Seisser, YALSA President-Elect

Volunteer for YALSA today!

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As President-Elect of YALSA, one of my duties is to appoint YALSA volunteers for both our Fall and Spring appointment cycles. I have been working to appoint YALSA members to our current Spring volunteer openings and I am pleased to report the following:

I have filled the following committees and task forces (YALSA Staff are working to contact members now about these opportunities for acceptance):

  • AASL/ALSC/YALSA Interdivisional Committee on School/Public Library Cooperation
  • Teen Programming HQ Taskforce
  • Teens’ Top Ten committee
  • Symposium Planning Taskforce
  • Symposium Evaluation Task Force 

We still need volunteers for the following committees, task force, and advisory boards. Click on the link to learn more about the volunteer position.

Please consider volunteering for YALSA today!

We currently have no volunteers for the Board Development Committee. Members with governance experience are highly encouraged to apply for this committee! We need those members who have served in YALSA Board positions specifically to volunteer as this committee oversees the Board’s effectiveness and helps put together and promote our YALSA slate each year.

If you are interested in volunteering, you can access our YALSA Volunteer form with this link: https://www.ala.org/CFApps/volunteer/form.cfm 

As you fill out the nomination form, please refer to my post from last fall: How to Fill Out YALSA’s Volunteer Form.  Please email me (President-elect, Colleen Seisser) with your interest as that will expedite the review of your application and ensure I have eyes on it. You must be a current YALSA member and you must not already have three ALA volunteer commitments.

Respectfully submitted by Colleen Seisser, YALSA President-Elect

Donate to the Friends of YALSA

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Your donation to the Friends of YALSA can make all the difference, as it can truly impact the lives of library staff and the communities they serve. Each year, FOY donations are used to support member awards, grants, scholarships, and stipends, and we are grateful for your generous support.

One of the programs funded by the FOY is the YALSA Board Fellow Program. This program allows a YALSA member to serve on the board for a 1-year period. This is an excellent opportunity for a YALSA member interested in taking on a more significant role within YALSA. In addition, the board fellow receives a $500 stipend to attend Annual Conference and LibLearnX.

Those interested in donating can visit the Friends of YALSA page. Your donation will help YALSA meet its goal of supporting equity, diversity, and inclusion for all members. 

Respectively submitted by Celeste Swanson on behalf of YALSA’s Financial Advancement Committee

Call for Volunteers Passionate About the Freedom to Read!

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YALSA is currently looking for volunteers for the Presidential Initiatives Implementation Task Force.

I am happy to announce that my President year them will center on the freedom to read.

I need YALSA member volunteers who are passionate about protecting the freedom to read and the right to intellectual freedom to volunteer for my Presidential Initiatives Implementation Task Force.

Together we will work on the following:

  • Taking the freedom to read theme and develop a theme slogan for the presidential year
  • Planning a year of projects and outcomes aligned with the freedom to read theme
  • Setting goals and activities for the year centered on the freedom to read theme
  • Collaborating with other ALA entities and other organizations or groups to bring resources to members centered on this freedom to read theme
  • Working within YALSA members and leaders to create resources for YALSA members by YALSA members centered on the freedom to read theme
  • Plan the 2024 Annual Conference President Program

If you are interested in volunteering, you can access our YALSA Volunteer form with this link: https://www.ala.org/CFApps/volunteer/form.cfm 

As you fill out the nomination form, please refer to my post from last fall: How to Fill Out YALSA’s Volunteer Form.  Please email me (President-elect, Colleen Seisser) with your interest as that will expedite the review of your application and ensure I have eyes on it. You must be a current YALSA member and you must not already have three ALA volunteer commitments.

Respectfully submitted by YALSA President-Elect, Colleen Seisser

Outstanding Books for the College Bound: Volunteer Now!

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YALSA is currently looking for volunteers for our Outstanding Books for the College Bound committee. Here’s some more information about the committee:

Charge
To support lifelong learning by preparing a revised and updated edition of the annotated Outstanding Books for the College Bound booklist to guide students of all ages planning to continue their education beyond high school. The booklist is updated every five years.

Purpose
To provide reading recommendations to students of all ages who plan to continue their education beyond high school.

Audience
The lists are primarily intended for students in grades 9-12 who wish to enrich and strengthen their knowledge of various subject areas in both classic and contemporary literature.

The lists can be used both by students wishing to round out their reading before entering college and by those taking college entrance examinations such as the ACT and SAT.

The lists can also be used by young adults and adults who are lifelong learners wishing to increase or update their knowledge of literature in areas covered by the lists.

Committee Members
The committee will consist of 15 members who are appointed by the YALSA President-Elect for a one year term beginning May 1 through April 30 the following year

The committee size is 15 members, and an administrative assistant, if requested. Up to five members from ACRL may be appointed.

Selection Criteria

  • Standard selection criteria consonant with the ALA Library Bill of Rights shall be applied.
  • Although copyright is not a consideration, all titles should be widely available.
  • Each category may have a special set of criteria.
  • Books can be in print or out of print, in hardcover or paperback.
  • Books that have appeared on earlier Outstanding Books lists or are available in revised editions are eligible.

Categories
The committee may select up to five (5) categories. The traditional categories for Outstanding Books are: The Arts, Biography, Fiction, and Nonfiction. Poetry has sometimes been a separate category, sometimes not. A Now/Current category was used for a time. Plays have been a subcategory of The Arts. There may be some variance in selected categories depending on the trends in society and in publishing. There may be subcategories, as well.

If you are interested in volunteering, you can access our YALSA Volunteer form with this link: https://www.ala.org/CFApps/volunteer/form.cfm 

As you fill out the nomination form, please refer to my post from last fall: How to Fill Out YALSA’s Volunteer Form.  Please email me (President-elect, Colleen Seisser) with your interest as that will expedite the review of your application and ensure I have eyes on it. You must be a current YALSA member and you must not already have three ALA volunteer commitments.

Respectfully submitted by YALSA President-Elect, Colleen Seisser