Still working in San Antonio

by

Posted by Teri Lesesne

Though the exhibit halls look like ghost towns, and many participants are now home and busily unpacking their ARCS from their overstuffed luggage, some work still remains for the folks on various YALSA Committees. My roomie and I head off shortly for the final meeting of the Quick Picks List for 2006. Today we cast our final votes for the books, write annotations to go along with the titles, and settle on our Top Ten Books.

Other committees are meeting as well so that soon members can access BBYA and Notable and other important collection development lists. Of course, YALSA officers and Board Members are still meeting to plan for New Orleans and beyond. Get involved and see how it all works behind the scenes at ALA and YALSA.

May I have the envelope, please?

by

Posted by Teri Lesesne

There was a palpable thrill in the air of Hall C as Pam Spencer Holley opened the first ever live web cast of the awards ceremony known as the Oscars of the juvenile literature world. Librarians and publishers mingled before being called to order with lots of us getting in our last picks for winning titles before the actual announcements.

After viewing footage from the forthcoming Pura Belpre video that celebrates the 10th anniversary of this award, President Michael Gorman opened the ceremonies by announcing the winners of the Schneider Family Award. (for a full list of awards: http://news.ala.org/releases/announce.html). ALEX Awards were announced and then it was time for what all the YALSA folks had been anticipating since the beginning of conference: the winners of the Margaret A. Edwards Award and the Printz winners.

Pam Spencer Holley’s announcement of Jacqueline Woodson as the recipient of the 2006 MAE Award we met with much enthusiasm. Printz winners came next, again to thunderous applause. (List of Winners.)

After announcements for all the awards were made, we scurried off to call friends and colleagues. Immediately, the listservs lit up with the post announcement discussion also known as Monday morning quarterbacking. It was an incredibly exciting way to start a day here in San Antonio.

Teaching YA Literature Discussion Group

by

Well, the sun sets (at least I think it did behind the clouds) on the ALA conference. The day began with rain but the weather did not dampen the spirits of the thousands in attendance. More than 30 people joined in the conversation this morning for the Teaching YA Literature Discussion Group chaired by Shannon Sword. The discussion centered around several issues such as how to manage classes that are online versus ones that are hybrid and/or FTF. Following the meeting, I hurtled myself through exhibits quickly to scoop up some ARCs and then headed off to the second Quick Picks Committee meeting.

Tomorrow dawns early with the Press Conference set for 7:55. Stay tuned to see if your favorites win any awards.

Teri Lesesne

Building an Online Course

by

Posted by Linda W. Braun

Monique LeConge and I got to meet yesterday to finish planning out the online course we are going to teach for YALSA – starts February 6 but is already sold out.

It was great to complete the process and finalize our plans. One great thing we decided to do was include Monique’s 15-year-old in the class via an audio recording and a discussion board.

We’ll also have participants create their own My Space space as a way to introduce themselves to each other. There’s lots of other great things in the works including thinking about how programs, services, and space change for libraries when they really start to integrate technology as more than an add-on and as a true tool for helping teens enhance their literacy skills.

Can’t wait.

Leadership Development

by

Posted by Linda W. Braun

This morning bright and early YALSA committee chairs and board members met at leadership development. This meeting happens at each conference and gives chairs and Board the chance to talk about what’s up and what’s new. Two things were different this time around. First, there was breakfast (with giveaways) sponsored by Listening Library – thanks to YALSA staff for organizing that. And, the meeting included time for small groups to talk about how to manage difficult committee situations.

The small groups happened at the end of the meeting and it was great for two reasons. First, because it meant that we got to talk and not be talked at for the full meeting. And, we got to talk about something that was useful – how to better manage committees. Time ran short so we didn’t really get lots of opportunity to reflect on the discussions but Pam is going to collate the info. and send it out on the committee chair list and I’ll post it on the blog.

Actually, as I think about it the meeting was different in another way too. The agenda included lots of people talking about specific things. But, no person talked for more than 3 minutes I would say. That was great. Each person said what they needed to say and then we moved out. There wasn’t anything that needed lots of discussion but we still got to find out about lots of stuff.

Amy Alessio, YALSA’s fiscal officer, discussed how important it is for YALSA to be aware of our finances. Since YALSA is just striking out on its own as a non-subsidized division of ALA we have to be sure to spend money very wisely. Two things to remember within this context. First, Amy says she’s going to be always asking – do we have the money for that? And second, YALSA can only keep up with the needs of its members if the dues increase which will be on the ballot this spring is approved.

The dues increase is important so that we can continue to provide great programs and conferences, regional institutes, publications, staff, and lots more. It’s a small increase we are going to be asked to approve – $10 – but that money will go quite a long way.

Another topic addressed during the meeting was YALSA publications. I thought it was great that this conversation didn’t focus just on writing books but also on other types of publications YALSA can and does produce – this blog, booklists, journal articles, web content, and more. YALSA publications is interested in working with people on their ideas and will try to help match the idea with the best publications format. So, anyone with ideas should contact the publications committee.

YALSA Executive Director, Beth Yoke, told us about ALA’s Online Communities which is a place that committees will be able to use to conduct business. Committees can have real-time chats, upload documents, archive documents, and more using the Online Communities. Not all of YALSA’s Committees are included on the site yet but members can check it out.

Beth also gave a good rundown/overview of who does what in the YALSA Office. A good thing to remember is that if not sure who to contact the first point person is Esther Murphy.

Before we broke into small groups Pam Spencer Holley gave us her list of the top 10 responsibilities of committee chairs. The list is:

  1. communicate with committee members

  2. delegate committee members

  3. start and end on time

  4. always have an agenda – circulate in advance

  5. circulate an attendance sheet

  6. have someone else take notes

  7. read your charge – make sure know what are supposed to do

  8. be sure to submit pre and post conference reports – board pays attention to them – can email liaison with sensitive info. – it’s OK to resign from a committee

  9. contact board lisiason with questions, concerns, etc.

  10. have a good time and accept the Board’s thanks

All Cheer for All Committee

by

Living la vida ALA last night was fun. Now, it is time to get down to work. Welcome to the YALSA All Committee Meeting. It is Saturday morning about 10 am. YALSA President Pam Spencer Holley brought the meeting to order thanking Listening Library for sponsoring the breakfast and providing the cool lunch boxes with audiobooks inside. A brief moment of silence for Gerald Hodges and James Cook brought a few of us to tears and then we were underway.

All Committee is the heart and soul of YALSA’s operations at conference. Dozens of committees meet here to conduct their business. Groups as disparate as Research, Teen Read Week, Publisher’s Liaison, Teens and Technology, and Publications have the chance to meet in person at annual and midwinter during this All Committee time. It is a great way for new folks to see the various committee opportunities available, to introduce themselves as volunteers, to get involved. Old hands like me can hug friends we see twice a year at ALA and catch up on the latest gossip.

Terry Young brought greetings from New Orleans as the local arrangements chair and assured us that all would be ready for us in June. A few god tips for those planning to come to annual included: book your rooms as early as possible and please remember to register soon as well.

Pam gave a report on YALSA’s activities this past year including Teen Read Week, increased membership in YALSA (we are nearing 5000 members), responses to the hurricane affected areas, a new Graphic Novel Committee, an Advisory Board for publications (YALS and YAttitudes), task forces, and many other projects. GET ACTIVE AT YOUR LIBRARY is the theme for next year’s Teen Read Week.

The members of the YALSA Board and Executive Committee were introduced. Karlan Sick asked for help in conducting the work of the Nominating Committee. Judy Nelson, President Elect talked about her appointments to the selection committees and other positions. She urged anyone interested to go to the web site and complete the committee volunteer form and return it to HQ as soon as possible.

The 50th anniversary celebration committee members presented some of their ideas for our 50th anniversary in 2007. Think 50!

ALA President Keith Michael Fiels talked about the proposed dues increase and the plan for ALA’s continued growth, “Ahead to 2010.”

Beth Yoke, YALSA’S Executive Director, mentioned some of the handout materials available for committee members and chairs.

After the various reports, Pam dismissed us to begin meeting with our committees.

Teri Lesesne

All Committee Meeting

by

Posted by Meg Canada

The All Committee Meeting was aflutter with activity. Among the many important announcements and introductions, Terry Young, a member of the Local Arrangements Committee for the Annual Meeting in New Orleans gave us an update on conventions in the city. He is sending his comments to be posted here- so stay tuned! Terry encoraged everyone to register and book hotels as soon as possible.

Pam Holley shared highlights of the year including the fact that YALSA is the fastest growing division in ALA. with over 5,000 members! Want to get involved or stay involved? Don’t forget to fill out the Committee Volunteer Form.

All-Committee Meeting Agenda

by

Posted by Meg Canada

Wondering what is happening during the All-Committee Meeting? Here is a first look at the agenda:

ALL COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA
For YALSA Committee Members

2006 Midwinter Meeting, San Antonio

Saturday January 21st, 9:30am – 12:30 am

Marriott Rivercenter (MAR) Salon E

9:30 – 10:00: Continental breakfast sponsored by Listening Library.
Have a bite to eat and mingle with your fellow YALSA members!

10:00: Meeting Begins.

1. Welcome, Introductions & YALSA Highlights– Pam Spencer Holley, President

2. Board Liaison Introductions – Christine Allen, YALSA Councilor

3. YALSA Nominating Committee Message – Jennifer Hubert, Chair

4. Committee Appointment Process – Judy Nelson, President-Elect

5. YALSA’s 50th Anniversary Taskforce – Mary Arnold, Co-Chair

6. Marketing Your Committee’s Accomplishments – Beth Yoke

7. YALSA Periodicals –

  • YAttitudes: Amy Alessio, Editor
  • Young Adult Library Services: Valerie Ott, Editor

8. Building YALSA’s Assets – Amy Alessio, Fiscal Officer

9. Questions and Answers – David Mowery, Immediate Past President

10. Breakout into Committee Work Sessions

Leadership Development

by

I’ll be at leadership development bright and early on Saturday morning. This morning I was looking at the agenda for the meeting and it looks really full. A couple of things jumped out at me as things I’m interested in learning more about.

It looks like we’ll learn more about ALA’s Online Communities. That’s great. It will be good to have a collaborative space where committee members can meet online and talk about work, goals, and such. I’m not sure how it’s going to work but I’m looking forward to finding out.

Also, I thought it was great that on the agenda there are items that should specifically help committee chairs expand their committee work by getting involved in YALSA in a broader sense. We’ll get to hear about how to help publicize committee work in YALSA publications. I think that lots of committee chairs and members would like to let others know about the work they do, but are never quite sure how to do that. Maybe this part of the agenda will get the word out.

I also noticed that it looks like there are going to be time for small group discussions during leadership development. I don’t think I’ve ever seen that at one of these meetings before. That sounds great. We tend to sit at Leadership Development and listen or ask questions as part of a large group. To be able to talk to others in small groups will be great.

Once the meeting is over I’ll blog back to let readers know what really happened at the meeting.

Just a few more days

by

I’m really starting to think about getting ready to go to conference. There are lots of things I’m looking forward to – of course the Teens and Technology Institute and the gaming night – but also getting to see people that I’ve met through various projects with YALSA. One of the best things about working on YALSA Committees and special projects is the chance to meet other people, find out what’s going on in their library and work, and build networks.

I discovered that the people I’ve met in YALSA are people I get to connect with in other parts of my life and are people that I often refer others to. It’s great to find out what’s happening in other libraries and then when I’m back in the real world – after conference – I can tell others who might want to do something similar.

I also discovered that I never remember why I took someone’s business card. So, now I know for me it’s a good idea to write a note on each of the cards that I take so when I get back to regular old work I’ll know why I wanted to contact that person.

It would be interesting to know the techniques that others use to network during conference. Of course there are meetings, dinners, and receptions. Those are all good venues for finding out what’s going on in other people’s library worlds.