I found myself in the awards with a great seat and an outlet and working wireless, so what the heck–I liveblogged the awards. You can now view the replay, although the ALA Webcast is more comprehensive. (Though I’m sure it’s putting quite a strain on the server at the moment.)
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I was just about to set up the CoverItLive session for MidWinter when I realized that the poll had only received six votes. As a wise man once said–d’oh.

I’m leaving the voting open until midnight tonight (Eastern Standard Time) so that more folks have a chance to have your say.

And one sort of embarrassing note–although the ALA Youth Media Awards Press Conference is currently in the lead (with a whopping three votes), that may not be the best choice; ALA is already providing a free live webcast starting at 7:45 (Mountain Time), as well as what I’m sure will be comprehensive coverage on Twitter. I’m sorry I didn’t consider that when I sort of arbitrarily provided the poll options. (But you can still suggest your own!)

I’m leaving the press conference as an option on the poll, though, because this is the democratic process, and if you want even more thorough coverage of the awards, well, then, we’ll provide it! (Um, when I say “we,” though, I might have to recruit some help if that’s the event The People choose–because in the interest of full disclosure, I have a 10:40 shuttle to the airport, and I was kind of planning on running the live blog.)

Please vote!

We know not everyone can make it to Midwinter Meeting. As excited as we are to see the many YALSA members attending the Denver meeting in person, we want to make sure that everyone can play along at home, too.

We’ll be blogging and podcasting from Denver right here on this very blog, and you can also see information about what we’re be doing on our Twitter feed. Check in to see highlights from the whole weekend, including the Reaching Diverse Teens preconference, YALSA Mixer & Tech Playground, YALSA Candidates’ Forum (it’s not too late to ask questions),’  Read More →

Library Journal has posted a webcast of their June 10 panel discussion on Best Practices in Teen Library services. This was very informative!’  Michele Gorman discussed Developmental Assets and Teen Spaces, Jen Maneyand Christine Pearson showed model webpages that are library extensions (think online outreach!),’  many of which incorporate web 2.0 tools, and Scott Nicholson spoke about creating gaming experiences, and shared data from two research studies on gaming in libraries. Together, the panel provided an excellent overview to teen trends and how to relates to space, services & programs that is of use to new librarians, experienced librarians, and most especially, libraries seeking grant funding. Much of the information provided makes a strong case for serving underserved users in ways that appeal to them, best.

Check out the archived presentation. You do need to register, but it’s free! And, this may be a recurring event – watch http://www.libraryjournal.com

ALA announced today that the awards press conference scheduled for Monday, January 23rd, will be webcast. The press release reads:

ALA to provide live Webcast of top children/teen literary awards announcement January 23

(CHICAGO) For the first time ever, the American Library Association (ALA) will pilot a live Webcast of its national announcement of the top books and video for children and young adults – including the Caldecott, King, Newbery and Printz awards – on January 23 at 7:55 a.m. CST. The award announcements are made as part of the ALA Midwinter Meeting, which will bring together more than 12,000 librarians, publishers, authors and guests in San Antonio from January 20 to 25.

Online visitors will be able to view the live Webcast the morning of the announcements by following the links that will be on the ALA home page and at news.ala.org. High-speed access will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. For ALA Midwinter Meeting participants, the press conference will be held in the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center Ballroom C, and doors open at 7:30 a.m.

This year also marks the premier of the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award, which honors both the author and illustrator of an outstanding book for beginning readers, and the 10th anniversary of the Pura Belpré Award, which honors Latino writers and illustrators whose work best portrays, affirms and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in a work of literature for youth. In celebration of the anniversary, ALA will show (and Webcast) a clip from a new Belpré video created by Scholastic and Weston Woods before the formal press conference announcement begins. The Alex Awards for the best adult books that appeal to teen audiences also will make their Midwinter Meeting debut. In past years, the 10 book picks were announced during National Library Week.

Awards to be announced January 23 are:

The press release announcing the 2006 award winners will be available online at www.ala.org by 10 a.m. CST. Adult book awards also announced during the conference include: Notable Books for Adults, the Black Caucus of the ALA Literary Awards and the Stonewall Awards. For more information on ALA literary awards, please visit: http://www.ala.org/Template.cfm?Section=bookmediaawards