Contact: Nichole Gilbert

YALSA

312-280-4387

ngilbert@ala.org

For Immediate Release

September 29, 2006

Teen Read Week^TM nonprofit supporter SmartGirl.org
offers teen reading survey

CHICAGO - In conjunction with Teen Read Week^TM, the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), the fastest growing division of the American Library Association (ALA), is asking librarians to encourage their teenage patrons - young men and women ages 12 through 18 - to complete an online reading survey offered by SmartGirl.org. Teens may complete the survey on the SmartGirl Web site at http://www.smartgirl.org/speakout/surveys.html from now until October 31, 2006.

Now in its ninth year, Teen Read Week^TM is a national literacy initiative of YALSA.  The theme for Teen Read Week^TM 2006, "Get Active! @ your library®," encourages teens to read for the fun of it and use the resources at their libraries to help them lead active lives and find books on sports, fitness, volunteerism, activism, college preparation career direction and more.

"Each year we look forward to Teen Read Week as an opportunity to encourage our visitors to be active readers," said Tiffany Marra, SmartGirl's program manager. "SmartGirl recognizes the importance of reading in the lives of teens and recognizes the invaluable contribution of Teen Read Week.  By gathering data about teen reading habits in partnership with Teen Read Week, we hope to develop a deeper understanding of what motivates teens to read and what keeps them 'Active' @ their libraries."

This is the sixth time the reading survey has been offered by SmartGirl.org. On average about 3000 young men and women have completed the survey each year and voted for the favorite book. A report that was issued based on survey results provided invaluable information to librarians about teen reading interest and habits. 

"We ask everyone to encourage all the teens they work with to take part in this survey," said YALSA President Judy Nelson. "We are appreciative that SmartGirl feels the same way we do about the value and importance of teen reading, and thank them for their commitment to the online survey."

The mission of SmartGirl, which now resides at the University of Michigan, is to provide a safe, online community where girls and boys, between the ages of 12 and 20, can express themselves.  There are currently 20,000 subscribers to their free monthly newsletter.

Teen Read Week's nonprofit supporting organizations include:  American Association of School Administrators, American Booksellers Association, Cable in the Classroom, KIDSNET, Kids Care, National Association of Secondary School Principals, National Council of Teachers of English, SmartGirl.org, National Education Association, National School Board Association, PBS, Speak Up Press, International Reading Association, TeenInk and The N/Noggin. 

Promotional Partners of Teen Read Week are Harcourt; Listening Library; Orca Book Publishers; Scholastic, Inc.; Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing; Teenreads.com; and World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.  For information and ideas about Teen Read Week and about teen reading click on www.ala.org/teenread.

For nearly 50 years, YALSA has been the world leader in selecting books, videos, and audio books for teens.  For more information about YALSA or for lists of recommended reading, viewing and listening, go to www.ala.org/yalsa/booklists, or contact the YALSA office by phone, 800-545-2433, ext. 4390; or e-mail: yalsa@ala.org.