YALSA wins publishing grant, pro bono consulting

Contact: Stephanie Kuenn
Communications Specialis
312-280-2128
skuenn@ala.org

NEWS
For Immediate Release
March 16, 2010

CHICAGO — The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) received multiple accolades in the past month, including a $5,000 Carnegie-Whitney grant from the American Library Association’s Publications Committee and pro-bono consulting from Chicago Net Impact’s Service Corps.

YALSA will use the Carnegie-Whitney grant to publish “The Best of YALS: Teen Read Week and Teen Tech Week ,”which will highlight content from Young Adult Library Services, YALSA’s award-winning quarterly journal. Content in this volume will include best practices and planning resources for YALSA’s reading and technology initiatives YALSA plans to use this book as a springboard for a series of volumes featuring the best content from Young Adult Library Services, with the goal of creating subject guides based on YALS’ award-winning content.

“Over the past nine volumes, YALS has provided a lot of great ideas for librarians,” said YALSA President Linda W. Braun. “Having those ideas compiled in one handy volume will give librarians planning either a Teen Tech Week or Teen Read Week event a one-stop-shop for gaining inspiration.”

In addition, Chicago Net Impact awarded YALSA pro-bono consulting as part of its Service Corps initiatives. Service Corps will work with YALSA to help the organization attract corporate sponsors and partners for its initiatives and programs. Service Corps volunteers will spend the next 3-5 months analyzing YALSA’s programs and initiatives for sponsor appeal, evaluating current opportunities, and developing new materials and strategies for recruiting and maintaining sponsor relationships.

“YALSA's selection to receive consulting provides the association with opportunities for long-term skill building to continue a high-level of corporate support of YALSA initiatives such as Teen Tech Week and Teen Read Week,” Braun said.

For more than 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.