YALSA Mission Statement
The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) is a national association of librarians, library workers and advocates whose mission is to expand and strengthen library services for teens, aged 12-18. Through its member-driven advocacy, research, and professional development initiatives, YALSA builds the capacity of libraries and librarians to engage, serve and empower teens.
The Young Adult Library Services Association:
- Advocates the young adult's right to free and equal access to materials and services, and assists librarians in handling problems of such access.
- Evaluates and promotes materials of interest to adolescents through special services, programs and publications, except for those materials designed specifically for curriculum use (as per ALA Council directive).
- Identifies research needs related to young adult service and communicates those needs to the library academic community in order to activate research projects.
- Stimulates and promotes the development of librarians and other staff working with young adults through formal and continuing education.
- Stimulates and promotes the expansion of young adult service among professional associations and agencies at all levels.
- Represents the interests of librarians and staff working with young adults to all relevant agencies, governmental or private, and industries that serve young adults as clients or consumers.
- Creates and maintains communication links with other units of ALA whose developments affect service to young adults.
