Issues & Current Projects
Keep up to date on the latest projects and issues via the YALSAblog.
365 Days of YA: YALSA's 365 Days of YA Task Force is charged with creating a calendar of easy to implement ideas for
programs, services, and activities for teens. These are simple ideas that can be used by anyone working with youth in libraries. Ideas relating to YALSA resources, using technology, or encouraging teen participation in libraries are
encouraged but we want to hear about any program, service, display, or activity that has been a hit with your patrons
Please send all ideas to 365daysofya@gmail.com.
Connected Learning: Libraries have always been a place that supports learning. Connected learning is a concept that’s gaining widespread popularity among policy makers, funders, educators and those engaged in youth development. Its focus is on informal learning that goes on outside of the school day. Throughout the month of May 2013, YALSA will team up with the folks at http://connectedlearning.tv/ to facilitate online discussions about libraries, connected learning and social media.
YALSA President H. Jack Martin and Crystle Martin, Postdoctoral Researcher for the Connected Learning Research Network, will be the moderators for these free virtual chats, which will look at the roles social media and teens play in the future of public and school libraries. Crystle and Jack will facilitate discussions with Renee Hobbs, Mimi Ito, Chris Shoemaker, Wendy Stephens, Joyce Valenza and many more about the challenges surrounding leveraging social media in library programs. YALSA members are invited to participate and to share what has or has not been working in their own libraries. Participants will explore best practices from across the globe to implement in their library.
Participants can watch in real time, connect via Chat with others, and ask questions on Livestream, watch live on the Connected Learning Google+ Page, and contribute to the #futureoflibraries conversation on Twitter. Be sure to check the YALSAblog the month of May, where discussions will continue there as well.
Each virtual chat will begin at 1pm, eastern, and you can find out more on each individual series by clicking on the titles below. Please check the pages below regularly for updates as we add more speakers.
· May 2: Kick-off: Teens and the Future of Libraries
· May 7: The Importance of Youth Access to Technology in Libraries
· May 14: Effectively Leveraging Social Media in Library Programs
· May 21: Getting Library & IT Administrators On-Board with Leveraging Social Media
· May 28: Teens and the Future of Libraries: Sharing Best Practices
After the last session, connectedlearning.tv and YALSA will put together a free summary report with tools and resources for librarians and library workers to use in their library.
Badges for Librarians: with $75,000 in funds from Digital Media & Learning, YALSA is developing digital badges as a new means of delivering continuing education to its members and to the library community. Continuing education is critically important in the field of librarianship, due to the constantly changing nature of information technologies and the fact that libraries are seeing a fundamental shift from being content providers to also assisting patrons with using, creating and sharing content. The project is set to be completed by August 2013. To keep up on the latest developments, visit the YALSAblog.
E-Content: In 2012 YALSA's Board of Directors created an ad-hoc committee of the Board to gather information and resources on e-content in order to assist YALSA members and the library community with evaluating, collecting, maintaining and weeding e-content. The group will monitor trends in e-content, including apps and enhanced e-books, and compile existing resources and as needed develop new resources for YALSA members and the library community. YALSA also has a representative on ALA's OITP Digital Content Working Group, which has created a web page on e-books and digital content.
National Forum on Libraries and Teens: The Forum is a year-long grant funded effort that will bring together key stakeholders from the areas of libraries, education, technology, adolescent development and the for-profit and nonprofit sectors to explore the world of young adults and library services to this population, and ultimately produce a white paper which will provide direction on how libraries need to adapt and potentially change to better meet the needs of 21st century teens. Grant funding is generously provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. For more information, please visit http://www.ala.org/yaforum/.
Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM): In 2011 YALSA's Board of Directors established a taskforce to compile and create STEM-focused resources for librarians and library workers and to create an online space where others can share their own tips and resources. A taskforce has created a STEM Programming Toolkit.
Teen Summer Reading Programs: through generous funding from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, YALSA is creating online resources for library workers to use to enhance their summer reading programs for teens. Visit and participate in YALSA's teen summer reading online community.
