Voice of Youth Advocates

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Founded in 1978, Voice of Youth Advocates, or (VOYA), magazine is the leading library journal dedicated to the needs of young adult librarians, the advocacy of young adults, and the promotion of young adult literature and reading. Regular columns by highly-respected young adult library leaders and several feature articles appear in each issue to provide information, not only on books and reading, but also on young adult library programming, gaming, professional development, intellectual freedom, young adult author interviews and profiles, and other topics vital to librarians serving young adults. VOYA was one of the earliest and remains one of the strongest advocates for intellectual freedom and equal access to information for teens. VOYA’s regular YA Spaces article features examples, ideas, and recommendations for designing and furnishing library spaces used by teens.

Some 350 books are reviewed in each issue of VOYA, more than 2,200 per year. In addition, a growing number of online exclusive reviews appear on VOYA’s website, http://www.voyamagazine.com. Formal VOYA reviews are distinguished by the magazine’s unique and valued Q and P rating system where Quality and Popularity are ranked on a scale of 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). VOYA’s Perfect Tens, books that have received a 5Q and a 5P in the past year, are compiled in each February issue. In addition to the regular review section, several columns feature reviews and recommendations of books and other materials in several categories: graphic novels and manga; science fiction; audiobooks; books and other materials for boys; movies and DVDs, ebooks, and more. VOYA’s digital edition, available free to print subscribers and as a digital-only subscription, provides a fully searchable version of the magazine, including all advertisements and announcements.
From its inception, VOYA has adhered to three underlying principles:
  • Specialized YA library services: Young adults aged 12 to 18 deserve their own targeted library services, collections, and attention to the same extent as populations of other ages.
  • Intellectual freedom and equal access: Young adults have rights to free and equal access to information in print, nonprint, and electronic resources, without infringement of their intellectual freedom due to age or other restrictions.
  • Youth advocacy and youth participation: Youth-serving professionals must advocate for the above rights and services for youth within their libraries, schools, and communities, while providing opportunities for youth to practice decision-making and responsibility in running their own projects.

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