Through matching gift, YALSA raises more than $1,200 for needy teens

CHICAGO — After a December fundraising drive, the Young Adult Library Services Association raised more than $1,200 for the division’s Books for Teens initiative. YALSA’s goal was to raise $500 in December 2011 to trigger a matching gift from an anonymous donor. Through its Causes.com fundraising page and GiveALA, YALSA raised $800 from its members. With the matching gift, that means YALSA raised $1,280 in December to provide teens in low-income communities access to high-quality, recently published, age-appropriate books. The December funding alone will allow YALSA to purchase 85 young adult hardcover books.

Books for Teens’ mission is to empower the nation’s at-risk teens to achieve more by providing them with free high-quality, new, age-appropriate books. Funds raised through Books for Teens will be distributed to libraries in communities with a high level of poverty, where teen services librarians will purchase and distribute new books, encourage teens to get library cards and provide teens with reading-focused events and activities.

“It's inspiring to see so many people show that they support the need to provide access to books to underserved teens,” said Linda Braun, YALSA’s financial advancement committee chair. “The generosity of these individuals is greatly appreciated.”

Although the matching period is over, YALSA continues to accept donations for the Books for Teens program. Donations can be made through the Books for Teens’ Causes page, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/booksforteens, or through the American Library Association fundraising page (make sure to select ALA Divisions and Offices and scroll down to YALSA, then select Books for Teens).

For more than 50 years, YALSA has been the world leader in selecting books, videos and audiobooks for teens. For more information about these awards or for additional lists of recommended reading, go to www.ala.org/yalsa/booklists. For more information about YALSA, please contact us via e-mail, yalsa@ala.org, or by phone, at 1 (800) 545-2433 ext. 4390.