Registration open for YALSA’s 2012 YA Lit Symposium

CHICAGO —The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) opened registration for its third Young Adult Literature Symposium, Nov. 2–4, at the Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch in St. Louis, Mo. Early bird pricing begins at $195 for YALSA members; registration is available at www.ala.org/yalitsymposium.

The 2012 theme is “The Future of Young Adult Literature: Hit Me with the Next Big Thing.” The Young Adult Literature Symposium is funded in part by the William C. Morris Endowment.

Registration for the symposium includes a welcome reception on Friday night, educational sessions on Saturday and Sunday, coffee breaks on Saturday and Sunday, a reception on Saturday evening and a general closing session on Sunday. Details, including a preliminary program, are available at www.ala.org/yalitsymposium by clicking on “Programs and Presenters.”

Early bird registration costs

• $195 for YALSA members and Missouri Library Association members;
• $245 for ALA personal members;
• $300 for nonmembers; and
• $50 for students

Rooms at the Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch are offered at a special rate for registrants of $105 per night.

YALSA will also offer pre-symposium special events that require additional registration on Friday, including:

• A half-day forum on dystopian teen literature ($59);
• A half-day forum on engaging students with e-readers and social networking ($59);
• A half-day forum on new trends in publishing for teens and ($59); and
• A guided library tour of public libraries in St. Louis ($25)

In addition, symposium attendees can register for one of two Bill Morris Memorial Author Luncheons, featuring David Levithan ("Boy Meets Boy"; "The Lover’s Dictionary") or Patricia McCormick ("Sold," "Purple Heart"). Tickets for each luncheon cost $45.

To read program descriptions, download the preliminary program, find out how to reserve a hotel room and see the full list of registration rates, visit www.ala.org/yalitsymposium.

For more than 50 years, YALSA has been the world leader in selecting books, videos and audiobooks 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.