YALSA receives grant from IMLS to host National Forum on Teens and Libraries

CHICAGO — The Young Adult Library Services Association, a division of the American Library Association, was awarded grant funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) in the amount of $99,937. The funds will be used to host a year-long National Forum on Teens and Libraries, which will include face-to-face and online meetings and conversations about the status of library services for and with teens. The result will be a white paper that YALSA envisions will provide a plan on how libraries can best design and implement teen services in the years to come.

“The National Forum represents a vital and groundbreaking turning point for young adult services in all types of libraries. This is the first time where experts from across the country will come together to build a road map for the future of library services for and with teens,” Jack Martin, YALSA president said.

As part of the project, a summit will be held Jan. 23 – 24, 2013 in Seattle where invitees will participate in two days of in-depth discussions around why teens need libraries, what the needs of today’s teens are and what library services for and with teens should look like in the future. The event will be facilitated by ALA President Maureen Sullivan. In the months following the summit, online town hall meetings will be offered to solicit input from the library, education and other communities interested in serving teens through libraries.

About the IMLS

The IMLS is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 123,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. Through grant making, policy development, and research, IMLS helps communities and individuals thrive through broad public access to knowledge, cultural heritage, and lifelong learning.

About YALSA

For more than 50 years, YALSA has worked to build the capacity of libraries and librarians to engage, serve and empower teens. For more information about YALSA or to access national guidelines and other resources go to www.ala.org/yalsa, or contact the YALSA office by phone, (800) 545-2433, ext. 4390; or e-mail: yalsa@ala.org.