Recipients of Volunteer of the Year Award announced

CHICAGO – The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), awarded two recipients with the Volunteer of the Year Award. The award acknowledges the contributions of YALSA members who have demonstrated outstanding service to the mission, goals and work of YALSA during a given service year. This year the award went to Sarah Hashimoto for her work as a member of the Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults Committee and Robin Fogle Kurz, chair of this year’s William C. Morris Award Committee.

Despite joining the Amazing Audiobooks several months after the committee started, Sarah Hashimoto jumped into the work and quickly caught up. Fellow members were especially impressed with her listening and communication skills. This is her first year serving and she displayed the exemplary qualities needed for committee work, along with supporting all aspects of YALSA’s mission.

Through her leadership skills as chair, Robin Fogle Kurz earned the respect of her fellow committee members.

“Robin created an important bond and an understanding among all committee members, which is imperative while the committee, a group of very dedicated and passionate readers, comes together to discuss numerous book titles,” explained committee member, Molly Collins. “Throughout each discussion, Robin ensured that each committee member was heard, given a voice. Robin’s commitment and dedication is among the best I've seen in all my years as a YALSA member.”

Amanda Sprott-Goldson, administrative assistant of the Morris committee, agreed, saying, “She has done as much research as I have, while keeping up with all of the reading, leading the meetings, etc., all while changing jobs and moving states!”

Any official YALSA group or individual appointed to an official YALSA group is eligible for consideration for contributions to YALSA during the current calendar year. All volunteer of the year award nomination forms are due no later than Dec. 1, 2015. For more information or to nominate someone, visit the Awards and Grants section of the YALSA website.

For more than 50 years, YALSA has worked to build the capacity of libraries and library staff 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.