ALSC and YALSA Prepare for September 1 Reunification

The American Library Association’s (ALA) Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) and Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) are preparing to officially reunite on September 1, 2026, bringing together members, resources, and expertise supporting library services for children and teens under one division.

The September 1 transition marks an important milestone in a reunification process that has been underway for more than a year, guided by input and collaboration from ALSC and YALSA members, boards, committees, and staff. While the two divisions will formally come together next month, work will continue throughout the coming year to shape the identity, governance, programs, and priorities of the reunified division.

“This reunification gives us an opportunity to build something together that reflects the full spectrum of work our members do to serve children and teens,” said ALSC President Ariana Hussain. “September 1 is an important milestone, but it is also the beginning of our next phase. We will continue engaging members as we build a division that draws on the strengths, expertise, and histories of both ALSC and YALSA.”

What Members Can Expect September 1

Beginning September 1, all YALSA memberships will transition to ALSC memberships, giving members access to the resources and benefits of the reunified division. Members who currently belong to both ALSC and YALSA will likewise be part of the combined membership.

The division will continue operating under the ALSC name during the initial transition period while a comprehensive rebranding process takes place. The 2026–2027 ALSC Board of Directors will work with a consultant to develop the division’s new vision, mission, and strategic plan in alignment with the ALA Strategic Plan, while gathering input from members to help inform the division’s future identity and name.

The reunification will also bring together committee structures and volunteer opportunities. YALSA standing committees and task forces will conclude their work as currently structured on September 1, with award committees transitioning to operate within ALSC. Existing ALSC committees have been reorganized and expanded to reflect the reunified division’s broader focus on library services for children and teens. The structure is intentionally flexible during the inaugural year, allowing committees, charges, and rosters to evolve as members and leaders assess workload, capacity, and emerging needs.

Building the Reunified Division Together

Member engagement will remain central to the next phase of the reunification.

At the 2026 ALA Annual Conference in Chicago, ALSC and YALSA members participated in joint programming and conversations about the transition, including a combined membership meeting and discussions about how the reunified division can best represent professionals serving young people from birth through age 18. That engagement will continue after September 1 as members help inform the division’s new identity, terminology, strategic priorities, governance, and programs.

A Bylaws & Policy Revisions Task Force representing both children’s and teen services will recommend policy changes and develop draft bylaws for consideration by members during the 2027 election period.

Work is also underway to integrate the ALSC and YALSA websites. YALSA web content is being reviewed and preserved, with historical materials moving to the ALA Institutional Repository. Priority content, including award and committee information, will transition to the combined division website, while the broader website integration will continue into the next fiscal year.

“Our goal throughout this process has been to preserve the strengths and expertise of both communities while creating new opportunities for collaboration,” said Hussain. “There is still important work ahead, and member voices will continue to be essential as we determine what this division becomes.”

Members and others interested in following the reunification can find updates, frequently asked questions, town hall recordings, and additional resources on the ALSC Reunification webpage and YALSA Reunification webpage.

About the American Library Association
The American Library Association is the largest non-partisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to America’s libraries. The ALA mission is to empower and advocate for all libraries and library workers to ensure equitable access to information for all. For nearly 150 years, ALA has provided resources for information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. For more information, visit www.ala.org.