Book Wholesalers, Inc./YALSA Collection Development Grant winners announced
Contact: Nichole Gilbert
YALSA
312-280-4387
For Immediate Release
January 24, 2006
Book Wholesalers, Inc./YALSA Collection Development Grant winners announced
CHICAGO - Two public librarians, Karin Thogersen of Huntley Area Public Library (Ill.) and Rachel Orozco of the Rita and Truett Smith Public Library (Texas), have been named winners of the Book Wholesalers, Inc./Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) Collection Development Grant, administered by YALSA, the fastest growing division of the American Library Association (ALA).
The grant, $1,000 donated by Book Wholesalers, Inc., is for collection development and is given to YALSA members who represent a public library and who work directly with young adults ages 12-18. The grant was announced at the ALA Midwinter Meeting, January 20-23, 2006 in San Antonio.
The first recipient is Huntley Area Public Library in Huntley, Ill., serving a population of 35,000, with a teen collection of 5,000 items. Using their current resources, Thogersen has developed several innovative programs tying popular books with activities – such as a jean decorating program paired with the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants books and movie.
In November, the library offered an anime/manga contest sparked by interest and demand. With requests for graphic novels pouring in, and so few remaining on the shelves, Thogersen indicates that this grant will be used to “develop the library's collection of graphic novels—a collection that needs to be expanded based on its high circulation and on comments from young adults themselves.”
The second recipient is the Rita and Truett Smith Public Library in Wylie, Texas, a progressive city that recently approved a bond for the construction of a new 25,000 square foot library. This new building will include a dedicated teen space and increased teen service, something that had been lacking in the past as library service had traditionally focused on children.
The grant will assist with the start-up of a young adult collection, providing the library with a foundation on which to build young adult service. Orozco reports that the goal this year is to make teens “feel important in our library and community by offering a collection that meets their needs and programs that meet their interests.”
This year's Publisher's Liaison committee members who selected the winners are: David Hrivnak, chair, Peoples Library (Pa.); Linda Benson, Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA), Lanham, Md.; Jennifer M. Duffy, Kingsgate Library (Wash.); Roxy L. Ekstrom, Schaumburg Township District Library (Ill.); Phyllis D. Fisher (N.Y.); Kimberley Hrivnak, Allegheny County Library Association (Pa.); Judy Sasges, Sno-Isle Libraries (Wash.); Gail C. Tobin Schaumburg Township District Library (Ill.); Lisa Von Drasek, Bank Street College of Education (N.Y.); Lauren L. Wohl, Roaring Brook Press (Conn.).
