Support Teen Literature Day planned for April 19

Contact: Nichole Gilbert

YALSA

312-280-4387

ngilbert@ala.org

For Immediate Release

February 22, 2007

Support Teen Literature Day planned for April 19

CHICAGO - The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), the fastest growing division of the American Library Association (ALA), is celebrating its first ever Support Teen Literature Day on April 19, as part of ALA’s National Library Week celebration.

Support Teen Literature Day will include an event with the Chicago Public Schools featuring local authors and the band High Strung. The event also will be the official launch of YALSA’s 2007 Teen Read Week initiative, which will be celebrated October 14-20, 2007, with the theme “LOL @ your library.” The humor theme is meant to encourage teens nationwide to make time to read something light and entertaining just for the fun of it.

Librarians all across the country are encouraged to participate in Support Teen Literature Day by hosting events in their library on that day. The purpose of this new celebration is to raise awareness among the general public that young adult literature is a vibrant, growing genre with much to offer today’s teens.

“With nearly 3,000 new books being published each year for teens, it is no wonder that young adult literature is the fastest growing segment of publishing,” said YALSA President Judy Nelson.

Support Teen Literature Day also seeks to showcase some award-winning authors and books in the genre as well as highlight librarians’ expertise in connecting teens with books and other reading materials.

“This event gives librarians the perfect opportunity to feature the 2007 Michael Printz Award winning novel, “American Born Chinese” by Gene Yang,” said Gail Tobin, chair of YALSA’s Publishers’ Liaison Committee, which is the group spearheading the planning for Support Teen Literature Day.

For 50 years, YALSA has been the world leader in selecting books, films, and audiobooks for teens. For more information about these events or for lists of recommended reading, viewing or listening for teens, go to www.ala.org/yalsa/booklists. For more information about YALSA, please contact us via e-mail, yalsa@ala.org; or by phone at 1-800-545-2433 ext. 4390.