YALSA and Best Buy Mobile partner to Support Digital Library Services for Teens

CHICAGO – During the American Library Association’s (ALA) 2013 Midwinter Meeting in Seattle from Jan. 25 to 29, 2013, the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) announced a partnership with Best Buy to administer donations that will expand programs and improve digital services for teens in libraries across the country.

“This partnership is so important to YALSA because it helps us make strides towards fulfilling our mission of expanding and strengthening library services for and with teens,” said Jack Martin, YALSA president.

Best Buy’s giving focus is to provide teens with access to opportunities through technology. This partnership, with funding from Best Buy, will allow YALSA to direct resources towards closing the digital divide for teens.

When Best Buy Mobile –specialty stores offering smartphones, tablets and services – opens new locations in the United States, YALSA will identify a nearby public or school library to receive a $2,000 donation from Best Buy to fund digital library resources for teens. The recipient library will have an opportunity to participate in a community celebration to promote this collaborative partnership.

YALSA will also create an online community for the libraries to receive training and support on how to best use these funds for their unique needs. The online community will also allow for interaction between fellow donation recipients to share knowledge and best practices.

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. For more information on Best Buy Mobile, visit www.bestbuy.com/mobilestores. For information on Best Buy in the community, visit http://pr.bby.com/community-relations/overview/.