From the Editor

Sarah Flowers

First, I would like to introduce myself. I am the new Editor-in-Chief of YALS. I have been a YALSA member for 20 years, and YALSA has been a critical part of my professional life. I have been on numerous YALSA committees, both selection and process, and I served a 3-year term on the YALSA board of directors. In 2007, I was privileged to be able to guest-edit an issue of YALS, and I jumped at the chance to become the regular editor when the position came open this spring. I have worked in public libraries as a young adult librarian, a supervisor of adult and young adult services, a community library manager, and, most recently, as Deputy County Librarian for the Santa Clara County Library in California. Thanks to the YALSA staff and board of directors for having confidence in me.

I know I have a lot to live up to. YALS has just received an Award of Excellence from the APEX Awards for Publication Excellence, the second year in a row that YALS has achieved this honor. I am counting on you, the YALSA members, to help me keep this journal bright and fresh and full of interesting and useful articles. Please send your article ideas to me at yalseditor@ gmail.com. I am looking forward to increasing YALS’ web presence and giving new members an opportunity to share their experience and expertise with all of us.

Now, more than ever, we need to rely on one another to provide the best possible service to teens in libraries. In tough economic times, libraries are often targets of budget cuts, and teen services can sometimes take a disproportionate hit. This issue of YALS will give you some ideas about how to cope. Check out Audra Caplan’s article on defending your young adult services budget and Charli Osborne’s ideas for coming up with teen programs that are successful and fun, but cheap! Find out what other librarians are doing to supplement their income. Amy Pelman and her Partnerships Advocating for Teens (PAT) committee have some suggestions about making your dollars go farther by collaborating with a school or public library in your area. Christine Ayar and Elsie Tep share ideas about how to stretch your YA resources. And because life goes on, good economy or bad, Jessi Snow gives you practical tips on working with foster youth in your community, Liz Burns has some important tips about something you may never have thought of–using large print books with teens, and Madelene Barnard shares some resources on bullying. I hope everyone finds something of interest or use in this issue and I hope that you will continue to share with me your ideas for future issues.

Meanwhile, please feel free to contact me, and look for me at Midwinter in Boston! YALS