ALA will be webcasting the Youth Media Awards, including the Printz, live on January 26 at 7:45 am Mountain time. Space is limited, so get there early! I will be attending the press conference in Denver, and will be posting the results as they are announced to the Youth Services Notes blog.
Find out more about the webcast on the ALA website.
CHICAGO —The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), announced that the Margaret A. Edwards Trust is the new sponsor of its award for outstanding young adult reading or literature programs. The award will now be known as the MAE Award for the Best Literature Program for Teens.
The award honors a YALSA member for developing an outstanding reading or literature program for young adults. Winners receive $500 and an additional $500 for their libraries. Applications for the MAE Award, along with all of YALSA’s grants and awards, are due to the YALSA office by Dec. 1.
“This award for the best literature program for teens now joins other esteemed YALSA awards supported by the trust, such as the Alex Awards and the Excellence in Library Service to Young Adults project,” said Sarah Cornish Debraski, YALSA President. “It is fitting to have this award supported by the trust as Margaret Edwards was a true believer and innovator in bringing young adults and books together.”
Edwards was a well-known and innovative young adult services librarian at Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore, Md., for more than 30 years. Her trust has supported many initiatives from YALSA, including the Alex Awards for adult books with teen appeal and all five rounds of the Excellence in Library Service to Young Adults project.
For more than 50 years, YALSA has been the world leader in selecting books, videos, and audio books for teens. For more information about YALSA or for lists of recommended reading, viewing and listening, go to www.ala.org/yalsa/booklists, or contact the YALSA office by phone at 1-800-545-2433, ext. 4390 or by e-mail at yalsa@ala.org.
The Verizon Tech Savvy Awards are being offered to libraries, schools, and community-based organizations. The deadline to apply is Jan. 11, 2008. This program is made possible by the National Center for Family Literacy. The Verizon Tech Savvy Awards honor programs that improve parents and children’s understanding and use of technology. According to the National Center for Family Literacy, this award is the first of its kind in the nation. The amount of the grant that will be awarded is $25,000. If you have any questions, contact the National Center for Family Literacy at (502) 584-1133.
For more information, visit
http://www.famlit.org/site/c.gtJWJdMQIsE/b.2180327.
… but this time, not for great books — for great book carts! Overdue Media, publishers of the Unshelved comic strip, held a “Pimp My Bookcart Contest” with the winning prize going to a library and its teens! Many teen groups received runners-up and honorable mentions too. They plan to do it again next year, so it could be a fun project for a TAB or just as a stand-alone program!
