Young Adult Library Services Association facts for kids

The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) is a group that helps libraries serve teens better. It started in 1957 and is part of the American Library Association. YALSA works with librarians and others who care about young people. Their main goal is to make library services for teens stronger and more helpful.

YALSA also gives out special awards for books and hosts fun events like Teen Tech Week and Teen Read Week. These events happen every year to celebrate reading and technology for young adults. Over 5,200 people are members of YALSA.

How YALSA Started and Grew

The group we know as YALSA began on June 24, 1957. Back then, it was called the Young Adult Services Division (YASD). This happened after the American Library Association changed how it was organized. The old "Association of Young People's Librarians" split into two new groups: one for children's libraries and one for young adult services.

Helping Teens Find Great Books

One of YASD's first big jobs was to choose and review books for young adults. They had a very busy committee just for selecting books. YASD also spoke up for library services for young people. They sent people to important meetings like the White House Conferences on Youth in 1960 and 1971.

By the 1970s, YASD was getting stronger. It had its own office and staff. In 1979, it gained a bigger role within the ALA. YASD kept helping with book selection, even forming committees for different types of books in 1988.

Becoming YALSA and Reaching More Teens

In 1992, the group changed its name to the Young Adult Library Services Association, or YALSA. This new name helped the organization become more well-known. It also came with a new look, logo, and a clear plan for what it wanted to achieve.

In the 1990s, YALSA also started using the internet to connect with more people. They launched new programs like Teen Read Week. YALSA also began giving out important book awards, such as the Printz Award and the Alex Awards.

The ALA has given YALSA the World Book Goal award twice. This award recognizes YALSA's great work helping young adults in public libraries. Since 1994, YALSA presidents have chosen special themes for their time in office. These themes help guide their work, like "Youth Participation Revisited."

YALSA has an official magazine called Young Adult Library Services. It shares interesting articles, book reviews, and news about the organization.

Awesome Awards for Books and Authors

YALSA gives out several important awards each year. These awards celebrate the best books and authors for young adults.

• The Alex Awards
  • These awards are named after a librarian named Margaret "Alex" Edwards.
  • They are given every year to ten books written for adults that teens will especially enjoy.
  • The Alex Awards were first given out in 1998.

• The Edwards Award
  • This award is also named after librarian Margaret A. Edwards.
  • It honors an author and their collection of work. It celebrates books that have made a big and lasting impact on young adult literature.
  • The Edwards Award was first given in 1988.

• The Morris Award
  • This award is named after a publisher named William C. Morris.
  • It is given each year to the very first book published by a new author writing for teens. It celebrates exciting new voices in young adult literature.
  • The Morris Award was first given in 2009.

• The Odyssey Award
  • This award is named after Homer's ancient Greek poem, The Odyssey. It reminds us that storytelling has been around for a very long time.
  • It is given to the best audiobook for young adults.
  • YALSA and the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) work together to give out this award.
  • The Odyssey Award was first given in 2008.

• The Printz Award
  • This award is named after a librarian named Michael L. Printz.
  • It is given every year to the book that shows the best writing and storytelling in young adult literature.
  • The Printz Award was first given in 2000.

• The YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction
  • This award celebrates the best nonfiction book published for young adults (ages 12–18) in the past year.
  • The award was first given in 2010.

See also

• Young Adult Library Services
• Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC)