YALSA Resources To Keep Teens Reading after final Harry Potter Book

As Harry Potter's saga ends with the release of "Harry Potter and the

Deathly Hallows" on July 21, the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), can help parents, librarians, and educators keep the attention of teens hooked on Harry with read-alikes and resources for planning teen-focused programs.

"Ever since massive numbers of teens finished the first Harry Potter book and began to look for something else 'like that' to read, librarians have been faced with the welcome challenge of connecting these eager readers to new authors, series and characters," said Paula Brehm-Heeger, YALSA president. And they do welcome that challenge, noted Marin Younker, chair of YALSA's 2008 Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults (PPYA) Committee.

The committee compiles themed reading lists each year with the goal of encouraging young adults to read for pleasure by presenting them with popular or topical paperback books with teen appeal.Younker points to the nominations for the 2008 PPYA list "Magic in the Real World" as a starting point for Harry read-alikes. This list of recommended reading is meant to encourage teens to imagine what life would be like if magic really existed.

The full list of 2008 nominations, as well as other PPYA themed lists, can be found here. The final 2008 lists will be announced at ALA's 2008 Midwinter Meeting January 11-16, 2008, in Philadelphia.
Great examples of innovative programming aimed at capturing teen interests can be found in the many innovative programs recently selected by YALSA in the fifth round of Excellence in Library Services to Young Adults."For lists of recommended reading, viewing and listening, go to www.ala.org/yalsa/booklists, or contact the YALSA office by phone, 800-545-2433, ext. 4390; or e-mail: yalsa@ala.org.
--from American Libraries Direct, July 18, 2007.

Grant Opportunities

ALA and Scholastic Library Publishing Announce 2008 National Library Week Grant Libraries across the United States are invited to apply for the $5,000 Scholastic Library Publishing National Library Week Grant, which will be awarded to a single library for the best public awareness campaign incorporating the 2008 National Library Week theme, "Join the Circle of Knowledge @ Your Library."

This grant is sponsored by the Scholastic Library Publishing, and is administered by the Public Awareness Committee of the American Library Association (ALA). This year's application deadline is October 1, 2007. National Library Week is April 13-19, 2008. All proposals must use the theme, which incorporates the Campaign for America's Libraries. "@ your library" brand, on any and all promotional and publicity materials supporting National Library Week activities. Guidelines for using the brand are available on the campaign Web site under the "download logos."

A grant application form and guidelines are available on the Campaign for America's Libraries Web site. Information is also available from the ALA Public Information Office. (800-545-2433, ext. 2148; mmcfarlane@ala.org) The winner will be notified
and announced following the 2008 ALA Midwinter Meeting in Philadelphia in January. Information on last year's winner, the Minoa Elementary School in Minoa, New York, and the winning application can be views on the Campaign's Web site. Members of the National For more information about the Campaign, visit www.ala.org/@yourlibrary.
--from American Libraries Direct, May 30, 2007

Shopko Foundation Grants
The ShopKo Foundation supports local grants for organizations are working to
make their community a better place to live. Grants should focus on education, health and wellness. To apply, your community must have a ShopKo store. The quarterly Deadlines are the 1st week of February, May, August or November. For more information go to
http://librarygrants.blogspot.com/2005/08/shopko-foundation-grants.html
--from Arrowhead Library System's electronic newsletter, Monday Memo,  for
June 4, 2007.

2008 State Kick Off Training will be on October 16, 2007

At the request of the Youth Services Section (YSS) of the Wisconsin Library Association (WLA), the Division is collaborating with ten Systems to offer a fall Summer Reading Program Kick-Off Training. This will take place on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 at the Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary in Green Bay, the day before the WLA Conference. This may seem very early, but many librarians have expressed interest in a fall program to get them started on their planning. Many Systems (Nicolet included) also intend to offer spring C.E.. programs, in addition to this state-wide training. The collaborating Systems have contributed the funds to underwrite the training. As a result, the anticipated costs to the participants are primarily for lunch and breaks. 

Registration materials will be distributed in mid-August.

Collaborating Systems are Arrowhead, Eastern Shores, Indianhead,
Mantitowoc-Calumet, Milwaukee, Nicolet, South Central, Waukesha, Winnefox, and Wisconsin Valley.

- from the System Youth Liaison Posting, July 2007