Teen Read Week

Teen Read Week 2009 will be celebrated Oct. 18-24! This year's theme is “Read Beyond Reality @ your library”, which encourages teens to read something out of this world, just for the fun of it.

Registration is now open at http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/teenreading/trw/trw2009/registration.cfm. The first 100 registrants will receive a free graphic translation of Fahrenheit 451. You can download the Teens’ Top Ten nominations at http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/teenreading/teenstopten/teenstopten.cfm. The Teens' Top Ten allows teens to voice their choice for their favorite books each year. The 2009 nominations, chosen by teens in 15 book groups across the country, are available now. Encourage teens to read nominees, then vote for the Teens' Top Ten between August 24 and Sept

ember 18. Winners will be announced during Teen Read Week in a webcast featuring World Wrestling Entertainment Superstars and Divas.

Teen Read Week is an initiative of YALSA, and started in 1998. Why is it important to celebrate? For a lot of reasons! Teens have so many options for entertainment, so it's important to remind them to spend time reading for pleasure: it's free, fun, and can be done anywhere! Research shows that teens who read for fun have better test scores and are more likely to succeed in the workforce. Also, it’s a great chance to let your school or your public library communities know how important teen services are! Let teens know the possibilities that exist within your doors, and within the covers of books.

Bits from Barb

ALTAFF and Nordstrom to Award 20 matching Books for Babies Grants in 2009

In partnership with Nordstrom, the Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations (ALTAFF), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), will award 20 grants for $500 each to match $1,000 raised by selected Friends of the Library groups, women's groups, libraries and other non-profit organizations for purchasing Books for Babies kits from ALTAFF.


Books for Babies is a national literacy program that acquaints parents of newborns with the important role they play in the development of their children. Parents are presented with a Books for Babies kit containing a board book for baby, baby's first library card and a variety of brochures with reading tips and early literacy information from nationally recognized educational organizations. Organizations such as Friends of the Library groups, Women's Clubs and Junior Leagues purchase Books for Babies packets. Groups often supplement the packets with information about local resources, including library locations and contact information, as well as details about lapsit and preschool story hours.


In 2008, more than 5,000 Books for Babies kits were distributed to newborns and their parents through a year-long partnership with Nordstrom. Ten matching grants will be awarded in October with an application deadline of Oct. 1.

Additional information and the application form can be found online at www.folusa.org/outreach/bfbgrants.php. Any type of non-profit organization with a current program or interested in starting a Books for Babies program is encouraged to apply.



UW Eau Claire Course in YA Fiction

Writing and Publishing Young Adult Fiction with Marsha Qualey (0.7 CEUs) Interested in writing and publishing fiction for the young adult (YA) audience? Participants will discuss craft issues relevant to YA fiction, study master writers in the genre and take a close look at trends in publishing for this unique group.
Saturday, October 24, 2009, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. UW-Eau Claire.
Presenter: Marsha Qualey is the author of nine published young adult novels and is an Assistant Professor for Hamline University's Master of Fine Arts in Writing for Children and Young Adults.
Fee: $95.00

YALSA Offers Three Fall Courses

The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), will offer three online courses this fall:
AIMing at Tweens Advising, Involving, Motivating, taught by Teri Lesesne
Graphic Novels and Teen Readers: The Basics and Beyond, taught by Francisca Goldsmith
Reaching Teens with Gaming, taught by Beth Gallaway.

AIMing at Tweens and Graphic Novels and Teen Readers both meet for four weeks. Reaching Teens with Gaming meets for six weeks. All courses begin Oct. 5. To read course descriptions, please visit www.ala.org/yalsa and click on "Online Courses."

Registration for YALSA's online courses is available at dpi.wi.gov/pld/ys-postings.html now through Oct. 2. Four-week courses cost $135 for YALSA members and students, $175 for ALA members and $195 for nonmembers. Six-week courses cost $149 for YALSA members, $195 for ALA members and $215 for nonmembers.

Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more, and all YALSA e-courses are available for licensing; contact Amy Gelbman at agelbman@ala.org or 1 (800) 545-2433, ext. 5293, for more information.

Better World Books/ NCFL Libraries and Families Award

The Better World Books/National Council on Family Literacy (NCFL) Libraries and Families Award will reward and enhance family programming in library settings. The three $10,000 grants awarded each year will connect more families to their local libraries and expand their literacy efforts in new and innovative ways. One winner will be chosen from each of the three following categories: local Friends of the Library programs, public/academic libraries and urban libraries. For more information go to www.famlit.org/libraries-and-families-award

System Youth Services Liaison Posting
Barbara Huntington, DLTCL
August 2009