The YA Services Section is all about teens and services for teens.  While many who attend our meetings are those who work primarily in Teen and Youth Services, we really need to hear the voices of many kinds of librarians, from all kinds of libraries.  Why?  Because teens, like young children, are not limited to a particular ethnicity, environment, religion or gender orientation but unlike young children; they are searching for things outside of their immediate family unit.  Some teens are looking for a safe space, some for a place to hang with friends, some for volunteer opportunites, and some are looking for a place to belong.  Teens inevitably become adults, and while many will have fond memories of the libraries from their childhood, it is their memories of their teenaged years that will help them decide whether the library is an essential part of their community, or a relic filled with things they don't need.  Young Adult services are always challenging but can be equally rewarding.  If you work with, plan events for, or interact with teens; consider becoming a member of the YA Services Section and getting involved. 

 

Our meetings are informative, collaborative and supportive. As members of the YA Section we work on the Garden State Teen Book Award Ballots, plan NJLA conference programs, as well as Toolbox sessions, unconferences and more.  We need to hear your voices at our meetings so that all types of libraries and all kinds of teens are represented.  Many School and YA Librarians are working on a wide array of job duties, and may not have anyone else to ask for advice. At our meetings we make time to share our knowledge, our triumphs and our failures and learn from each other in an effort to make ALL of our libraries better and build a true community throughout the state. 

 

 

CSS did such a great job that it’s a hard act to follow but YASS has some truly exceptional programming prepared for #NJLA17! Teen librarians obviously know how all the cool kids talk now, and came prepared with memes.

Oh yeah, we are hip. So let’s roll right into it, shall we?

YASS is cosponsoring so many great programs with CSS that some of them were already covered by Cassie last week! However YASS isn’t only partnering with our fellow youth service librarians, but also with many other sections for programs such as:

Library Workers Today: Strong Staff Equals Strong Service

Monday, April 24, 2017 1:00-4:30 PM

YASS has two preconferences this year, and how will you choose which one to go to? In this program, the presenters are talking about doing more with less, and what teen librarian doesn’t know how stretched the budget can be when it finally reaches the YA department? Cosponsored by CUS, Diversity and Outreach, PR, and Urban Libraries, come and learn how to give your best at work while also making sure that you’re taking care of yourself and healthy enough to do your best while you’re there.

Once preconference is over, YASS has programming on both main days of conference, so make sure you stick around!

Not sure what to do about lunch on Tuesday? Only going to the Garden State Teen Book Awards Luncheon on Wednesday and fending for yourself on Tuesday? Grab your brown bag lunch and join CSS and YASS at the CSS & YASS Brown Bag Lunch from 12:30-2:00 PM on Tuesday, April 25th. Network with other YS librarians, and come talk about how to get involved with the section of your choice.

Authors and Libraries: A Partnership for Literacy April 25th, 2017 from 4:10 PM-5:00 PM.

Our lovely flyer showcases the three authors speaking on this panel including Melanie Conklin, Laura Shovan, and Marina Budhos. How do libraries pair with authors, especially local authors, to promote literacy? Well, these ladies are here to tell you. And for us, meeting an author is like meeting a rock star.

On Wednesday is the big event! Do not miss out on your chance to see Justina Ireland speak at the Garden State Teen Book Award Luncheon. Even if you’re not a youth services librarian, it’s a great place to sit, chat with other librarians, and get a catered lunch where we always book an amazing speaker.

Justina Ireland is the author of two YA books, and we are beyond excited to have her as our guest for this year’s GSTBA! So go buy your luncheon ticket! You didn’t forget, did you?

After a nice lunch, why not try the Escape Room Challenge on Wednesday, April 26, 2017 from 3:40-4:30 PM  as a last note to end conference?

Escape rooms are still highly popular, so how exactly does one build an escape room? Inspired by Chris Grabenstein’s books, Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library (with a Skype appearance from the author!), librarians will explain how to build a fun escape room for all ages!

There are so many fantastic programs at conference that it’s hard to narrow down to just a few. Check out the full schedule for everything that’s on offer because YASS has such an amazing selection.

See you at Conference!

Stacey Shapiro and the 2016-2017 NJLA Conference Committee