cvr1 FSG bw page cvr2 The official journal of the Young Adult Library Services Association VOLUME 3 NUMBER 1 FALL 2004 ISSN 1541-4302 CONTENTS FROM THE EDITOR 2 ARTICLES FROM THE PRESIDENT 35 Publishing 101: A Guide 3 What YALSA Means to Me for the Perplexed David Mowery Publishers Offer Insight through Orlando Program and Interviews ARTICLES Roxy Ekstrom and Amy Alessio 6 Ten Years and Counting 37 YA Galley Project Gives Teens YALSA’s Serving the Underserved a New Voice Project, 1994–2004 Diane Monnier and Francisca Monique le Conge Goldsmith 13 What Does Professionalism Mean 40 Young Adults as Public for Young Adult Librarians? Library Users Dawn Rutherford A Challenge and Priority 16 Reaching Out to Young Adults Ivanka Stricevic in Jail 42 An Unscientific Study of Teen Patrick Jones TV Programming 20 Making a Difference Leslie Marlo Incarcerated Teens Speak Diana Tixier Herald THE UPDATE 44 AWARD SPEECHES 22 Margaret A. Edwards Lifetime GUIDELINES FOR Achievement Award Speech AUTHORS Ursula K. Le Guin 15 26 Michael L. Printz Award Speech INDEX TO ADVERTISERS Angela Johnson 50 28 Michael L. Printz Honor Speech K. L. Going 29 Michael L. Printz Honor Speech Helen Frost 30 Michael L. Printz Honor Speech Carolyn Mackler 33 Michael L. Printz Honor Speech Jennifer Donnelly FROM THE EDITOR amed tennis player Arthur Ashe once said, “From what we get, we can make a living; what we give, YALSA Publications Committee (performing referee duties and providing advisory input for the journal) however, makes a life.” His causes Donald Kenney, Chair, Blacksburg, Virginia were many, and he shared his Lauren Adams, Newton, Massachusetts Sophie R. Brookover, Voorhees, New Jersey Fknowledge and passions with the world. Jeanette C. Larson, Austin, Texas People who work with and advocate for Marjorie Schreiber, Sacramento, California young adults can use this quote as a daily Cassie H. Wilson, St. Marys, Ohio affirmation of what we do. How many of us Executive Director provide some sort of outreach, whether in the form of visits to Julie A. Walker schools, hospitals, jails, recreational centers, or even just reaching Division Coordinator out to that one teen who is struggling with a dilemma? Most of Cindy Welch us, I expect. I would also like to think that as libraries continue Editor to recognize the value of providing resources and programs to Jana Fine teenagers, one of the reasons has to be outreach. Circulation Young Adult Library Services (ISSN 1541-4302) is published four times a year by the Thousands of librarians and associates partner with organi- American Library Association (ALA), 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611. It is the official zations, engage audiences with good reads, plan and implement publication of the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), a division of ALA. Subscription price: members of YALSA, $20 per year, included in membership dues; non- not only tried and true teen programs, but also new and innova- members, $40 per year in the U.S.; $50 in Canada, Mexico, and other countries. Back tive activities to bring that elusive Generation Y group through issues within one year of current issue, $12 each. Periodical postage paid at Chicago, Illinois, and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Young the library doors and into a more literate future. In the Adult Library Services, 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611. Members: Address changes and Merriam-Webster Dictionary Online, one of the definitions of inquiries should be sent to Membership Department, Changes to Young Adult Library Services, 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611. Nonmember subscribers: Subscriptions, “outreach” is the extending of services or assistance beyond cur- orders, changes of address, and inquiries should be sent to Changes to Young Adult rent or usual limits. While we ultimately try for this definition, Library Services, Subscriptions, 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611; 1-800-545-2433, press we can be hampered by many obstacles. Administrative staff may 5; fax: (312) 944-2641; [email protected]. not see the overall value of outreach, especially in small rural Statement of Purpose and tribal communities where there are few staff to perform Young Adult Library Services is the official journal of the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), a division of the American Library Association. The Journal prima- even the most basic services. Larger systems also may not see the rily serves as a vehicle for continuing education for librarians serving young adults, ages big picture when it comes to frontline staff spending time out- 12 through 18. It will include articles of current interest to the profession, act as a show- case for best practices, provide news from related fields, and will spotlight significant side the workplace, especially when there may be a department events of the organization and offer in-depth reviews of professional literature. The for Outreach Services. These barriers can be overcome. Staff Journal will also serve as the official record of the organization. training can make some difference, perhaps conducted by Production YALSA’s Serving the Underserved (SUS) trainers. ALA Production Services—Troy D. Linker, Angela Hanshaw; Kristen McKulski and Karen The theme for this issue is outreach, and each article pres- Sheets, Production Editors. ents a different piece of outreach throughout the library com- Advertising munity. This year marks the tenth anniversary of the beginning The Goldman Group, 14497 N. Dale Mabry Hwy., #205N, Tampa, FL 33618. (813) 264- 2772; [email protected]. The Journal accepts advertising for goods or services of inter- of SUS, and we bring you in-depth information as well as per- est to the library profession and librarians in service to youth in particular. It encourages sonal stories of trainers. SUS has become a successful way of advertising that informs readers and provides clear communication between vendor and buyer. The Journal adheres to ethical and commonly accepted advertising practices and promoting outreach on a national level. In addition, you will reserves the right to reject any advertisement not suited to the above purposes or not con- have the opportunity to read speeches from Ursula K. Le Guin, sistent with the aims and policies of ALA. Acceptance of advertising in the Journal does the 2004 Margaret A. Edwards Award winner; Angela Johnson, not imply official endorsement by ALA of the products or services advertised. the 2004 Michael L. Printz winner; as well as Printz honorees Manuscripts Manuscripts and letters pertaining to editorial content should be sent to YALSA, 50 E. Jennifer Donnelly, Carolyn Mackler, Helen Frost, and K. L. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611; e-mail: [email protected]. Manuscripts will be sent out for Going. As you read these wonderful speeches, think about how review according to the Journal’s established referee procedures. See the “Guidelines for the authors are “reaching out” to us and the intended teen audi- Authors” in each issue for further information. ence and what an impact these books have made. Indexing, Abstracting, and Microfilm Young Adult Library Services is indexed in Library Literature, Library & Information Science There is very slender line that connects each article in this Abstracts, and Current Index to Journals in Education. Microfilm copies of Journal of Youth issue to what each of us does every day, and that is to empower Services in Libraries and its predecessor, Top of the News, are available from ProQuest/Bell the teens of today to reach out to their future. & Howell, 300 N. Zeeb Rd., Ann Arbor, MI 48106. The paper used in this publication meets the minimum requirements of American National Standard for Information Sciences-Permanence of Paper for Printed Library About the Cover Materials, ANSI Z39.48-1992. ∞ The art is adapted from ALA Graphics’s “It’s Alive” Mini © 2004 American Library Association All materials in this journal subject to copyright by the American Library Association Poster, available at www.alastore.ala.org, and reflects the may be photocopied for the noncommercial purpose of scientific or educational advance- theme for Teen Read Week 2004. For more information ment granted by Sections 107 and 108 of the Copyright Revision Act of 1976. For other photocopying, reprinting, or translating, address requests to the ALA Office of Rights and about Teen Read Week, visit www.ala.org/teenread. Permissions. 2 FALL 2004 YALS FROM THE PRESIDENT What YALSA Means to Me David C. Mowery Y=Youth Participation L=Literacy on creating advocacy tools for members; Whatever they are named—teen Teen literacy encompasses helping young increasing staff, finan- advisory group, teen advisory board, adults to develop the skills they need to cial, and volunteer resources allocated to teen library club, and so on—these seek and effectively utilize information advocacy; increasing advocacy within the groups enable young adults to actively resources. YALSA assists and promotes local community, primarily through part- participate in and guide their public libraries in this critical endeavor through nerships with strategic organizations and school libraries’ programs and the work of several of its committees, serving youth; and increasing advocacy services. Volunteer or paid opportunities discussion groups, and task forces. within the library institution. for teens cover a broad range within the Encouraging and motivating teens to During my year as YALSA president, library spectrum: serving as book read is, of course, the foundation for my action areas and concerns are: buddies to read to (and with) younger building the bond between teens and lit- 1. Adolescent Literacy. My presidential children; helping with arts and crafts eracy. We, as members of YALSA, the program in Chicago 2005 is titled programs for children; serving as “voice” for library services to young “Teen Literacy Is a Four-Letter Word: computer coaches to library customers adults, must continue to convey the Reading Equity of Access Advocacy of all ages; helping children with absolute importance of a lifelong love of Diversity.” If you have thoughts, sug- homework; performing outreach reading and learning.