Getting on an ALSC/YALSA Award Committee

A question that often comes up in conversation or meetings with people who have served on ALSC youth media awards committees is how one goes about serving in this capacity. We all share our own journey - the experience that helped us in being considered; whether we were appointed or elected, and so on.

A recent ALSC blog post by Kelly Depin, a member of the School Age Services committee as well as the 2025 Newbery committee does a great job breaking down some ways, besides ALA membership in ALSC, YALSA, and other roundtables, for you to start working on your bona fides. Kelly writes: "How do you get to be on a committee like this? While it’s possible, it is going to require some work on your part. "

To read her tips, please stop here. [How to Get on a Youth Media Award Committee. Depin, Kelly. ALSC blog. Februray 23, 2025]

And if you are an ALSC member and are interested in committee work, now is the perfect time to volunteer your time and talents! From the most recent ALSC newsletter published February 18, 2025, here is a call to volunteer!

Interested in Committee Work? Be Sure To Fill Out ALSC's Volunteer Form Now!   If you're interested in serving on an ALSC committee for the 2025-2026 term, now is the time to fill out our volunteer form!   Committee work is a fantastic way to make a difference at ALSC, as well as allowing you to make new connections and develop your leadership skills. Many of our process committees meet and work virtually, so you can be involved no matter where you are.   Learn more about the appointment process here, and see a full list of committees here.   And once you're ready, you can access the volunteer form here!

LEARN MORE

Conference Committees Seeking Volunteers!

The WAAL, WAPL, and WLA Annual Conference committees are each seeking volunteer committee members.  Gain valuable leadership experience, build relationship with other WLA members, and have fun planning our spring and fall conferences.  

 To learn more and volunteer, contact:

• WAAL Conference = Nicole Breed, Conference Chair (nbreed@cvtc.edu)
  
  
• WAPL Conference = WAPL Chair David Kranz (dkranz@swls.org) or past WAPL Conference Chair, Teresa Schmidt (director@mercerpubliclibrary.org) 
  
  
• WLA Annual Conference = Barry McKnight, Conference Chair (bmcknight@lacrosselibrary.org ) 

REMINDER: WI Children's Book Award Committee wants YOU!

Hello YSS members!

Are you an adult who loves reading children's and teen books?  Would you like to critically discuss excellent youth books with your peers?  If so, please consider applying for WLA's Children's Book Award Committee (CBAC)!  The CBAC, as a long-standing sub-committee of YSS, annually bestows the Burr/Worzalla Award and Notable Children's Author/Illustrator Award upon Wisconsin's best and brightest book creators.

The CBAC is looking to fill 2 vacant committee seats starting in 2020.  We are seeking a diverse group hailing from all areas of our delightful state.  The committee will meet three times, in person, during the Spring of 2020 to deliberate and decide.  If you are interested, please review the committee duties and submit the following via email to CBAC Chair Aimee Schreiber (a.schreiber@wrlsweb.org):

1. Name, Job Title, Library, and City
2. Are you a current member of WLA and YSS?
3. Please describe your professional library work experience, including any reviewing experience and/or WLA committee work.
4. Please detail your reading preferences, including any areas of special interest.
5. Why should we consider you for a position on this committee?

Applications are due by end of day, Sunday, December 8.  If you have any questions or concerns please don't hesitate to contact Aimee via email.

YSS Seeking Children's Book Award Committee Members: Application Deadline Dec. 16

Submitted by Abby Bussen, Muskego Public Library, Children's Book Award Committee Chair 2019

Are you an adult who loves reading kid and teen books? Do you like to critically discuss those excellent books with your peers? If so, not only do you have great taste, you might also make a fine addition to one of WLA's coolest and best committees, the Children's Book Award Committee (CBAC)! The CBAC annually bestows the Burr/Worzalla Award and Notable Children's Author/Illustrator upon Wisconsin's best and brightest talents.

The CBAC is seeking applicants to fill three vacant committee positions starting in 2019. We are seeking a diverse group hailing from all areas of our strangely shaped state. Interested persons should review the committee duties and submit a completed application by the end of the day on Sunday, December 16. 

Applications may be submitted to Chairperson Abby Bussen (abbybussen@gmail.com). Interested persons with questions about committee member responsibilities are also welcome to contact Abby via email.

Thanks for considering and may the odds be *ever* in your favor!

WI Children's Book Awards Committee Open Seats!

Have a passion for children's books by Wisconsin authors and illustrators?  Join the Children's Book Awards Committee!  The Committee is responsible for determining the recipient of the Elizabeth Burr/Worzalla Award for distinguished achievement in children's literature, selecting up to ten books to honor with Outstanding Achievement recognition, and adding to the Notable Wisconsin Authors/Illustrators list.

For more information on the Committee, click HERE.
Find the application to serve on the Committee HERE.

Completed applications can be sent to Terry Ehle at tehle@lesterlibrary.org

Chances to Get Involved with YSS

Happy summer! 

YSS has been busy planning a terrific WLA Conference for everyone this fall, please watch for more details about what is coming up.  In the meantime, we are looking for a few volunteers to help us plan activities/displays/YSS presence at our booth in the WLA Conference Exhibit Hall.  Are you interested?  Please send me an email and we'll get you on a committee!

YSS is also looking for a new WEBMASTER for the pages on the Wisconsin Library Association (WLA) website--someone to work with the YSS Secretary to update the YSS Web Pages.  Many thanks to Krissy Wick for doing this task for several years!  We need someone who is flexible, organized, and reasonably tech-savvy to help us make the most of our web presence.  It will probably require about 1-2 hours each month (give or take a little).  Please let me know if you are interested in this, and I will be happy to send you a job description and talk to you a little more about it.  This is a great way to get involved in YSS!

Thanks, I hope to hear from some of you.  Best wishes for a great August!
Leah Langby
YSS Chair

YSS Board Meeting Minutes from March 10, 2016

Here are the minutes from the most recent YSS Board meeting.  This is what is happening behind the scenes when your board gets together. Also, you're invited to the Youth Services Section (YSS) Membership Meeting/Meet and Greet at WAPL 2016 on Thursday, May 12 from 5:30 to 7:00 pm to learn about what the Youth Services Section is up to, meet fellow members and board members, and share your ideas of things you'd like to see us do! Prospective and new members welcome, too.

YSS Meeting Agenda

March 10, 2016 12:30 

YSS advocates for professional empowerment, collaboration, and innovative, inclusive, and intentional service.

Members present: Kelsey, Katherine, Leah, Marge, Emily, Ashley, Ashley, Terry, Julie

Approve Agenda

Leah asked for a motion to approve. Katherine motioned, Terry second. Agenda was approved.

Old Business:

YSS Powerhouse Presents report

·         Kelsey and Katherine will be giving a webinar on changing children’s collections April 1^st (IFLS is sponsoring)

·         On May 9 from 10-11 am, NWLS is hosting Transitions and Transformations with Sharon Grover, Dawn Wacek and Sue Abrahamson."

·         Then there are two more in fall. One is set the other Ashley T-M will be working on setting up.

·         Other general discussion about YSS Powerhouse Presents webinars

Early Literacy Calendar report

·         Five people have committed to contribute to the Early Literacy Calendar. 

·         There will be a blog post follow up to request more contributors. Tips are due May 15.

·         There will be a direct email sent to SOIS and SLIS about having students join YSS. 

Task lists, job descriptions and plans

·         Leah, Ashley, Terry and Marge will meet to go over these documents and revise as necessary. 

·         The Board will discuss and final drafts will be uploaded to the Dropbox.

WLA Conference Committee report/update

·         Marge will be the contact point for all program proposals. All proposals will be submitted by the Unit Reps.  There will be a Google Form for this.

·         We are considering ways to promote the books by the author coming to the YSS Luncheon (Bill Konigsburg) and to promote the winners of the Burr/Worzolla Children’s Book Award, with some virtual stuff before the conference and/or in-person discussions at the conference.

·          

WLA Pre-Conference Committee report/update

·         Terry, Tessa and Kelsey are working on an outline for the preconference.

·         They are thinking of using a “TED” talk format for the presentations, followed by discussion and a take away activity.

·         82 librarians responded to the survey and the top three most requested topics included programming, embedded librarians and partnerships.

·         Similar to the Teen Pre Conference, there would be a passive program display during the snack break.  The CCBC will also have a display for school aged children. 

·         The price has not currently been set for the preconference.  WLA recommended the 100% increase for nonmembers. So if the cost is $20 for members it would be $40 for nonmembers. 

WLA Board Rep discussion

·         Leah mentioned that there have been a few things related to the system redesign process that have made her concerned that youth services issues still have the potential to be forgotten and we need to consider this when thinking about changing the way the WLA board representation is handled.

·         General discussion regarding possible board representative nominees was held.

·         Marge reminded everyone that she is planning on completing her term as board rep and that this subject doesn’t need to be decided immediately; we have three years to think it over and decide if and how we wanted to change the way the Board Rep position works.

·         There was some general discussion regarding the position and how it might be changed and who the stakeholders are.  Marge suggested that this be a discussion at a board retreat.

·         This discussion was tabled until the next meeting. This will be an ongoing topic of discussion, but may not be discussed at every monthly meeting.

·         Discussion was added to the September agenda.

New Business:

WAPL Welcome Wagon/Membership Committee

·         Dawn Wacek (current WAPL Chair) suggested that this be done to welcome new librarians and help them get a foothold and to recruit new members.

·         Discussion was held and it was emphasized that we are just at the beginning and will be taking small steps to make this happen.

Ashley B. moved to adjourn and Kelsey seconded.  The meeting was adjourned at 1:15 PM.