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Sorry this is so long here I sent a message to LM_NET and the TLC listservs regarding an item that popped up suddenly right before the ALA conference last week in Chicago, about the possibility of the YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Association) board eliminating the BBYA (Best Books for Young Adults) committee and list. It was interesting that the action item was vaguely titled “Modernizing Selected List Portfolio”. [http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/yalsamemonly/boarddocumentsa/boarddocs.cfm] But in the document relating to this action item, it was clear that the target was the Best Books for Young Adults committee. Here’s part of that document: "Rationale 79 years ago when YALSA launched the Best Books for Young Adults list, it served as a one-of-a-kind resource for librarians serving teens. In the decades since the launch of the list: · YALSA has added a number of other lists that focus on a variety of formats and genres, including lists devoted to adult titles, graphic novels and YA nonfiction. Increasingly in recent years there has been noticeable overlap between BBYA and other lists. The lists that have been established since BBYA therefore supplant the need for one generic list of best books selected by a small group of librarians. · The number of adult and YA books published in a given year has grown dramatically since the 1930s when BBYA was established. · The YALSA membership has indicated they want YALSA to find ways to allow for greater participation in the development of selected lists. · There is concern among member leaders that the BBYA list, as it is now, is not useful to many members or the library community. · Multiple BBYA Committees have raised a concern about the workload and other issues, but despite multiple attempts no viable solutions have been found. " There was a groundswell of support for the BBYA list that seemed to be a surprise, and the action item was downgraded to a discussion item before the board meeting. I myself received many, many expressions of support and consternation, with one person suggesting that we need more lists with input from teens. About 30-40 people were in the audience at the YALSA board meeting. Those wishing to speak were limited to 2 minutes, then 1 as the time passed, then 30 seconds, because the board wanted to move on to other agenda items. They opened a can of worms and had to limit speakers when more than they anticipated wanted to talk. Speakers in support of BBYA’s continuation included former committee chairs, library school instructors, librarians in the field, and members of other committees such as the Newbery and Printz awards. The BBYA committee does have problems: many people drop off after a year or two because of lack of funding for conferences and consternation about the reading load, every book nominated (upwards of 200 each year) is not read by every committee member as is required, new committee members don’t really know the amount of reading involved (about a book a day) ahead of time, and many people are not aware that there is a field nomination process for suggestions from teens and librarians (here’s the link to that: http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/booklistsawards/bestbooksya/nominatetitle.cfm ) So----thanks for your support. I just thought you might like an update from my point of view. It wouldn’t hurt to tell the YALSA board of your concerns, but I think they are getting the message. I hope the BBYA committee will benefit from the YALSA board scrutiny, and come out the better for it. Sorry to be so long winded. Diane -- Diane Roberts Best Books for Young Adults Committee 2010 Saint Thomas High School 4500 Memorial Drive Houston, TX 77007 www.sths.org diane.roberts@sths.org -------------------------------------------------------------------- Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law. You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book. To change your LM_NET status, you send a message to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL 3) SET LM_NET MAIL 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST * LM_NET Help & Information: http://lmnet.wordpress.com/ * LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/ * EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://lm-net.info/join.html * LM_NET Supporters: http://lmnet.wordpress.com/category/links/el-announce/ --------------------------------------------------------------------