Support Teen Literature Day

YALSA CELEBRATES SUPPORT TEEN LITERATURE DAY AS PART OF NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK

Support Teen Literature Day is today, April 15, 2010. The event is celebrated every Thursday of National Library Week, by the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA) during National Library Week from April 11-17.

The purpose of Support Teen Literature Day is to raise awareness that young adult literature is a vibrant, growing genre with much to offer today’s teens. Support Teen Literature Day also seeks to showcase some award-winning authors and books in the genre, as well as highlight librarians’ expertise in connecting teens with books and other reading materials. Every year on Support Teen Literature Day, YALSA launches the Teen Read Week Web site and announces the Teens‚ Top Ten nominations, as well as Operation Teen Book Drop.

“Librarians that serve teens work closely with teens in their communities to create teen literature collections that meet the needs of the teens,” said Linda W. Braun, YALSA president. “Support Teen Literature Day is a chance for them to inform everyone in the community about what‚s available to teens at the library and why these collections are important.”

YALSA will again be part of Operation Teen Book Drop, with 10,000 new books being delivered to teens on native reservations and tribal Lands, to coincide with Support Teen Literature Day. In its third year, Operation TBD is part of a massive effort by librarians, young adult authors and avid readers to spur reading on a nationwide scale. The day aims to encourage teens to read for the fun of it.

The effort is coordinated by readergirlz, the Young Adult Library Services Association, GuysLitWire and a new partner, If I Can Read, I Can Do Anything, a national reading club for Native children.

To learn more, visit the Operation TBD Web site. The readergirlz Web site has more information, including downloadable bookplates.

In addition to participating in Operation TBD, libraries can help celebrate by displaying and recommending books that YALSA has honored through its book awards and selected lists, as well as highlighting the Teens‚ Top Ten nominations.

For more information on Support Teen Literature Day and suggestions on ways to celebrate it, click here now.