YALSA Offers Opportunities for Virtual Participation

Facing drastically reduced budgets, teen librarians explored options for attending conferences in person during a recent online chat sponsored by the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA).

“Obviously, YALSA can’t solve the economy problem,” says Sarah Debraski (above), the organization’s president, who hosted the June conversation with members. “But we did ask what we could do for you.” That includes more opportunities for online participation. While the American Library Association (ALA) selection and processing committees usually allow no more than one-third virtual members, says Debraski, the board plans to vote in July on creating a new reading list that would allow 100 percent virtual participation.

That sat well with many chat participants who say they dip into vacation time to attend conferences and often bear the cost themselves. Virtual means could help ease the burden. “I think a lot of members are looking for those types of participation opportunities,” wrote YALSA member Wendy Stephens.

Being able to network without leaving their jobs can also help librarians stay visible at school. That’s especially important when budget makers are looking to see which programs are essential. Case in point: the Seattle Public Library, which, a chat member told the group, plans to close not just its doors, but its Web site for a week. “That may not save money, but boy will it show how vital they are,” Debraski says. “Certainly now is the time to speak up and let your community, students, and principal think you’re not just a static collection of books.”