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YSS is open to anyone interested in promoting, supporting and improving library services to young people.
Just select the YSS Interest Group on your MLA membership page or email YSS for assistance!
Check out this informational slide show to learn a little about YSS.
Questions? Contact chair Kelley Blue at yss@mainelibraries.org.
Activities & Projects
Some of the projects supported by the YSS are:
- Performer's Showcase: We collected reviews from librarians around the state and put them together in a handy document for you.
- Beg, Borrow, Steal: Our fall event where librarians are invited to bring programs to share and questions to ponder. Read notes from past meetings.
- Summer Reading Planning sessions: Our spring event where librarians can talk about all things summer reading! We welcome libraries that use CSLP and those that don't. Read notes from past planning sessions.
- Maine Youth Librarians: A Facebook group to share ideas relating to youth services in libraries.
- The YouthServices-L mailing list provides a professional connection for Maine's Youth Services Librarians, academic, public and school, offering an avenue of discussion pertaining uniquely to all aspects of children's services, including literature, programming, policies, administrative and other issues, concerns, and topics within the field.
YSS Committee:
- Chair: Kelley Blue, Portland Public Library
- Vice Chair: Jennifer Benham, Prince Memorial Librrary
- Past Chair: Brandie Burrows, Yarmouth School Department
- Past Chair: Danielle Fortin, McArthur Library
- Mary Beckett, Edythe-Dyer Library
- Deanna McNamara, McArthur Public Library
- Jon Roy, Curtis Memorial Library
- Kayla Chase, Auburn Public Library
- Samantha Cote, Windham Public Library
- Kara Reiman, Maine State Library
Youth Literature Awards in Maine
Maine Student Book Award (MSBA) - The Maine Student Book Award is designed to expand literary horizons of students in grades 4-8 by encouraging them to read, evaluate, and enjoy a selection of new books and to choose a statewide favorite by written ballot each spring. The MSBA is a joint project of the Maine Library Association, Maine Association of School Libraries, and Maine Literacy Council.
North Star Book Award - The North Star Award is designed to encourage young adults to read for fun. Our goal is to help teens feel empowered by selecting a statewide favorite to share with the world. The North Star Award is a joint project of the Maine Library Association, Maine Association of School Libraries, and Maine Literacy Council.
The Lupine Award for best picture or youth books with a Maine connection.
The Katahdin Award to recognize an outstanding body of work by a Maine author/illustrator of children's or youth literature.
July, 2023: The Lupine and Katahdin Award Committee are no longer overseen by the MLA Youth Services Section. Once we have more information on the future of these awards and who to contact for nominations, we will post to this page.