Running Head: B.

Elliot_YOUNG ADULT SPECIALISTS TOOLBOX

Young Adult Specialists Toolbox

By Briana Elliot
13 August 2014
LIBR 261-A
For
Dr. Anthony Bernier
San Jos State University
School of Library and Information Science

Running Head: B. Elliot_YOUNG ADULT SPECIALISTS TOOLBOX

Introduction
Presented from the perspective of an experienced YA Specialist
Librarian working within a public library environment, this
annotated bibliography will be arranged topically. For each topic
of resources, two examples have been provided with brief
comparative narratives that highlight each selections strengths.
General Resources:
Publishers of professional materials for YA specialists
American Library Association (ALA). Chicago, IL.
ALA remains the primary authoritative publication choice for LIS
professionals striving to remain current on publications and
periodicals designed for practitioners. The publications subcategory of
YA
materials is
particularly valuable, in that it offers a plethora
of easily accessible
publications (many are digitally downloadable),
which encompass a variety of contemporarily relevant topics. Among
them are recent research studies
on youth experience and culture, and booklists to inform diverse
collection
development, yet there is noticeable lack of publications
identifying LGBTQ materials for practitioners and specific collection
development. The
focus on materials from a YA developmental
approach is well appreciated.
E. L. Kurdyla Publishing, LLC. Bowie, MD.
E. L. Kurdyla publishes materials under four imprints, including
the professional periodical, VOYA Press (Voice of Youth Advocates),
serving YA librarian specialists, and Teacher Librarian Press.
Particularly valuable is VOYA Presss authority on professional books
that complement the goals and
advocacy aims of the renowned
VOYA magazine. This publication is preferred over ALA, for its strength
in innovative, and often pioneering,
topics concerning YA
advocacy, as well as its engagement in new trends of YA
literature
(i.e. Apocalyptic/dystopian books & media guide). Publications are
easily applicable to practitioners, though the lesser selections of
scholarly research studies should be noted.
Local community news sources
Provence, A. (2014). Reading@Berkeley High: Short reviews of the best
of our books.
[Blog]. Retrieved from
http://bayareabibliophile.wordpress.com.

Running Head: B. Elliot_YOUNG ADULT SPECIALISTS TOOLBOX

This engaging blog is consistently maintained and well-written by

Berkeley
High Schools two professionally experienced Teacher
Librarians, Alexandra Provence and Ellie Goldstein. Thriving in its
showcase of contemporary YA
literature, the brief yet captivating
book reviews serve as valuable collection
development tool and
readers advisory for teens and practitioners alike.
Organized by an
impressively diverse list of category genres, books by type and/or
readers interest are easily located. Being a professional blog
primarily focused on book reviews of Berkeley Highs specific
collections, there is a lack of other YA resources and materials offered
by the larger
Berkeley Public Library website.
Berkeley Public Library. (2014). Teens. [Website]. Retrieved from
http://www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org/teens.
This well designed website has many valuable resources that
comprehen-sively aid YA specialist in school and public library
environments. Some highlights include book reviews with cover
art, simple audiobook and e-book downloads and streaming,
Sync Teen Summer Reading programs offering two free
audiobooks weekly, and YA jobs and volunteering information.
Though the website offers great YA resources posted by various
Berkeley Public Library YA specialists, its design might suggest its
primary user group is intended to be teens themselves. It also
lacks the blogs impressive genre categorization that
makes searching by topic or readers interest fast, easy, and
preferable.
Online Directories and Portals:
Websites for professionals
Males, M. and Bernier, A. (2014). Youth Facts. [Website]. Retrieved from
http://www.youthfacts.org.
Maintained by doctorate scholars of the YA library specialist field,
Youth
Facts offers contemporary, original, factual information on
paramount
youth issues, from sex and violence to civic
engagement. Articles, data tables, and books all help anchor
practitioners understandings of youth in real- world terms,
imperatively informing positive YA programming. One major
critique, though not on its stunning content, remains that all the
founders or
advisors are (seemingly) white adults, most of whom
are male, contributing to Critical Youth Studies ideation.
Diversification of racial/ethnical
backgrounds, gender, and age of

Running Head: B. Elliot_YOUNG ADULT SPECIALISTS TOOLBOX

scholars involved would not go unnoticed by
of color.

newly MLIS graduates

Jensen, K. (2014). TLT: Teen Librarians Toolbox. [Website]. Retrieved

from http://www.teenlibrariantoolbox.com.
TLT offers web-based professional development and resource
sharing for teen librarians. Resources reflect a collection of experience
from four MLS
librarians with over 50 years in collective library
work. Its goal is to create an
online community fostering the
professional development and resource needs of libraries serving
young adults. Discussions, quality programs, book
reviews, and
information about teens and poverty and are presented from a
practitioners perspective. TLTs more practical, toolbox-oriented
librarian
resources are designed to save time and money, compared
to Youth Facts
dedication to factual scholarly data. However, TLT is
preferred for its resources applicability for current YA Specialists.
Podcast or video content for professionals
Zeka, D. (2013). Hopkinton High School Librarys Isinglass Teen Read
Award
Booktalks. Podcasts retrieved from
http://www.hopkintonschools.org/hhs/library/podcast.html.
These podcasts, roughly five-minutes each, annually chronicle
booktalks of
dozens of teen-selected contemporary books, (six
years archived). Each is
recorded from New Hampshires
Hopkinton High School featuring school librarian, Deborah Zeka.
Though it is empowering to have the schools teens be direct
participants in this project, judging from the cover art alone, there
seems to be a lack of diversity represented among the recent
titles, lessening this resources potential for professional collection
development. However,
such teen-selected titles can be valued
by considering they represent teens
from a small high school. The
podcasts themselves serve as examples of
podcasting and
booktalking possibilities for YA Specialist Librarians.
Nicholson, S. (Producer). (2012). Games in Libraries. Podcasts retrieved
from http://www.gamesinlibraries.org.
The Games in Libraries portal is a multifaceted gaming resource
offering
podcasts available through iTunes and through an
organized blog, both
linked on the page. Of additional value is the
sites extensive archive of
articles, books, and ALA events on
gaming and podcasting. The podcasts
themselves offer rich

Running Head: B. Elliot_YOUNG ADULT SPECIALISTS TOOLBOX

practitioners insight into different perspectives of

library gaming
programs and its value for teen patrons. Though hard to
compare
the two extensively archived podcasts, Games reflects a more
professional air, compared to that of Booktalks, making this the
preferable resource for YA specialists inquisitive about both
podcasting and gaming
within teen library environments.
Wikis for professionals
Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). (2014). YALSA wiki:
Main page. Retrieved from
http://wikis.ala.org/yalsa/index.php/Main_Page.
This comprehensive wiki page designed by the authoritative YA
Specialists source, ALAs YALSA, provides LIS practitioners with
bountiful resource
foundations, presented in an easily navigated
list of linked portals. Included
are: YALSA news on upcoming and
past conferences and symposiums, which
provides a range of YA
research; resources on serving teens, diversity, YA
literature, youth
participation, and technology; youth advocacy research; and
downloadable YALSA programming resources. Though this YALSA
material is updated and innovative, this wiki would perhaps benefit
less experienced YA
Specialists in need of a general foundation of
YA resources.
Library success. (2014). A best practices wiki: Blogs about teen library
services.
Retrieved from
http://www.libsuccess.org/Blogs_about_Teen_Library_Services.
Its focus on applicable best practices in teen library services
would be appreciated by even the most well-seasoned YA Specialist,
as the wiki links provided list the most helpful blogs discussing
current issues. Offering both practitioner and scholarly insight, some
blogs are maintained by YA library associations (YALSA) while others
are by teen librarian bloggers. Having this
variety of over fifteen
blogs allows YA Specialists to locate and follow blogs based on
individual professional need(s). For its versatility, the Best practices
wiki is generally preferred. However versatile, this source does
lack the
immediacy of downloadable practical YA programming
resources (above).
Blogs for professionals
Librarian, M. (Producer). (2014). Teen librarian. [Blog comment].
Retrieved from

Running Head: B. Elliot_YOUNG ADULT SPECIALISTS TOOLBOX

http://www.teenlibrarian.com/blog.html.
Written by Matt Librarian, a teen librarian for many years, Teen
Librarian
blog offers a range of intriguing discussions about working
with teens in
public and school libraries, focused YA book reviews
on crime, mystery,
horror genres, with occasional guest postings.
Recent posts include: detailed
accounts of the Young Adult
Literature Con 2014; interviews with
contemporary YA authors;
and 2014 booklists up for literary awards. Some
multimedia
aspects, like slideshows, enhance the visuals, yet the blog seems
only semi-professionally written. Its topic range remains
resourceful for YA
Specialists, particularly its narrow, yet detailed,
focus on just a few YA genres.
Lady, M. L. (Producer). (2014). Hey there Mrs. Librarian Lady! [Blog
comment]. Retrieved from http://mrslibrarianlady.blogspot.com.
One of 99 Best Blogs for School Librarians, this professionally
engaging blog has an advantageous edge over the Teen Librarian. It
is written by Mrs.
Librarian Lady, a librarian manager who has
spent many years creating
library web guides for LIS practitioners.
The extensive archive of books
reviewed is impressive, and many
entries go beyond book synopses, to
include genre(s), literary
awards, teen read-alikes, and professional opinions, yet the writing
style is passionate, not scholarly. Hyperlinks to Teen Reading
Resources and the bookshelf cover art scroll feature is an
additional resourceful feature for YA Specialists seeking trending
literature.
Scholarly Research
Reference tools on/about young people
boyd, d. (2014). Its complicated: The social lives of networked teens.
New Haven, CT: Yale University Press.
A seasoned researcher and Fellow at Harvards Berkman Center,
boyd offers a rich, focused study on the intersection of contemporary
youth culture with
society and technology. Delivered is invaluable
insight about how teens view themselves and their oftenmisunderstood social digital lives, an
unprecedented asset to any
YA Specialist Librarian wanting a comprehensive
study to inform
teen technology programs and services. Though the findings
of
this long-term research offer direct teen data and rich professional
analyses, the lack of overall diversity among teen interviewees,

Running Head: B. Elliot_YOUNG ADULT SPECIALISTS TOOLBOX

(the majority
populations,

marked white), leave YA Specialists serving diverse

particularly in urban areas, at a loss.

Paris, D. & Winn, M. T. (Eds.). (2014). Humanizing research:

Decolonizing qualitative
inquiry with youth and communities. Los
Angeles, CA: SAGE Publications.
In an engaging tone challenging the current paradigm of
qualitative research, this book covers a plethora of ways to
encourage the humanization of marginalized youth as research
participants. Though limited in its narrow scope,
conversations do focus on how to empower youth research
participants and highlights examining their diverse communities
from the theoretical perspective of decolonization. Though
boyds comprehensive research findings can be utilized by a
range of YA Specialists, Humanizing findings critically challenge
the very paradigm of youth research, aiming to deconstruct
disempowering visions of youth and their communities, and is
thus preferred for informing teen services and programming.
Non-LIS journals (scholarly journals focused on adolescence)
R

Goldson, B., & Muncie, J. (Eds.) Youth Justice: An International Journal.

Sage Publications LTD. International. Frequency of publications: 3
issues annually. Published from 2001-present. ISSN: 1473-2254 (Print)
1747-6283 (Electronic). Retrieved from http://yjj.sagepub.com.

R
Youth Justice is a peer-reviewed, international journal
encompassing
analyses of international policy,
law, and practice concerning youth,
including
juvenile justice systems. Articles are grounded in contemporary
theory and empirical research, recognizing the developing
academic and
practical interest in juvenile/youth crime
in the context of youth rights.
Particularly of interest
to YA Specialists serving incarcerated (or recently
released) youth, though limiting, its scope goes beyond the juvenile
justice
system and legal commentary, including
research on youth culture, gangs,
and family. Its
international focus provides wider scholarly understanding to
compare and contrast juvenile systems failures and successes
from around
the world.
Journal of LGBT Youth. Sponsored by National Art Education
Association,
LGBT/Queer Issues Caucus. Taylor & Francis

Running Head: B. Elliot_YOUNG ADULT SPECIALISTS TOOLBOX

Publications. Frequency of
publications: 4 issues annually. Published
from 2008-present.
ISSN: 1936-1653 (Print) 1936-1661
(Electronic). Retrieved from
http://www.tandfonline.com/action/aboutThisJournal?
journalCode=wjly20
#.
This interdisciplinary journal offers a forum dedicated to the ideal
of
advancing the quality of life for lesbian, gay, bisexual,
transgender, and questioning youth. Subjects covered seem to
encapsulate the LGBTQ youth
experience across many
disciplines, including: development studies, gender & development,
sociology & social policy, youth culture, and behavioral
sciences.
Though both journals have rather narrow focuses, LGBT Youth is
particularly more applicable to a wider YA Specialist audience, in
terms of
serving and understanding LGBTQ patrons, compared to
Youth Justice.
However, LGBT Youth seemed difficult to navigate
and access its articles online without having to pay a fee.
Contemporary monograph on youth culture (outside of LIS)
Ibrahim, A., & Steinberg, S. (eds.). (2014). Critical Youth Studies
Reader. New York,
NY: Peter Lang International Academic
Publishers.
Ibrahim is a professor of Education and Steinberg, a professor
and research
chair of Youth Studies. This academic reader opens
up conversations on
aspects of critical youth studies, considering
essential issues, like gender, class, race, sexuality, and cultural capital
of youth. Its thesis promotes interrupting the demonizing, devaluing,
and pathologizing of young people. A
valuable YA Specialist
resource informing visions of contemporary young
adults, this
volume could be utilized to create critically progressive
foundations
for library programs and services aiming to empower youth in
meaningful ways. Though critically informative, ways in which
practitioners
could make applicable the findings is sometimes
lacking.
Gilchrist, R., Hodgson, T., Jeffs, T., Spence, J., Stanton, N., & Walker, J.
(Eds.). (2011).
Reflecting on the Past: Essays in the History of Youth
and Community Work. New York, NY: Russell House Publishing.
This engaging volume charts the history of youth and community
work in
America, proposing the construction of professional
identity, positioning,
meaning and purpose in challenging ways.
With the intent of disrupting current thinking surrounding youth and
community work, this work aims to highlight how community services

Running Head: B. Elliot_YOUNG ADULT SPECIALISTS TOOLBOX

and programs for youth are limited in

their lesser expectations of
youth and low priorities for youth leadership. A highly relevant,
intriguing resource for YA Specialists, particularly those
managing
directly youth and community services, this preferred book
introduces applicable ways in which contemporary visions of
youth in
communities can be progressively applied by practitioners.
Scholarly monograph on YA library services
Bernier, A. (Ed.). (2013). Transforming young adult services. Chicago,
IL: American
Library Association Neal-Schuman.
This phenomenal provocation highlights current perceptions of
young adults
and how such perceptions inform as well as limit YA
services. Its proposition
to challenge limiting and/or misguided
visions of young adults is thus
enhanced by research-based
articles critically written by leading practitioners and scholars in the LIS
field. The collections strength resides in its diversity of scholarly
perspectives, while managing a cohesive valuing of young adults
within society. Though its YA visions are readily applicable to
more
research-based projects for YA Specialists, the absence of how to
directly apply certain authors visions to actual, current YA
service milieus is noticed.
Dresang, E., Gross, M. & Holt, L. E. (2009). Dynamic youth services
through outcomebased planning and evaluation. Chicago, IL:
American Library Association Editions.
These dynamic scholarly authors propose the significance in
incorporating
outcome-based planning and evaluations to measure
the impact of youth
library program. This source is preferred over
Transformings focus on
visions of youth, only because Dynamics
merit lies with its direct application of utilizing the books outcomebased planning model to create new YA services. A phenomenal
resource for YA Specialist Librarians looking for ways to structure youth
services with positive impact, the outcome-based
results could also
be utilized to defend new proposals of YA programs. However,
because this paradigm of planning is innovative, it may face
challenges in
more traditional library environments.
Institutional research studies
Sum, A., Khatiwada, I., Trubskyy M. & Ross, M. (2014). Market fortunes
of teens and
young adults. Washington, DC: The Brookings
Institute. Retrieved from

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10

http://www.brookings.edu/~/media/Research/Files/Reports/2014/0
3/14 %20youth%20workforce/BMPP_Youth_March10EMBARGO.pdf.
This thorough study examines the plummeting employment
prospects of
young adults in 100 largest metropolitan areas in
America. Presenting data
on teen employment/unemployment
rates and labor force underutilization the disproportionate labor
market problems of marginalized groups of teens
is highlighted.
Particularly applicable to YA Specialist Librarians are the
factors
listed contributing to poor employment rates of these youth groups.
This applicable study should inform teen library programs to give
particular focus on a need-basis: employment-based learning (i.e.
internship opportunities); development of work-readiness skills
meeting current labor market demands; and, occupational.
Information on institutional, systemic marginalization of youth groups
needs mention.
Newman, L., Wagner, M., Cameto, R., Knokey, A.M. & Shaver, D.
(2010). Comparisons
across time of the outcomes of youth with
disabilities up to 4 years after high school: A report of findings from
the National Longitudinal Transition Study
(NLTS) and the
National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 (NLTS-2).
Washington, DC:
National Institute for Special Education Research & the U.S.
Department of Education. Retrieved from
http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED512149.pdf.
This longitudinal study sponsored by the U.S. Department of
Education underlines the dramatic change in special education policy,
while noting the tremendous scale of American social changes like
information technologies
and population diversity, and the impact
on post-high school outcomes of youth with disabilities.
Employment, postsecondary education, and
community integration
were examined and compared to youth data from the
general
population. These comparative findings are applicable to YA
Specialists considering serving young adults with disabilities and
designing programs based on their unique needs. Though both
studies focus on marginalized youth, Market is preferred for outlining
how to apply findings directly.
Practitioner Resources
Journals specifically for YA Specialist Librarians
Voices of Youth Advocates (VOYA). RoseMary Honnold (Editor-in-chief).
E. L. Kurdyla
Publishing LLC in Bowie, MD. Frequency of

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11

publications: 6 issues annually.

Published from 1978-present.
Retrieved from
http://www.voyamagazine.com/.
This renowned library journal is dedicated to the advocacy of
young adults
and the needs of YA librarians, while promoting
diverse YA literature and
teen reading. This resourceful magazine
is a respectable, critically
informative asset, in its holistic approach
in providing articles ranging from intellectual freedom, youth
participation, professional development, YA
library programming,
and literature reviews supporting current collection development
trends. The professionally written articles are directly
applicable
to practitioners seeking critically innovative perspectives on
meeting a variety of YA patron needs. This preferred resource
includes an
extraordinary range of controversial and advocacy
material, but otherwise
lacks regular LGBTQ content.
The Journal of Research on Libraries and Young Adults (JRLYA). The
official research journal of the Young Adult Library Services
Association (YALSA). Masthead:
Dr. Denise E. Agosto (Ed.) and
Jaclyn Finneke. Frequency of publication: Articles digitally published
individually and in volumes. ISSN: 2157-3980. Retrieved from
http://www.yalsa.ala.org/jrlya/all-volumes/.
This open-access, peer-reviewed research journal is entirely
available online, making it an irreplaceable asset to YA Specialist
Librarians. The
extraordinary breadth of its critical, contemporary
research include: diversity representation of award-winning and
bestselling YA booklists;
LGBTQ issues present in professional
journals; and, sexuality and biracial
badging in teen literature.
This unique resource aids in designing cutting- edge YA programming
and services based on current research. Both journals
represent
youth advocacy information in innovative ways, yet the wellrounded JRLYA resource seems more difficult to apply in the real
world for
YA Specialist Librarians than VOYAs overt focus on the
application of its information.
Practitioner manuals or guides on YA library services
Young Adult Services Division Ohio Library Council. (2010). Teen
Program guide. Retrieved from
http://www.olc.org/pdf/YA_TeenProgramGuide122010.pdf.
This guide is designed to assist YA Specialists with creative
programming
ideas that center around monthly themes, developed
by practitioners on the Ohio Library Council. Properly directed for a
mature teen audience, themed
library programs include the anti-

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12

Valentine party and National poetry

month book spine poetry.
This valuable 44-page document is user-friendly
and practical,
while presented in a professional fashion outlining required
supplies, approximate cost, program length, planning timeline,
and staff
requirements. However, programming in terms of longevity
is altogether
absent, and additional programs that engage teens
in a consistent, social and/or political way would be appreciated as
well.
State Library of Victoria. (2013). Boys, Blokes, Books & Bytes toolkit.
Retrieved from http://www.slv.vic.gov.au/explore/student-teacherresources/boys-blokes-books-bytes.
Designed by library practitioners at the State Library of Victoria,
this toolkit guide is intended to help public libraries collaborate with
local educators on
providing exciting reading programs for teen
boys. Included is a
downloadable information booklet, (aimed to
build a teen boys reading
culture), program outlines, planning
checklist, and preassembled great books list. This is the preferred
resource because it represents a thoughtful,
long-term
programming strategy applicable to experienced YA Specialists
interested in programs that incorporate contemporary ideation of
examining reading cultures among certain reader groups. However,
the narrow focus is
limiting to boys as the main user group.
Training Resources
WebJunction. (2012). Create & deliver training. Retrieved from
http://www.webjunction.org/exploretopics/create- deliver-training.html.
This web-based resource is specific to public library staff and
provides
training support that keeps libraries relevant. Documents,
blogs, and webinars ensure a diverse set of resources for designing
and delivering staff
trainings that are current and engaging. Among
the comprehensive list of
resources are skill-building suggestions
on self-pacing, creating successful webinars, digital literacy, and
change & adaptability strategies. A YA
Specialist can easily come
here to download resources and PDF files on topicspecific training
guides, as well as build skills for personal delivery. The site itself is
somewhat difficult to navigate and could improve its interface for
richer engagement.
Bernier, A. (2014). Training resources used by previous students: Staff
training
workshop (SLIS 261). [lecture]. San Jose State University.
Retrieved from

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13

https://sjsu.instructure.com/courses/1085109/files/33468443?
module_ite m_id=7268065.
Created by a well-seasoned critical youth studies scholar, this
concise
resource provides YA Specialists with an easily
understandable outline of
critical planning and preparation points
for delivering staff trainings. Outlined are imperative points: including:
training goals, planning
components, time management, icebreakers, public speaking tips, and further book, article, and webbased resources. One listed resource,
McNamaras (2007)
Complete Guidelines, provides professionals with a robustly detailed
training plan, lending additional value to Berniers brief
outline.
Though the brevity and the transferrable applicability of this
resource is appreciated, suggestions of contemporary YA library
trainings
(i.e. youth-produced materials, etc.) would improve its
overall
resourcefulness.
Program evaluation resources
Checkoway, B. & Richards-Schuster, K. (2012). Participatory evaluation
with young people. Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan Press.
Retrieved from
http://archive.ssw.umich.edu/public/currentProjects/youthAndCo
mmunity/pubs/youthbook.pdf.
This workbook provides learning activities and practical tools YA
Specialists can instantly apply to program and service evaluations.
Methods and
examples of gathering responsive, evaluative
information from youth program participants themselves is an
appreciated component. Evaluation
strategies that are outcomeoriented (i.e. youth community organizing skills)
help inform
future YA library program designs built around the success of
valuing youth participant input. Provided is direct application of
evaluation strategies, with space for practitioners to write their own
plan of action and
goals for youth participation. Great for
practitioners, the language used is clear, yet lacking in academic
research tone. However, this resource is preferred.
The Search Institute. The developmental assets profile. Minneapolis,
MN: The Search Institute. Retrieved from http://www.searchinstitute.org/surveys/DAP.
The Search Institutes innovative reputation extends over 50
years of
experience in listening to youth themselves. This
downloadable
developmental asset profile is valued for its focus on
obtaining direct data
from youth participants within school and

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14

community programs, with

questions that are clear and youthfriendly (i.e. Do you feel valued and
safe?). Thus, it can be easily
utilized by YA Specialist Librarians needing to evaluate YA programs
from helpful, youth participants perspectives. This profile thrives in
its brevity (8 detailed questions), shortening the evaluative
process; however, it lacks the in-depth explanations and ways to
improve
youth programs as Participatory above does.
Collection Development Resources
Collection development tools specifically for YA materials
(traditionally-published printed items)
McElmeel, S. L., Loertscher, D. V. & Wrenn-Estes, B. (2014). Young
adult literature and multimedia: A quick guide (9th edition). Salt Lake
City, UT: Learning
Commons Press/Hi Willow Research and
Publishing. (Available from
http://www.lmcsource.com/).
This phenomenal YA collection development tool was written by
some of the
leading experts in the field. This latest edition
reflects the most current and intriguing YA literature trends (across
many genres), and provides a
foundation of how practitioners
should understand and approach YA
literature. Much appreciated
is the detailed sections on literacy that encompass
not
just
literature, but games, films, and music that are
contemporarily
popular. Efforts to include ways to promote teen reading, and
discussions of issues like diversity and censorship, give this resource
extra value for YA Specialists striving to meet the needs of
diverse YA populations.
Herald, D. T. (2010). Teen genreflecting 3: A guide to reading interests.
(3rd ed.). Santa Barbara, CA: Libraries Unlimited.
Considered a mastery of genre fiction, Heralds newest edition
of this widely
referenced Teen Genreflecting book provides YA
Specialists with a
contemporary, in-depth look into specific
genres appealing to mature teen
readers. Each chapter includes a
description of the genre, including a
discussion of teen reading
habits. The component of ways YA Specialists can
market certain
books by genres to teens is particularly interesting, but there
could
be more explanation on the literature trends themselves (i.e. chick
lit). This books organizational layout by genre is great, though the
robust
content outside of genre discussion of Young Adult makes
this selection less
preferred.

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15

Collection development tools specifically for YA materials

(web-based items)
Harmony Ink Press. (2014). Retrieved from
http://harmonyinkpress.com/category/fiction/.
This web-based resource equips YA Specialists with the
imperative knowledge of LGBTQ-themed literature for teens, including
new releases and
an extensive archive of novels, novellas, short
stories, and booklists, all
previously published by Harmony Ink.
Many titles are from Stonewall awardwinning authors, featuring
LGBTQ narratives written within a variety of teen
genres of fiction.
This holistic site offers a contemporary look into YA literature
containing somewhat controversial themes, highlighting the
interests of mature teen readers. However, improvement could
be made in advocating discussions on the importance of incorporating
LGBTQ-themed materials into existing library collections, and
additional ways of successful development.
The Rainbow List. (2014). Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender
Round Table &
the Social Responsibilities Round Table of the
American Library Association.
Lists are published annually.
Retrieved from
http://glbtrt.ala.org/rainbowbooks/rainbow-bookslists.
Not only does this resource provide a thorough archive of LGBTQthemed
titles for teens appearing on the annual Rainbow Book List,
additionally,
there are hyperlinks to Words from our sponsors,
(American Library
Association among them), Stonewall Book, and
Lambda Literary awards as well. Comparatively, this website has
more substance in their LGBTQ books
reviews that go beyond just
narrative summaries. With appreciative value, YA Specialists can
utilize the division of fiction, nonfiction, and graphic novels to develop
LGBTQ displays by genre. However, one element missing is the cover
art that Harmony so aptly includes, drawing practitioners and teen
readers in.
*Well-established (third year) YA Specialists presumably will value
expanding marginalized youth groups, which is why this chosen
emphasis on LGBTQ collection development, to accompany the widerthemed print-based collection development items included.
Youth-produced materials
Teen Ink. (2014). Published monthly. Newton, MA: The Young Authors
Foundation.
Retrieved from Inc. http://www.teenink.com

Running Head: B. Elliot_YOUNG ADULT SPECIALISTS TOOLBOX

16

For 25 years, Teen Ink has offered teen writers great

opportunities to publish
their own work within a national
magazine, book series, and website
formats. Encompassing a
range of creative work and opinion pieces, teen
writers have the
chance to explore social issues affecting their lives and
share it
with the worldon their terms. Teen Ink provides YA specialists with
concrete, from-the-source teen perspectives, some of which could
inspire teen fiction and nonfiction writing programs.
Demonstrating strong youth-produced writing, this source is a
necessary component of any contemporary YA collection and teen
literacies. However, political commentary is noticeably lacking.
Bernier, A. (2014). Fugitive literacies. [Lecture]. San Jose State
University. Retrieved from
http://amazon.sjsu.edu/htmlabernier/Fugitive_Literacy/player.html.
This lecture by the well-established critical youth studies scholar
offers a
well-researched, rich understanding of fugitive literacies,
while providing YA Specialists with direct pathways for connecting
with many youthproduced outlets. Presented are detailed youthproduced print media sources (magazines), podcasts, web-based
sources (blogs, websites), as well as the pervasive hand-held
content (smartphone apps). With this
foundation, YA Specialists
gain access to youth-produced literacies that can
inspire teen
program designs, as well as to enhance teen collections
available.
This preferred source, for its wide-ranging scope of current youthproduced materials, could be improved by providing a
synthesized, timemanaged version for busy LIS professionals.

Ideal time apportionment chart for a YA Specialists at a public

library:
(Attached separately in Excel)
Bibliography of tools and resources
KDLA. (2013). Time management for library staff: Handout and
resources. Retrieved
from http://www.google.com/url?
sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ve
d=0CB8QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fkdla.ky.gov%2Flibrarians
%2Fstaffdev
elopment%2FDocuments%2FHandout%2520and
%2520Resources.docx&ei=

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17

9NfqU5PHNOjWiwLjjIGgBA&usg=AFQjCNFf2PCztpS4wpRWTlRIZCZ5RXK
xeg
&sig2=DAEPtnX8QHKKtAzQfcv4vg&bvm=bv.72938740,d.cGE&cad=rja.
Love-to-Know Stress Management. (2014). Printable time management
charts.
Retrieved from http://stress.lovetoknow.com/timemanagement-chart.
Siess, J. A. (2002). Time management, planning, and prioritization for
librarians. Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press, Inc. Retrieved from
https://rowman.com/ISBN/9780810844384.
Tritt, D. (2011). Time and task management for the library
professional.
Chicago, IL: ALA APA- The organization for the
advancement of library
employees. Retrieved from
http://ala-apa.org/newsletter/2011/01/01/3951/.