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YSS is open to anyone interested in promoting, supporting and improving library services to young people in Maine.
To join us, select the YSS Interest Group on your MLA membership page or email YSS for assistance!
Questions? Contact chair Kelley Blue at yss@mainelibraries.org.
Activities & Projects
Some of the projects YSS has supported over the years include:
- *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! Read notes from past planning sessions.
- 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.
- January 2024: Monthly YSS virtual drop-in sessions with the YSS Chair, Vice Chair, and other members. We hope to meet on the last Friday of every month at 1 PM. Email us for more information. Schedule coming soon!
*January 2024: these activities are currently on hold while the YSS Interest group rebuilds and focuses on aligning itself with the mission of MLA and working collaboratively with our youth-serving colleagues at MSL and MASL.
YSS Committee:
- Chair: Kelley Blue, Portland Public Library
- Vice Chair: Jennifer Benham, Prince Memorial Library
- 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
The Chickadee Award - The Chickadee Award began in 2005 and is named after Maine’s state bird. It is modeled after other successful state children’s choice picture book awards and is intended to complement the Maine Student Book Award program that involves children in grades four through eight.
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.
November 2024: The Lupine and Katahdin Award Committee are an independent group no longer overseen by the MLA Youth Services Section. For award stickers, or for submissions from publishers, authors or illustrators, please contact alhand@librarycamden.org. Follow the Lupine Committee on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lupineaward