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CHICAGO — The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) has announced Kacy Helwick, Youth Collection Development Librarian at New Orleans (Louisiana) Public Library, as its 2019 .

“This is my last year of eligibility, so I’m excited and grateful that I’ll have the opportunity to participate in the Emerging Leaders program,” said Helwick. “Since becoming a collection development librarian, I’ve been focused on growing collections that are inclusive and representative of New Orleans’ diverse community and multicultural history. I’m looking forward to collaborating with the other participants, and I hope the experience contributes to expanding the scope of my cultural competency work.”

Helwick will receive $1,000 in total funding from to attend the 91´«Ã½’s in Seattle, WA and in Washington, D.C.

The program is designed to enable library staff and information workers to participate in project planning workgroups; network with peers; gain an inside look into 91´«Ã½ structure and have an opportunity to serve the profession in a leadership capacity early in their careers.

YALSA’s participation in the program is funded through (FOY). Each year, FOY donations fund over $14,000 in member awards, grants, scholarships, and stipends.

was created in 2005 to ensure excellence in the Association's traditional programs and services to library workers serving teens and to support growth in new directions as our profession meets the exciting challenges of the 21st century. Learn more or donate at .

The mission of the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) is to support library staff in alleviating the challenges teens face, and in putting all teens ‒ especially those with the greatest needs ‒ on the path to successful and fulfilling lives. For more information about YALSA or to access national guidelines and other resources go to , or contact the YALSA office by phone, 800-545-2433, ext. 4390; or e-mail: yalsa@ala.org.