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CHICAGO — The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) has awarded David Wang, General Librarian at the Elmhurst (New York) Branch of Queens Library, its .

“My research objective is to help build stronger bridges connecting teens, library staff and community stakeholders with local government, city construction agencies and private architectural firms,” said Wang. “The demand for new teen spaces has skyrocketed across New York City since the release of the . Creating new, vibrant library buildings is a wonderful initiative forwarded by our local political leaders, but giving equal voice to our teen users and advancing equity and inclusion in our diverse, immigrant communities is equally important. I hope my research endeavors can continue the long-standing distinction associated with this award."

Wang will receive $1,000 to help fund his research project. The is an annual grant aimed to provide seed money for small scale research or action research projects that respond to the . more and for the grant by Dec. 1, 2019.

The Frances Henne Research Grant Jury members are: Chair Heather Colby, Kathleen J. Barker, Jill A. Bickford, Christopher Lassen, and Keri L. Weston-Stoll.

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.