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CHICAGO — The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) has named Maricopa (Arizona) Public Library as the recipient of its annual . The library will receive more than $20,000 worth in books, audiobooks and other materials donated to YALSA from publishers and producers in 2019.

"We are very proud to accept this grant for the Maricopa Public Library. Receiving this enormous amount of new books will ensure we continue to offer a great selection of titles to our Young Adult Community,” said Ryan Barker and Andy Gallegos. “It is a great hope that some of these new books will be the reason(s) that a young adult will continue to not just keep reading, but also be an active member in the library and community."

Erik Surber, the Library Director of the Maricopa Public Library, stated, "This award comes at a time when a new influx to the collection is most needed; prior to our Summer Reading Program. Receiving this award will ensure that the Maricopa Public Library continues to have fantastic literature for those who need it."

Each year, the YALSA office receives approximately 2,000 newly published books, videos, CD's and audiocassettes; materials that have been targeted primarily towards young adults. These materials are submitted from publishers and producers for selection committees to review and nominate. After the 91´«Ã½ Midwinter Meeting (when committees select their annual lists), these materials are then donated to libraries in need via YALSA’s Great Books Giveaway.

The application form for the is available in the section of the YALSA website. must be received by Dec. 1, 2020. more.

The YALSA Great Books Giveaway Jury members are: Chair Stefanie Bailey, Las Vegas-Clark County Library District, Las Vegas, NV; Jillian Ehlers, Metropolitan Expeditionary Learning School, Forest Hills, NY; Joanna Goldfarb, Ramapo Catskill Library System, Middletown, NY; Abby Harrison, Greenhill School, Addison, TX; and Arlene Leverde, Townsend Harris High School Library, Flushing, NY.

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 www.ala.org/yalsa, or contact the YALSA office by phone, 800-545-2433, ext. 4390; or e-mail: yalsa@ala.org.