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CHICAGO - Librarians all across the country are encouraged to participate in on April 14, 2011.

The event is celebrated every Thursday of National Library Week, by the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), a division of the 91´«Ã½ (91´«Ã½). National Library Week 2011 is April 10-16.



The purpose of Support Teen Literature Day is to raise awareness among the general public that young adult literature is a vibrant, growing genre with much to offer today's teens. Support Teen Literature Day also seeks to showcase some award-winning authors and books in the genre, as well as highlight librarians' expertise in connecting teens with books and other reading materials.

Each year on Support Teen Literature Day, YALSA launches the Teen Read Week website () and announces the Teens’ Top Ten nominations ().



"Support Teen Literature Day provides a chance for libraries and librarians who serve teens to expand the awareness of teen literature and the endless reading possibilities that exist for teens," said YALSA President Kim Patton. “Celebrating this event allows library professionals to engage our communities in conversations about our teen collections and share the importance of teen reading as we connect with the parents, educators and teens in our communities."

Librarians are supporting teen literature in a number of ways this year. One way is by spreading awareness of the multiple teen/YA book awards.

Every year, YALSA committees select books and media for six awards: Alex, Edwards, Morris, Nonfiction, Odyssey, and Printz. In addition, committees work to compile various booklists representing the year's best books: Amazing Audiobooks, Best Fiction, Great Graphic Novels, Popular Paperbacks, Quick Picks, and more. In 2011, YALSA launched a new list called Readers’ Choice, in which anyone can nominate a favorite teen book published this year in one of six categories.

In addition, YALSA announces the nominations for the Teens’ Top Ten, a booklist selected entirely by teens! Teens' Top Ten nominations are posted on the YALSA website in April, so teens can be reading them all summer, with voting open in August and September. Visit the on the YALSA site for more details.

Libraries can help celebrate by displaying and recommending books that YALSA has honored through its book awards and selected lists (), as well as highlighting the Teens’ Top Ten nominations, which will be posted at . Libraries can also host teen authors or involve teens in activities that encourage reading.

For more information on Support Teen Literature Day and suggestions on ways to celebrate it, visit .

About YALSA

For more than 50 years, YALSA has been the world leader in selecting books, videos and audio books for teens. For more information about YALSA or for lists of recommended reading, viewing and listening, go to , or contact the YALSA office by phone, (800) 545-2433, ext. 4390, or by e-mail at yalsa@ala.org.