Youth Services Forum Executive Committee
Midlothian, VA
October 18, 2001

Attending: Ginger Armstrong, Josie Schaffer Bergstrom, Noreen Bernstein, Tim Carrier, Jane Ferguson, Shelley Gravel, Anne Lund, Dena Martin, Pat Muller, Lisa Payne, Sherry Pearson, Rebecca Purdy, Lorry Risinger

Sherry called the meeting to order.  She informed the group that the 2001 VLA Conference was one of the most highly attended conferences that VLA has offered.  At the VLA Council meeting, new members of council were introduced including the new Youth Services Forum Chair, Lisa Payne. 

The September minutes were approved.

Lisa introduced our new Region IV Representative Dena Martin.  Dena is a YA librarian and the assistant branch manager of the Tuckahoe Library.

Pat distributed a proposal for a Family Literacy Preconference that has already been approved for October 16, 2002.  The preconference will be an all day event and will include two keynote speakers, Dr. Steve Herb and Mr. Jim Trelease, as well as speakers discussing model programs throughout the state.  Authors Claudia Mills and Candace Ransome will also attend.  Pat will send out a survey asking libraries around the state to provide her with information about current family literacy programs in the library.  This information will then be used by the Library of Virginia in producing a resource guide of programs and services for family literacy in libraries that will be available to attendees of the preconference.

It was decided that the materials from NASA discussed at the last meeting will be distributed in Pat’s quarterly mailing from the Library of Virginia and libraries can either choose to participate or not on their own.

The Virginia Young Readers Committee will meet on November 3rd to choose books for next year’s nominee list.  This new list should be ready by March 2002.

Lorry stated that she really appreciated Pat’s work organizing and ordering the Summer Reading Program materials.  On the topic of the Summer Reading Program, Pat stated that she was looking into creating a more effective teen web site next year.  This year the teen summer reading program received mixed reviews.  If you have any feedback on this program, please let her know.  She stated that “reading for a cause” might hold more appeal for teens.  She is meeting with her teen group in December and asks for suggestions of groups for whom teens would like to read.  Lorry suggested a program like Lynchburg’s successful “Book for Book, Pound for Pound” program in which kids read to benefit the Humane Society.

Pat also announced that the VLA Paraprofessional Conference will offer consecutive youth services sessions on the first day of the conference.  The topics are not yet set but may include a session on planning, measuring and evaluating children’s programming.  Participants can attend one or two sessions or the whole day.

Rebecca stated that the Jefferson Cup Committee has received books and that she is sending out letters and making phone calls to publishers again.  HarperCollins has been especially helpful throughout this process.

The meeting concluded with Sherry handing over the bylaws and other chair materials to Lisa.  The group thanked Sherry for all of her hard work throughout the year.

The meeting adjourned.

Respectfully Submitted,

Ginger Armstrong
Youth Services Forum Secretary