Book lists and Academic Libraries

YALSA, the Young Adult Library Services Association, announced several interesting book list with the last few weeks. Included are:

• 2007 Best Books for Young Adults
• 2007 Alex Awards
• Michael L. Printz Award
• 2007 Top 10 Great Graphic Novels for Teens
• 2007 Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults
• 2007 Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers

As with the Newbery and Caldecott award announcements, I peruse each list to locate which of these books currently exist in the library collection. While I follow the trend and automatically include Newbery and Caldecott books to the collection, it is after all, "expected," I look more closely at the YALSA lists before making any determination as to what should be purchased. Alex award winners are great picks for the library as they are often cataloged in the recreational reading area (they are not juvenile) and more closely fit with the library director's vision of having a more literary sampling in that collection. I have to admit I think many of the titles listed are suited more for a public library than an academic library.

We have a strong literature program, both early childhood and middle grade/young adult, at the university and it is important the library collection reflect equally upon various award winning titles. The books are being read by pre-service teachers, distinct literary value is constantly balanced with popular fiction. It is a struggle I do not have when purchasing picture books or juvenile fiction (in general). For example, I looked at the graphic novel list with interest; while this is a small portion of the library collection, reflected both in juvenile and regular circulating sections and it needs to be represented. We have, on order, only one of the top ten titles for teens.

It could be I simply missed several good titles, or this is one of the myriad of academic library - public library collection differences. I'm betting a combination of both (though I am not usually that far off the mark when it comes to having award winning titles). Nevertheless, some collection development elements overlap, others are very dissimilar, but there is no doubting the fact that population served by both libraries differ. I've worked as a children's librarian in a public library and probably would not have hesitated on the YALSA lists if the patron population supported and read the materials.

Tags: YALSA, ALA, YALSA book lists, YA fiction, YA literature