Here are the final results for the YALSA elected positions:

• YALSA President-elect: Valerie Tagoe
• YALSA Fiscal Officer: Caroline Aversano
• YALSA Secretary: Heather Beverley
• YALSA Board of Directors (3 positions):
  • Julia E. Torres
  • Clare O’Tsuji
  • Robin Fogle Kurz, Ph.D.

2027 Award & Blogging Committee appointments 

April was the launch of our new volunteer season and process.  I’m excited for the increased transparency in the process and hopeful that the new timeline provides improved communication throughout the process from start to finish.

For more detailed information, please visit the YALSA blog.

Ongoing Activities

• YALSA staff are currently finalizing details for all the activities at the annual conference.
• YALSA activities are already on the conference schedule and will be shared on Connect and e-news shortly. 
• President-Elect Amber Creger is appointing members to the 2027 award committees.

YALSA has transitioned to one annual recruiting period.  This means all Award Committees, Blogging Teams, and Strategic committees will be appointed every Spring. 

And…

We are setting a timeline for a specific application period and dates when notices will go out. All members will be informed when committee invitations for awards, blogging teams, and other committees will be sent out. Additionally, all members will know when volunteer applications are being accepted and reviewed. The website will provide clear terms for all appointed groups and will include essential information regarding qualifications, the application process, and more.

The 2025 timeline is:

• Volunteer season launches on April 17, with wide recruiting between March 17 and April 21 (between St. Patrick’s Day and Easter).
• All applications will be downloaded after April 21 to begin the vetting and reviewing process. 
• On or around May 1, the first round of invitations will be sent in the following order.

1. Award Committees
2. Blogging Teams
3. Strategic/Process Committees 

• All Committees begin work on July 1.
  • Award committees & Blogging groups:  Coordinator training (chair) for leading discussions, communication protocols & information, review of criteria, deadlines, welcome emails, etc.
  • Full Committee training with Oversight Committee on criteria review, sample blogs, resources for titles, etc. 
  • Strategic Committee – Overall chair training, plus 1:1 meeting with chairs to review goals/tasklist for the year, welcome emails, communications protocols, etc. 
• Additional calls for volunteers will be made as needed. 

Remember these three things before you apply:

1. You have to be a current YALSA member. If your membership is close to expiring, please update it before you apply. This will aid us in the vetting process.
2. ALA has a strict 3 committee rule.  A member can only serve on three committees throughout the ALA.
3. YALSA Award committee members cannot serve on other awards committees or governing bodies within ALA.

Background information for some of these changes:

• During the past year, we discovered an old inactive volunteer form listed on the YALSA website. Each year, the correct form is listed on the announcement; however, we can not confirm or deny that the old form has been recently used.  This has been removed, and the YALSA team has updated the volunteer page. 

• The YALSA team will pilot a process for applicants who are ineligible for appointments.  This process will be two-tiered: first by listing eligibility information on the website and second by sending form letter emails to individuals.    This updated process will also assist in tracking individuals who have applied to multiple committees.

• The YALSA team will establish a calendar for appointment applications submission dates, review dates, and an expected date for invitations to be sent out.  This aligns YALSA with other divisions’ practices and provides transparency in the process.  This information will be listed on the website.

• The Award and Blogging groups are transitioning to a two-year term.  This will improve the volunteer experience, especially for new members. The timeframe for group work will not change; however, the additional months prior will provide time for the group to get to know each other and for various training opportunities.

• The additional months after the YMA announcements provide an opportunity for group members to participate in the celebrations at the annual conference.   Groups/group members may wish to promote their lists/winners before the annual conference.

Volunteer Form Quick Link

Serving three-year terms, YALSA Board members are responsible for jointly determining YALSA’s current and future programs, policies, and serving as liaisons to YALSA’s committees, juries, taskforces and advisory boards. Members work year-round, and attend regular Board meetings. A full description of Board duties and responsibilities can be found YALSA’s Duties and Responsibilities of the Board Members webpage. You can learn more about ALA elections on ALA’s Elections webpage.

For your convenience, here’s this link list for all of our YALSA 2025 Board Candidate Interviews:

Matthew Layne, YALSA 2025 Board Candidate for President-Elect Interview

Valerie Tagoe, YALSA 2025 Board Candidate for President-Elect Interview

Heather Love Beverley, YALSA 2025 Board Candidate for Secretary Interview

Carla Land, YALSA 2025 Board Candidate for Secretary Interview

Caroline Aversano, YALSA 2025 Board Candidate for Fiscal Officer Interview

Whitney Etchison, YALSA 2025 Board Candidate for Director at Large Interview

Robin Fogle Kurz, YALSA 2025 Board Candidate for Director at Large Interview

Rebecca Leonhard, YALSA 2025 Board Candidate for Director at Large Interview

Sheila E. Michaels, YALSA 2025 Board Candidate for Director at Large Interview

Clare O’Tsuji, YALSA 2025 Board Candidate for Director at Large Interview

Julia Torres, YALSA 2025 Board Candidate for Director at Large Interview

Serving three-year terms, YALSA Board members are responsible for jointly determining YALSA’s current and future programs, policies, and serving as liaisons to YALSA’s committees, juries, taskforces and advisory boards. Members work year-round, and attend regular Board meetings. A full description of Board duties and responsibilities can be found YALSA’s Duties and Responsibilities of the Board Members webpage. You can learn more about ALA elections on ALA’s Elections webpage.

What is your (preferred) name and current job position?

Julia Torres MAEd., MA, MLIS (she/her/ella) Teen Services Administrator

Please list your ALA and YALSA volunteer experiences in the last 5 years.

I volunteer with REFORMA Colorado at the annual conference and on the social media committee.

How will your specific leadership and volunteer experiences in ALA or throughout your career contribute to your position on the YALSA Board?

My most significant leadership experience was as Secondary Representative-at-Large with the National Council of Teachers of English. In that role, I attended Policy and Advocacy Day at the Capitol and represented the interests of secondary language arts teachers from across the nation. I also moderated countless webinars and served as a conference presenter at annual conferences from 2017 to 2020. What I learned in this experience is that the knowledge of practitioners and those on the front lines of librarianship and education is as important as those who study education or are in the field of higher education. I will work to seek input from those who directly interact with the youth we serve at every stage of my service on the YALSA Board.

I have been a member of The Educator Collaborative and have presented twice a year at their annual conference every year since 2019. In this role I have been a “Book Ambassador” and have worked to support educators and school librarians as they work to make their practice more equitable and inclusive. Through this role, I learned the importance of leadership and that a true “servant leader” is one who teaches others to lead through their service. In my time with the YALSA board, I plan to continue to seek out and learn from those who have demonstrated best practices in service to young people through librarianship. I also believe in elevating the voices and practices of those who have been historically marginalized and underrepresented, and so will be seeking out opportunities to do this through my work with YALSA.

I have also presented at School Library Journal and International Literacy Association webinars at the ILA conference and SLJ Summit. These opportunities gave me the chance to engage with the librarian community more widely and share the expertise I have worked to acquire in school settings with practitioners at a national level. Professional organizations are important as they are spaces to build community, strengthen understanding about purpose, and allow librarians to grow as individuals as well as collectively. In my time with the YALSA board, I plan to help strengthen the community by encouraging individuals to seek out and develop their strengths and consider how they can apply them to the common good. I believe in the idea that one should always be mentored and always be mentoring. YALSA members can look forward to enhanced opportunities to learn and grow together as we share what we know in community with one another.

How will you engage with YALSA members?

I will engage with YALSA members through professional development opportunities we develop together, including the annual conference. I plan to work with YALSA executive leadership to create opportunities for building community both in person and online. In a rapidly changing educational landscape, it is more important now than ever for those working in knowledge institutions to work together to clearly identify the problems, causes, and potential solutions to those problems that shape the experiences of young people as they grow and learn. I would like to connect with state library associations that focus on the needs of teen librarians in order to form lasting connections and expand YALSA’s reach.

What would you do to attract new YALSA members?

Attracting new membership has to be a cyclical process, with those who have been in the organization and gained from it working together with leadership to inspire new members. I would like to invite members at every level of the organization to speak to the memorable moments they have experienced as a result of their association with YALSA and to share how their membership has helped expand their understanding of young adult librarianship. The YALSA annual conference is an important part of attracting new members, so I think it would be powerful for the YALSA Ambassador program to consist of a cohort of new librarians who have recently completed library school to attend the conference and share their experiences with adopting new practices throughout the year. In my current position, we have celebrated Teentober each year and I would like to see the initiative expanded to include more libraries so that the yearly celebration of teens is more widely known and celebrated.

How will you further YALSA’s mission if elected to this position?

I will work with the YALSA executive team to revive the YALSA ambassador program, revive networking opportunities through on- and offline professional development, and help build community through seeking out and elevating the best of what existing and new members have to offer. It is important to continuously grow in understanding what it means to deliver truly inclusive librarianship, as the teens we serve are growing ever more diverse collectively both in their views and opinions about the world and their needs from knowledge institutions. I plan to use my skills and experience from my time as an educator, school librarian, and teen programs administrator to empower and inspire YALSA membership as we work collectively to serve young people and build a bright future.

Serving three-year terms, YALSA Board members are responsible for jointly determining YALSA’s current and future programs, policies, and serving as liaisons to YALSA’s committees, juries, taskforces and advisory boards. Members work year-round, and attend regular Board meetings. A full description of Board duties and responsibilities can be found YALSA’s Duties and Responsibilities of the Board Members webpage. You can learn more about ALA elections on ALA’s Elections webpage.

What is your (preferred) name and current job position?

Clare O’Tsuji (She/Her) – Branch Programming and Outreach Specialist for the Kentwood and Gaines Township Branches of Kent District Library.

Please list your ALA and YALSA volunteer experiences in the last 5 years.

• Chair, YALSA’s Presidential Initiatives Implementation Task Force (2023-2024)
• Member, YALSA’s Programming Committee (2024–Present)

How will your specific leadership and volunteer experiences in ALA or throughout your career contribute to your position on the YALSA Board?

Adaptive and Collaborative: My committee work has reinforced the value of creativity and collaboration across organizations and committees. My experience working in a public library inside a high school gives me a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities across both public and school libraries. I also bring strong project management, fiscal responsibility, and ethical leadership skills, having overseen local and national initiatives directly impacting teens and librarians working with youth. I’m committed to making YALSA’s initiatives practical, adaptable, and accessible for all library staff.

How will you engage with YALSA members?

Openly and with joy: I want every YALSA member to feel heard, valued, and connected. I’ll prioritize open, transparent communication and highlight the incredible work already happening in libraries. Celebrating members’ successes is vital to fostering an engaged and motivated community. 

What would you do to attract new YALSA members?

Fostering a strong community identity: YALSA is at its best when it’s a true support system. Membership spikes during conference years, in part due to the excitement of connecting and sharing experiences. I’d tap into that energy year-round by expanding YALSA’s role as a support system and supporting more spaces for open conversations, networking, and sharing real-world solutions. A welcoming, responsive community that makes it easy to get involved, find mentorship, and access practical resources will naturally attract and retain members.

How will you further YALSA’s mission if elected to this position?

Continuation and expansion of the sense of community: Ultimately, I want members to feel like YALSA is a community, not just a professional organization. It’s a place to find inspiration, practical support, and a network of peers who truly understand their work. I want to help build a YALSA that feels engaging, responsive, and member-driven. By championing equity, inclusive and diverse services for teens, and prioritizing professional development, I’ll ensure that YALSA remains a trusted, accessible resource for library staff in all types of libraries, regardless of size or budget. My goal is to help uplift and empower those doing the incredible work of serving teens every day.

Serving three-year terms, YALSA Board members are responsible for jointly determining YALSA’s current and future programs, policies, and serving as liaisons to YALSA’s committees, juries, taskforces and advisory boards. Members work year-round, and attend regular Board meetings. A full description of Board duties and responsibilities can be found YALSA’s Duties and Responsibilities of the Board Members webpage. You can learn more about ALA elections on ALA’s Elections webpage.

What is your (preferred) name and current job position?

Sheila E. Michaels, BookBag Program Director, she/her/hers

Please list your ALA and YALSA volunteer experiences in the last 5 years.

Alex Award Committee, 2024-2025
Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA)

Presidential Initiatives Implementation Taskforce, 2023-2024
Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA)

Missouri School Library Standards Task Force, 2022-present
Missouri Association of School Librarians (MASL)

Intellectual Freedom Committee, 2022-2023
Missouri Association of School Librarians (MASL)

Frances Henne Award Committee, 2022-2025
American Association of School Librarians (AASL)

Benjamin Franklin Awards Judge, 2022-2025
Independent Book Publishers Association (IPBA)

Class of Emerging Leaders, 2022
American Library Association (ALA)

Gateway Award Committee, 2019-2020
Missouri Association of School Librarians (MASL)

How will your specific leadership and volunteer experiences in ALA or throughout your career contribute to your position on the YALSA Board?

Volunteer experiences with YALSA, ALA, AASL, and MASL have enriched my librarianship and given me opportunities to engage with librarians throughout the country as we work together to provide teens with outstanding and engaging programs and library opportunities. As a 22 year public educator at the secondary level, I have dedicated my career to teens. And that is where my heart still lies. Teens need library professionals who have given their time to understanding their unique needs. It’s not enough to be in the library space; going the extra mile to give time and energy to leadership and volunteer roles has enriched my understanding of the profession. I am in the Midwest, and I know that while the human experience is fundamentally the same–we all deserve respect, empathy, and compassion–I have learned a lot from being able to work with librarians throughout the country as we have dedicated ourselves to YALSA and to the bigger picture of what library services can mean for teens.

How will you engage with YALSA members?

Engaging with YALSA members is one of the most exciting prospects of being on the board. While every YALSA professional is dedicated to their work with teens, I know that we can learn best from each other. Now more than ever, YALSA members need each other for support and insight. There are several ways that I will engage with members as a board member: a robust social media presence, attending major conferences to make connections in person, and making myself available to any member as a listening ear.

Social media presence is vital to keep members apprised of my work as a board member: what am I working toward? How am I advocating for libraries? How am I availing myself to members for conversation and connection? All of these should be evident in my online presence.

Attending conferences (in person or digitally) will be a priority as well. YALSA members need to see their board members engaging with other librarians and professional development.

Board members should be examples of visibility, engagement, and learning. We should be present, be accessible, and always be learning. As a YALSA board member, I will always be a text, phone call, or email away.

What would you do to attract new YALSA members?

Attracting new members is vital to the health of the organization. Being visible and accessible to members is the first step in building the organization. Beyond that, as a board member I will communicate my advocacy for the teen library space and engage with stakeholders who are similarly dedicated to librarianship. Engagement and relevance go hand-in-hand; new members must see the value of YALSA membership and how the organization can enrich their professional development. Board members should make it a priority to contribute relevant, timely content to YALSA’s digital spaces.

Board members should also be at the forefront of responding to library issues–within the board’s purview–as events or legislation come up that directly affect librarianship. Establishing a mentorship program for new members could draw in new members–especially those that work in isolation or on a small team. Likewise, having a referral incentive would inspire existing members to help recruitment efforts. A dynamic social media presence to keep people informed on what YALSA is doing to advance the profession will also draw professionals who are not familiar with all that the organization has to offer.

A member toolkit on ways to be involved at all levels will help members stay engaged and contribute in meaningful ways to the organization. Drawing new members starts with building the membership base by engaging and relevant content and opportunities to contribute to and lead within YALSA.

How will you further YALSA’s mission if elected to this position?

What stands out to me in YALSA’s mission statement are the ideas of empowerment and equity. In 2025, no library organization can afford to be on the sidelines. It’s not enough to be informed; we must be engaged and empowered to act in meaningful ways that reflect our association’s values. People are uncertain of what the near future holds, and as a YALSA board member, I pledge to be visible and accessible to members. I will keep informed and stay proactively engaged to ensure libraries and their patrons enjoy equity and access.

Serving three-year terms, YALSA Board members are responsible for jointly determining YALSA’s current and future programs, policies, and serving as liaisons to YALSA’s committees, juries, taskforces and advisory boards. Members work year-round, and attend regular Board meetings. A full description of Board duties and responsibilities can be found YALSA’s Duties and Responsibilities of the Board Members webpage. You can learn more about ALA elections on ALA’s Elections webpage.

What is your (preferred) name and current job position?

Rebecca Leonhard
she/her/hers
As of February 17, 2025: Outreach and Engagement Librarian, Assistant Professor in the University Libraries, Colgate University

Please list your ALA and YALSA volunteer experiences in the last 5 years.

February 2024-present
Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) Board of Directors, Ex-Officio Member

February 2024-present
Chair – Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) Organization and Bylaws Committee

2023-present
ALA Core Emerging Technology Trends Committee

2021-2023
Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) Teens’ Top Ten

2020-2021
ALA Core Mentoring Program Mentor

2019-2022 & 2023-2024
Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) Organization and Bylaws Committee

2018-2019
Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) Research Committee

How will your specific leadership and volunteer experiences in ALA or throughout your
career contribute to your position on the YALSA Board?

My leadership and volunteer experiences within ALA and YALSA, combined with my professional career, have prepared me to contribute meaningfully to the YALSA Board of Directors. I currently serve as an Ex-Officio Member of the YALSA Board of Directors and as Chair of YALSA’s Organization & Bylaws committee, where I help guide the organization’s governance and strategic alignment with ALA. Additionally, I have served multiple terms on the YALSA Organization & Bylaws Committee (2019-2022, 2023-2024) and contributed to initiatives such as the Teens’ Top Ten Committee (2021-2023) and the YALSA Research Committee (2018-2019).

Beyond YALSA, I have taken on leadership roles across ALA, including serving on ALA Core’s Emerging Technology Trends Committee (2023-present) and as a mentor in the ALA Core Mentoring Program (2020-2021). These experiences have strengthened my ability to navigate organizational structures, mentor emerging professionals, and champion innovative approaches to library services.

In my professional career, I have held leadership positions in academic and school libraries across Switzerland, China, Germany, and Qatar. My international experience has given me a broad perspective on equity, access, and student engagement—key considerations in YALSA’s mission to support library professionals serving diverse teen communities.

As a YALSA Board member, I bring a strategic mindset, a commitment to mentorship and professional development, and a passion for fostering inclusive, forward-thinking library services for teens. My extensive committee service, leadership experience, and expertise in young adult library services will allow me to contribute effectively to the Board’s work, ensuring YALSA’s continued growth and impact.

How will you engage with YALSA members?

As a YALSA Board member, I will engage with YALSA members by fostering open communication, collaboration, and professional development opportunities, while also advocating for the essential role of libraries in supporting intellectual freedom, access to diverse materials, and teen engagement. My leadership roles within YALSA, including serving as an Ex-Officio Board Member and Chair of the Organization & Bylaws Committee, have given me insight into the needs and concerns of our members. I will use this experience to ensure that YALSA remains responsive, inclusive, and forward-thinking.

In light of ongoing book bans and attacks on libraries, it is more important than ever for YALSA to support its members who are on the front lines of defending teens’ right to read. I will work to ensure that YALSA provides the advocacy resources, professional development opportunities, and networking spaces that empower members to navigate these challenges. Additionally, I will help YALSA strengthen its engagement with members by supporting its efforts to facilitate meaningful discussions, training sessions, and collaborative initiatives that address their evolving needs.

I am also committed to supporting mentorship and professional development, drawing from my experience as a mentor and my background in academic and school libraries across multiple countries. Recognizing the diverse needs of YALSA members, I will advocate for accessible, relevant resources that equip librarians to support teens effectively in their communities.

By staying actively engaged with members, listening to their concerns, and helping YALSA advance its mission, I will contribute to ensuring that all members feel supported—especially in today’s increasingly challenging climate.

What would you do to attract new YALSA members?

Attracting new YALSA members starts with demonstrating the association’s impact on teen services professionals and ensuring that membership provides meaningful value. I would support YALSA’s efforts to reach a broader audience by highlighting the tangible benefits of joining—whether through professional development, leadership opportunities, or access to a supportive community of peers.

One way to expand YALSA’s reach is by engaging with library professionals who may not typically see themselves as part of the organization. This includes school librarians, early-career professionals, and those in academic or special libraries who work with teens in various capacities. By highlighting the shared challenges and goals among these professionals, we can demonstrate how YALSA’s resources and community can support their work, making the organization more accessible and relevant to a broader audience.

Another key strategy is fostering connections between potential members and the existing YALSA community. My experience as a mentor has reinforced the importance of creating welcoming spaces for professional growth. Additionally, I’ve seen how online engagement—such as social media campaigns, virtual networking events, and interactive content—can create a dynamic presence that resonates with new audiences. Expanding YALSA’s digital footprint can help reach library professionals who may not be able to attend in-person events but still want to connect with the community. Encouraging these connections can help prospective members feel a sense of belonging and see the direct value of engaging with YALSA.

Finally, advocacy plays a significant role in drawing in new members. Many library workers are looking for professional guidance that will support them in navigating today’s challenges, including book bans, funding issues, and the evolving role of libraries. By emphasizing YALSA’s commitment to intellectual freedom, equity in teen services, and professional development, we can attract mission-driven individuals who want to be part of a strong, active organization.

Through these strategies, I would work to help YALSA grow its membership and ensure that all teen services professionals—regardless of their background or library setting—feel welcome and supported in the organization.

How will you further YALSA’s mission if elected to this position?

If elected to this position, I will further YALSA’s mission by drawing on my experiences as both a librarian and an active YALSA member to support and empower those working with teens. Throughout my career in school and academic libraries across multiple countries, I’ve seen firsthand how access to resources, mentorship, and a strong professional network can make a difference—not just for librarians, but for the teens and communities we serve. YALSA played a significant role in my own professional growth, and I want to help ensure that others have the same opportunities to learn, connect, and advocate for the needs of young people.

One of my priorities will be to support YALSA’s professional development efforts. As a mentor and committee leader, I’ve seen how important it is to create spaces where library professionals can share ideas and build confidence in their skills. Whether through networking, training opportunities, or mentorship programs, I will work to ensure that YALSA members—whether new to the field or experienced professionals—feel supported and have access to resources that strengthen their ability to serve teens.

Advocacy is also deeply personal to me. In today’s climate, where book bans and intellectual freedom challenges are increasing, it’s more important than ever to support those on the front lines. I will strive to ensure members have access to the tools and community they need to navigate these challenges. No librarian should feel alone in this fight, and YALSA can be a powerful source of strength and solidarity.

Finally, I want to help YALSA continue to grow as an inclusive and welcoming organization. I want others to find a professional home in YALSA—regardless of their library setting or career stage—and for them to feel a sense of belonging and community. By focusing on engagement, support, and advocacy, I will do my best to further YALSA’s mission and ensure it remains a vital resource for those dedicated to serving teens.