CHICAGO — Starting March 7, the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) will accept applications for its 2011-2012 mentoring program. The program will pair an experienced librarian (six years experience or more) with a new librarian (fewer than six years experience) or graduate student in a library science program. The program will encourage both the mentor and protégé to provide guidance and support for one another.

Applications for the mentoring program will open online March 7 and close April 15. Applicants will be notified of their status in July, with training and matching to follow. The mentoring period is August 2011 to July 2012. For more information, visit www.ala.org/yalsa/mentoring or contact Eve Gaus, YALSA program officer for continuing education, at egaus@ala.org or 1 (800) 545-2433, ext. 5293.

“Teen librarians all come from different places and have knowledge to share,” said YALSA President Kim Patton. “When we engage each other and share our strengths, we can help ourselves become better professionals and help our organization grow.”

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

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