Get ready to vote! The YALSA election runs from March 19 through April 25, and to help you be an informed voter, we’re sharing interviews with each of the 2014 candidates for YALSA Award Committees.
This week we are focusing on the Michael L. Printz Award Committee, which honors the best book and up to four honor books written for teens, based entirely on literary merit, each year.
Candidates, who will be presented in alphabetical order, were asked to craft “Twitter-length” responses (i.e. around 140 characters). Full biographical information on all of the candidates can be found on the sample ballot.
Today we have an interview with Brooke Young.
Name and current position: Brooke Young, Teen Services Manager, Salt Lake City Public Library
Why did you decide to run for a YALSA selection committee?
I love volunteering for YALSA and making connections with other librarians on committees. Serving on selection committees really infuses me with a new sense of energy about being a teen librarian.
In a nutshell, what will you bring to the committee?
There’s nothing I like more than debating books with others who like it too. I really enjoy it when someone changes my mind about a book. I like to leave myself open to the power of a good argument.
What experience do you have with materials selection and evaluation?
I was the YA Selector for the Salt Lake City Public Library system, buying fiction, non-fiction, and graphic novels for 6 locations. I was also the AV Selector. Committee experience includes BBYA & BFYA.
What makes you a good fit for this committee in particular?
I think for the Printz, you have to think about your choices; be willing to listen to arguments for and against books. I don’t mind re-reading books, and I don’t get my feelings hurt by different opinions.
How do you plan to manage the reading load required by selection committee participation?
One thing about being on a committee like BFYA is that it teaches you to read the big books first to manage a big reading load. Have a good note taking system. And always expect the Spanish Inquisition.
What have been some of your favorite past winners of this particular award?
I’ve loved a lot of the Printz winners & honors. Huge fan of Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz. An all-time favorite is Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta.
What books should have won the award, but didn’t?
This is a hard question because I know how widely and intensely committees read and re-read. And once you read books 3 times, those books can change a lot. So what I’m saying is, I think I’ll pass on this one.
What else do voters need to know about you?
I really love soccer. I have a weakness for cookies. I read romance novels when I feel stressed. And my favorite holiday is Pioneer Day, which only exists in Utah & is celebrated with a truly insane parade.
**All award committee candidate interviews are crossposted to both the YALSAblog and The Hub.
