The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) is a division of the American Library Association dedicated to "support[ing] library staff in alleviating the challenges teens face, and in putting all teens - especially those with the greatest needs - on the path to successful and fulfilling lives." For those who work with teens, whether that be in a library, classroom, or youth program setting, YALSA offers YALSA Academy, a series of short training videos, created by youth library experts, that address a number of topical issues. There are currently 19 videos viewable on the YALSA Academy YouTube channel. In one video, Oklahoma City librarian Meghan Hunt Wilson discusses how to connect teenagers to mental health resources and services. Other videos outline how librarians can use social media programs, such as Twitter, for outreach efforts, or offer advice for creating and fostering a teen-friendly space in a public library. While aimed specifically at young adult librarians, YALSA Academy is a valuable resource for all public librarians as well as anyone who works with teens.
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