FAQ

What is Teen Read Week ?
Teen Read Week will be held October 15-21, 2006

WHO: Teen Read Week is an adolescent literacy initiative of the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), the fastest growing division of the American Library Association. YALSA welcomes Corporate Sponsors, Promotional Partners, and Nonprofit Supporters. Past sponsors include Barnes & Noble, Inc., New Line Cinema, Random House, and Harcourt. Friends include CrossGen Comics, Scholastic, Dark Horse Comics and Pamela Spencer Holley. Nonprofit supporting organizations include: American Association of School Administrators, American Booksellers Association, Kidsnet, National Association of Secondary School Principals, National Council of Teachers of English, SmartGirl.org, National Education Association, National School Boards Association, Speak Up Press, International Reading Association, TeenInk and The N/Noggin.

WHAT: Teen Read Week is a national literacy initiative aimed at teens, their parents, librarians, educators, booksellers and other concerned adults. It began in 1998 and is celebrated the third week in October.

"Teens deserve a wide horizon of books," says author Naomi Shihab Nye. She continues, "They read and the world opens up." The main theme for the Teen Read Week initiative is "Read For The Fun Of It," and a sub-theme that changes each year serves as a basis for developing programs in schools, public libraries, and bookstores. This year’s sub-theme is "Get Active @ your library®," and it promotes nonfiction as a tool for getting young adults to read. If you have a recommendation for a theme for 2007, please send it to yalsa@ala.org.

WHERE: At hundreds of public and school libraries, classrooms, and bookstores across the country.

WHY: Although teens realize the importance of reading, they have a huge menu of activities to choose from when deciding how to spend their free time, and reading gets lost in the shuffle. Reading skills get rusty when they are not used.

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) reports that over the last 20 years there have been only modest gains in reading achievement. And although there are many active literacy campaigns, very few efforts focus on teenagers.

My community doesn't know about Teen Read Week. Why doesn't YALSA more widely publicize the event?
Although YALSA sends out press releases to many major media outlets, it isn't possible for us to send them to every one in the US and abroad. So we encourage each participating library, school, or bookstore to advertise their events in their local media. Please use our sample press releases and public service announcements to help you spread the word about Teen Read Week. As an association, we are only as strong as our members. Help spread the word!

I contacted a Teen Read WeekCorporate Sponsor and Promotional Partner, but they would not donate anything to my organization. What role does a sponsor play?
YALSA is a non-profit association that relies on sponsorships to help fund our efforts to plan and promote Teen Read Weekat a national level. A corporate sponsorship for Teen Read Week means that the corporation provides support directly to YALSA so it can fund Teen Read Week. Unfortunately, it does not mean that they will financially support each organization that plans to celebrate Teen Read Week. We encourage you to approach local businesses in your community and ask if they are willing to donate money, goods, or time towards your local events. Be sure to remind them that their donation is tax deductible!

Can I use the Teen Read Week artwork that is on the web site or posters to create my own displays?
There are two different logos YALSA has created that you may use for free to help promote Teen Read Week. One of them is the generic Teen Read Week logo (Read for the Fun of It!) and the other one is the theme specific logo. In order to have access to the theme specific logo, you must register for Teen Read Week. If these images are not the quality you were looking for, there are downloadable images you can purchase in the ALA Online Store.

I can't download the logo. Is there something wrong with the file?
The fist thing you should do is check to make sure that you have photo viewing software installed on your computer. If you do not, you will need to download a word file and copy the images from there.

I registered for Teen Read Week but haven't received anything. Why?

Your registration helps YALSA know how many people participate in Teen Read Week  and ensures that it will be an ongoing event! Nothing is sent to confirm that you registered; however, registered participants have access to a theme specific logo to use for promotion and are often sent freebies from our corporate sponsors. We respect your privacy and do not share your name or contact information with anyone.

Why should I register?
YALSA is a non profit organization that depends on its members for support. By registering, you are letting us know that teen literacy is a concern and you are willing to do something about it! By registering, you are telling YALSA that this program is worthwhile, and we will continue to sponsor the week.

I do not like the theme; it isn't popular with my teens. What can I do?
The general theme of Teen Read Week is 'Read for the Fun of It' and this theme can always be used in place of the more specific theme for the year. In this case, Get Active @ your library encourages teens to read books that will help them become more active in their life 'for the fun of it'. The most important thing is that teens are encouraged to read, no matter what the theme. So feel free to adapt concepts or activities to fit with your teens' specific needs during Teen Read Week! Be sure to contact YALSA with any theme ideas for future Teen Read Weeks.

I like to plan ahead, what are the dates for Teen Read Week  2007?

Teen Read Week is held each year the third week in October.
October 14 - 20, 2007
October 12 - 18, 2008
October 18 - 24, 2009
October 17 - 23. 2010
October 16 - 22, 2011

I have an idea for a Teen Read Week  theme, what should I do?
We love new ideas! Please send all your ideas for a Teen Read Week theme to the YALSA office.

I am not a librarian, can I still participate?
YES! Teen Read Week is a national literacy initiative aimed at teens, their parents, librarians, educators, booksellers and other concerned adults. If you would like to participate, just register!

Does it cost anything to participate in Teen Read Week ?
No, it does not cost anything to register or participate. Products are available for purchase to help you promote Teen Read Week and your activities, but you are not required to purchase anything to participate.

I am interested in Teen Read Week, but how do I participate?
There are many ways that you can participate in Teen Read Week. You can offer special programs, contests, book displays, or simply encourage teens to read!

I am a teen, what can I do?
The best thing to do is to talk to a teacher or your local public or school librarian. Ask them if they have anything planned for Teen Read Week and let them know you are interested in helping out. If your teacher or librarian does not have anything planned or has never heard of Teen Read Week, show them this web site and help them get started! Also, don't forget to vote for the Teens' Top Ten and for next year's Teen Read Week  theme!