When: Monday, April 13 at 12:00
Where: Hybrid:
IN-PERSON at the Marilyn J. Praisner Library, Montgomery County Public Libraries, Burtonsville
Online via MLA Connect
Sharing topic: Show & Tell
Not on the mailing list? Email us at ysd.mdlib@gmail.com.
*need help with MLA Connect? Drop us a line at ysd.mdlib@gmail.org and we'll help you or get you to someone who can!
The Youth Services Division (YSD) is open to any Maryland Library Association member with an interest in library services, programs, and materials for children and teens. Our members include children’s and teen librarians, media specialists, generalists, and paraprofessionals, all united by a shared passion for serving young people and supporting libraries.
Professional development programs
YSD offers a wide range of learning opportunities throughout the year, featuring both outside experts and knowledgeable colleagues. Many programs provide CEUs.
Conference programs and preconferences
YSD collaborates with other MLA divisions to plan sessions for the annual MLA/DLA Conference each May.
Black-Eyed Susan Tapestry (BEST)
BEST celebrates outstanding children’s and teen books while helping you strengthen your readers’ advisory skills. Offered as spring and fall virtual sessions.
Kids Are Customers
Our annual full-day conference focused on youth services.
Webinars and trainings
We provide timely, accessible training on a variety of topics related to youth services and literature.
Blue Crab Young Reader Award
YSD administers this annual award recognizing outstanding fiction and nonfiction for early and transitional readers.
Advocacy
We advocate for high-quality library services for children and teens, and for the resources needed to support that work in libraries of all sizes.
Newsletter
Our quarterly newsletter shares program highlights, upcoming events, practical ideas, and trends in youth services across Maryland.
Networking and peer support
Through meetings, programs, and publications, YSD connects library staff across the state to share ideas, successes, challenges, and encouragement.
Attend a meeting
YSD meets monthly via MLA Connect on the second Monday at 12:00 p.m. (or the first Monday if the second falls on a holiday). We also host hybrid meetings twice a year, in the spring and fall, at locations across the state. Meetings are where we plan programs, set priorities, and share ideas.
Write for the newsletter
Try your hand at professional writing in a low-stress way. Contribute an article, program recap, book or media review, captioned photos, or anything of interest to youth services staff. Submit using our newsletter form.
Join a YSD committee
Ready to get more involved? Keep an eye out for opportunities to serve on committees like Kids Are Customers or the Blue Crab Awards.
Lead a book discussion at Black-Eyed Susan Tapestry
We host book discussions at each Black-Eyed Susan Tapestry conference, held twice a year—plenty of chances to participate.
Join our mailing list
Stay up to date with newsletters, meeting announcements, and events. We keep it low-volume—only YSD officers post. To join, email ysd.mdlib@gmail.com with “Join Mailing List” in the subject line.
Attend a program or webinar
Learn from experts and colleagues through programs designed specifically for library staff.
Present a program or webinar
Many of our presenters are Maryland library professionals. Sharing your expertise is a great way to grow professionally.
Contact us
Have a question or idea? Reach out at ysd.mdlib@gmail.com