Abron chosen as 2020 YALSA MAE Award recipient

CHICAGO — The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) has awarded Dawn Abron, Creative Learning Space & Teen Services Supervisor at the Zion-Benton Public Library in Zion, IL, its 2020 Margaret A. Edwards (MAE) Award for Best Literature Program for Teens for her “YAASS” Box program.

“The YAASS Box (Young Adult Awesomely Super Subscription Box) was an out-of-the box idea to get busy teens reading for fun,” said Abron. “Teen participants of the program benefit in many ways. The Box has given them an opportunity to discover new genres and to read for fun. Participants are able to grow their own personal libraries by keeping the book and they are able to stay connected to the library during their busy lives by doing the book discussion on social media on their own time. I believe The Box is growing life-long readers.”

The MAE Award honors a YALSA member for developing an outstanding reading or literature program for young adults. Recipients receive $500 and an additional $500 for their libraries. It is sponsored by the Margaret A. Edwards Trust.

The application form for the MAE Award for Best Literature Program is available in the Grants and Awards section of the YALSA website. Applications must be received by Dec. 1, 2020.

The MAE Award Jury members are: Chair Kathleen Barker, Plymouth, MI; Caroline Aversano, Hamilton, NJ; Rebecca Baldwin, Garfield Heights, OH; Leslie Flynn, Austin Public Library, Austin, TX; and Ellen Stolarski, Saint Marys Area School District, Saint Marys, PA.

The mission of the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) is to support 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 more information about YALSA or to access national guidelines and other resources go to www.ala.org/yalsa, or contact the YALSA office by phone, 800-545-2433, ext. 4390; or e-mail: yalsa@ala.org.