Youth Services Section

Tuesday, September 15, 2020

via Zoom

In attendance: Marissa Antosh, Carol Gafford, Katrina Ireland, Kat Lewin, Audrey Snowden, Ellen Sulzycki 

1. Hi, hello, and how are you? 

(attendees were generally okay)

2. Social media: 

1. Silly or serious? Articles or memes? Perhaps both to generate interest.

2. Updated list of copyright for storytimes?

The YSS FB page posts a mixture of serious and silly stuff; the silly stuff will reel people in, and then they’ll get the serious content (“serious” like meeting times). This page might be a good place to keep an updated list (as a pinned post) of copyright guidelines for storytimes. April Mazza might be keeping a list. The YSS Twitter is not so active right now.

Not only the focus but the scope of the page should be examined. Ellen stressed the importance of having written social media guidelines, both to shape content strategy and to keep any postings out of potential hot water. Any postings should definitely fall under the MLA umbrella (MLA put out a BLM statement (MLA Statement on Violence and Racial Injustice), but we should be more clear about the focus of the page (i.e., how political do we want to get?). Social media guidelines will be explored further by reaching out to Anna Mickelson on the MLA Public Relations Committee. Currently the YSS FB page will continue to post a mixture of useful information (sharing good program ideas or book recommendations) and lighter engagement posts. The goal for our next meeting is to solidify the mission and focus of YSS social media, and Kat will start a Google doc (Katrina suggested beginning with the current MLA guidelines) to disseminate to the board for collaboration.

3. Newsletter!

4. Would anyone read it?

Carol would. Yes, probably. 

2. What to put in? 

Programming ideas, information about upcoming meetings, smaller versions of conference presentations such as how to put together STEM kits, or how to set up teen rooms on a budget. The purpose would be both informational and for YSS recruitment (include a MLA join link in the footer!). Carol suggested checking out Fall 2020 YSS Newsletter (NYLA) for inspiration.

3. How often?

Quarterly, with a beginning goal date of January 2021.

YSS has a Mailchimp account, and Kat will get the current member list from MLA and get a go-ahead from the head of the PR committee. Ellen recommended checking out https://thecardigannewsletter.com (Instagram: @thecardigannewsletter) for inspiration. Kat will put out a call in the near future for articles, photos, professional development stuff, etc. Carol and Kat will brainstorm regular section ideas.

4. Speaker update: registering teens to vote

Katrina: reached out to the speaker who did not think there was enough time to prepare a presentation. Audrey will post on the YSS Facebook page about Voter Registration Day (9/22). Marissa noted it’s possible to preregister to vote at age 16, now. 

5. Calendars still available!

Yes they are. To promote, we could post on Facebook, or tweet something and tag MLA so they can retweet it. 

6. Open discussion/general merriment

Raffi does not, in fact, follow everyone back.

The next board meeting is Nov. 17 at 2 pm.