Issue 24 Spring 1998 What is YLG? Tricia King	Collections under which this       article appears:       YLG Related Articles or Resources Other Articles by Author

This was the title of the Youth Libraries Group publicity leaflet some years ago, describing the function and activities of YLG as the special interest group of The Library Association representing library services for children and young people. 'What is YLG?' is a timely question now, as we assess our objectives and activities in the library world today. In that world there is also the Youth Libraries Committee which works to The Library Association Council, ASCEL - the Association of Senior Children's and Education Librarians - representing the school and public library services for young people in the increasing number of local authorities across the country, as well as the School Libraries Group and the School Library Association.

In YLG's 1998 publicity leaflet there are no questions - simply the clear statements that YLG "aims to inspire and support library services working with children and young people, and to promote excellence in the provision of these services".

The Youth Libraries Committee, ASCEL, SLG and SLA certainly also work to these or similar aims - and many members of these bodies also belong to YLG. So what is special about YLG?

As I write, the answers come tumbling into my head to be set down: answers from experience and observation, from discussions and arguments, from feedback and appreciations, and from the heart. The answers are there too in the wide range of YLG's membership and all its activities.

YLG encompasses all who work with, are involved with and care about the literature and library services, public and school, for children and young people. The group contains wide 'grass roots representation, and this is one of its strengths - members who are directly in contact with children and children's books, and with the 'front line' of library services.

And look at just some of the courses run and issues covered by YLG Branches in 1997: 'Getting Beyond the Cover - Attracting Children to Books', 'Cybercafes', 'Information Skills for Children with Special Needs', 'To Buy or Not to Buy', 'Sponsorship and Fund-raising', 'Storytelling for the Millennium', 'Chidren's Services into the 21st Century' ... Through the activities of YLG Branches come opportunities for current awareness, training, developing organisation and management skills, networking and making contacts - and making friends. At national level the opportunities and activities continue; vital input to the selection process for the Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Awards, a popular and prestigious Annual Conference, a unique professional journal - 'Youth Library Review', high-quality publications, a voice on national issues, strong links with children's writers, illustrators, and publishers.

What then is YLG? Why is it not only a special interest group - but also a special group?

Here are the words of a past YLG National Chair, Grace Kempster, distilling all of the above.

"YLG is a forum for growing library leaders and lifelong library users a unique voice of those delivering powerful connections with future adults the investment arm of the entire library world the vanguard of excellence connecting readers with the books they delight in the innovative stronghold of booktalking, plugged into 'live children now' uniquely warm with common purpose and shared passion combining excellence with fun, humour and the highest professionalism."

Our YLG Annual Conference this year is called 'Making An Impact'. We know that YLG is special and that what we do matters. 'Making An Impact' offers inspiration and practical strategies to make that special impact - and to get everyone else to know about it too.