NEWS: For Immediate Release October 27, 2009

Contact: Macey Morales ALA Media Relations 312-280-4393 mmorales@ala.org

Join thousands as ALA , ALSC and YALSA unveil the best of the best in children’s and young adult literature and media

CHICAGO - The American Library Association (ALA) will provide a free live webcast of its Youth Media Awards, a national announcement of the top books and media for children and young adults, on Jan. 18, at 7:45 a.m. EST. The award announcements are made as part of the ALA Midwinter Meeting, which will bring together librarians, publishers, authors and guests to the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center from Jan. 15 to 19.

Recognized worldwide for the high quality they represent, the ALA Youth Media Awards guide parents, educators, librarians and others in selecting the best materials for children and young adults.  This year’s announcement includes 17 awards including the  Coretta Scott King Book Awards; John Newbery Medal;  Michael L. Printz Award; Schneider Family Book Award; and the Randolph Caldecott Medal.

Unikron, a streaming content provider, will host the ALA Youth Media Awards Webcast. The number of available connections for the Webcast is limited and the broadcast is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Online visitors can view the live Webcast the morning of the announcements by going to http://alawebcast.unikron.com.  Those interested in following the action live should bookmark the URL. 

The ALA will instantly announce presentation results using Twitter. Members can view live updates on the ALA Youth Media Awards press kit  and via tweets at http://twitter.com/ALAyma. Members can also follow live updates via the Youth Media Awards RSS and the ALA Youth Media Awards Facebook page.  

The press release announcing all ALA Youth Media Award recipients will be posted in the Youth Media Awards Press Kit at http://www.ala.org/yma  prior to 9:30 a.m. EST.