INTRODUCTION

Mission Statement
OYAN is a non-profit, educational and informational organization whose goals are to advocate for excellence in library service for teens, to take a proactive role in providing library services to teens, and to provide a network for communication among those who work with teens.

Meetings
General meetings are held quarterly and are open to OYAN members and the public. Only members have a vote during these meetings. These meetings are held in a variety of locations across the state to allow OYAN members in different geographical areas to attend. In addition, the Executive Board meets annually between the summer and fall meetings to plan and prepare for the upcoming year.

The Executive Board
The board is made up of a Chair, Vice Chair/Chair Elect, Newsletter Editor, Web Editor, Secretary, and Past Chair. New Officers are elected at the spring quarterly meeting and inducted at the fall meeting. All OYAN members are encouraged to participate in this level of the organization.

RESOURCE SHARING

One of the great things about being an OYAN member is learning about what others in the field are doing. OYAN members share their combined knowledge and expertise through a variety of media and formats:

1. Program Sharing and Development
Program sharing will be on the agenda at each quarterly meeting. Topics may include educational/recreational programming, Teen Summer Reading, school/public library cooperation, advisory councils, etc. Also, any member who has attended a relevant conference will make a report at OYAN meetings.

2. Newsletter
The Newsletter Editor will publish the OYAN Review at least three times a year. The newsletter is distributed electronically before each meeting and print copies are made available upon request. An archive of the review is available on OYAN's web site. Newsletters will include YA book reviews, program ideas, reports from conferences attended, and other items of interest to the membership. It will also contain the agenda for the upcoming quarterly meeting, including driving directions and lunch options.

3. Book Reviewing and Bibliographies
Oral book reviews will be on the agenda at least two meetings per year. The membership submits written reviews to the OYAN Review on a regular basis. Members are also encouraged to share any copies of recent teen-specific bibliographies that they have developed.

4. Book Review
The OYAN Book Rave is an annual list of recommended young adult literature selected by OYAN members. Nominations are solicited throughout the year, with a final vote taking place during the winter membership meeting. Titles are chosen that represent a variety of genres and reading levels. Print copies of the Book Rave are distributed to libraries and electronic copies, including an archive, are posted on the OYAN web site.

5. Web Site
The Web Editor will maintain the OYAN web site to serve the purposes of the organization and to enhance communication. 

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

OYAN offers its members a variety of ways to enrich members' professional experience. Involved members of OYAN are exposed to new ideas in the field and also find great networking opportunities.

A.   OYAN-sponsored Conference Programs

1. OLA Annual Conference
OYAN will sponsor at least one presentation at the conference; OYAN is also on a biennial rotation to present a pre-conference session. Members are encouraged to develop program ideas, contact possible presenters, or be presenters themselves!

2. Other Conferences
OYAN also presents at a variety of other conferences, specifically the Oregon Educational Media Association (OEMA), Pacific Northwest Library Association (PNLA), and the National Council of the Teachers of English (NCTE) conferences. Programs focus on specialized library service for teens, readers advisory for teens, developmental behavior and positive youth development, and more.

B.   Scholarships

OYAN will provide scholarships to relevant conferences for current OYAN members. The number of scholarships given will be dependent on the annual amount budgeted for scholarships.

Scholarship Form

ADVOCACY AND PROMOTION OF YOUNG ADULT SERVICES

OYAN is recognized throughout the state and nation as being advocates for teens and teen services in libraries, and we strive to promote our ideals in the following ways:

1. OYAN will work to promote cooperation between school and public libraries

2. OYAN will strive to increase awareness of Teen Library Services in the state.

3. OYAN will develop and distribute the Book Rave, an annual compilation of recommended literature for teen readers.

4. OYAN will annually recognize an individual, library, organization, program, or initiative that has made a positive and significant contribution to teens in libraries in the state of Oregon with the OYEA! (OYAN's You're Excellent Award). Please see the OLA Bylaws, Chapter 16B, for complete information regarding the award.

5. OYAN will conduct its main fundraiser, the OYAN Raffle, at each year's OLA Conference. This raffle, while raising funds for the organization, also serves to promote OYAN and what the division offers library workers throughout the state.

6. OYAN members are encouraged to submit annual recommendations for the Young Reader's Choice Award presented by the Pacific Northwest Library Association.

This document will be reviewed annually by the Executive Board. The Board will report to the general membership at the following quarterly meeting. The document will be distributed to the membership upon revision, and to new members as they arrive.     Revised 9/06