Criteria for Web Site Links

Selection of Professional Resources
Selection of Library Pages

If you would like to submit a site for the YALSA Web site send us an e-mail. In your message include your name, your e-mail address, the name of the site you would like us to consider, and the site's URL.

A. Criteria for Selection of Professional Resources Linked from the YALSA Web Site

• The site contains information to assist librarians serving young adults in their professional role. This includes resources related to young adult services in libraries, to young adults in society, and to reviews of young adult materials, for example.
• The source for the content of the site is listed. Author contact information is provided.
• The information on the site is current. A creation/revision date is provided. Update information is available.
• The site is easy to use and does not require the highest-level of technology available in order to access its resources.
• The site is free from heavy marketing or promotions related to products sold by the creators/hosts of the site.
• The site is of acceptable quality given its authorship, content, and purpose

B. Criteria for Selection of Young Adult Resources Linked from YALSA's  Web site

Links to Internet resources that are available on the YALSA site are selected by professional librarians who serve young adults. Through their knowledge of adolescent needs and interests, members of the YALSA Teen Web Site Advisory Committee select links from public submissions and Internet selection tools. Teens and adults may submit sites for inclusion by e mailing YALSA. All sites submitted by the general public, or those chosen by a YALSA Teen Web Site Advisory Committee member, are selected using the following criteria:

• The site is appealing and useful for young adults (aged 12-18).
• Site content is appropriate to the needs and interests of teens including material that meets their informational, recreational, and educational needs. The site also encourages teen inquiry and reflection as they relate to these needs.
• The site is of acceptable quality given its authorship, content, and purpose. We look to make sure that:
  • The source for the content of the site is listed. Author contact information is provided. The source is reputable.
  • The information on the site is current. A creation/revision date is provided. Update information is available.
  • The site is easy to use and does not require the highest-level of technology available in order to access its resources.
  • The site is free from extensive marketing or promotions related to products sold by the creators/hosts of the site.

If a library produces the site we also look to see that:

• The site provides content or information that is of interest to young adults outside or beyond the hosting library's community, for example, links to other sites, interactive components, or informational resources not available elsewhere.
• Young adults are involved in some aspect of the creation and/or maintenance of the site. For example, young adults might select the linked sites, develop content, or create the Web pages.