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GSTBA Frequently Asked Questions

Page history last edited by Erica Solomon 9 years, 6 months ago

Garden State Teen Book Awards

Frequently Asked Questions

Young Adult Section of the New Jersey Library Association

 

 

What is the Garden State Teen Book Award (GSTBA)?

The Garden State Teen Book Award is a project of the Young Adult Section of the New Jersey Library Association (www.njla.org). The section represents libraries from throughout the state, and selected nominees are based on teen appeal and quality of writing of teen fiction and nonfiction published during the previous year (i.e. the final 2014 GSTBA ballot is completed in early 2013 and contains titles published in 2011). Ballots are composed of a maximum of 20 nominations in three categories: fiction for grades 6-8, fiction for grades 9-12, and nonfiction for grades 6-12. The section seeks to expose teens to books that are appealing and well written, and which accurately display the diversity found in the state of New Jersey. Ballots are made available primarily to New Jersey school and public librarians.

 

What is the process for putting together the GSTBA ballot?

Members of the Young Adult Section of NJLA who have elected to act as “readers” are assigned titles by the YA Section Executive Board. The section will be notified as a whole when readers and titles are matched up. Readers read their assigned titles, and then meet with the section to discuss which titles should be chosen for the ballot. Under normal circumstances, each of the categories are discussed at three separate meetings. In 2014, these discussion meetings will follow regular section meetings in January, March, and April.

 

            In 2014: Fiction Grades 6-8 discussion: Friday, January 17, 2014 (with snow date March 7)

                         Fiction Grades 9-12 discussion: Friday, March 7, 2014 (with snow date April 11)

                         Nonfiction discussion: Friday, April 11, 2014

 

At the conclusion of each discussion, a ballot with a maximum of 20 nominations is created. The full ballot of no more than 20 titles in each category is completed following the discussion of nonfiction titles in April. Voting usually extends from this time through mid-January of the following year.

 

Who puts together the GSTBA ballot?

Readers! You must be a member of the Young Adult Section of the New Jersey Library Association in order to be a reader. Complete information for readers can be found here.

 

Being a reader entitles you to vote! Any section member can attend meetings and discussions but ONLY READERS CAN VOTE for the final ballot.

 

The Members-at-Large of the section are responsible for compiling, posting, and printing the final ballot and list of annotations, as well as for assigning readers and working with the GSTBA Committee to organize the master list of nominations.

 

How can I participate in choosing nominations for the ballot?

If you are a current member interested in participating in the creation of the GSTBA ballot, please contact one of the section Members-at-Large. You will be notified of your title assignments following the September meeting. If you are only interested in reading for one or two of the categories, please indicate this preference to the Members-at-Large.

 

When does the process for putting together the GSTBA ballot begin?

Reader assignments are typically made following the September meeting. The section begins discussions in January.

 

How can I get my hands on the ballot?

Printable ballots are available at the NJLA website and on the NJLA wiki (http://njla.pbwiki.com/GSTBA+Nominations+and+Winners). Print ballots are also available the NJLA Annual Spring Conference and the Youth Services Forum. Online voting is available at http://njla.org/gstba2015.

 

Who can vote for the award?

New Jersey teens! This is an award for teen readers, voted on by teen readers.

 

Back to the Garden State Teen Book Awards main page

 

Back to the Young Adult Services Section Homepage

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