YALSA aims to expand and strengthen library services for teens through advocacy, research, professional development and events.
[1][2] The organization that is now referred to as the Young Adult Library Services Association began on June 24, 1957, and was called the Young Adult Services Division following a reorganization of the American Library Association.
By the 1970s YASD was growing stronger with its own office and staff and in 1979 it was given division representation on the ALA council.
The name change to the Young Adult Services Association occurred in 1992, and brought greater recognition to the organization, as well as a new image, logo and a new mission and vision statement.
The re-branding of YASD as YALSA in the 1990s also brought with it an electronic and online presence, as well as new programs such as Teen Read Week.