Posted by The Bay Area Young Adult Librarian (BAYA) group and California Library Association’s Young Services Interest Group (CLA YSIG) are proud to announce the winner of the 2026 California Library Association, Young Adult Services Award: Carissa Barrera.
Carissa Barrera has served as Teen Services Coordinator at the Upland Public Library for the past six years, building one of the area’s most active and respected teen programs. Under her leadership, the department now reaches thousands of teens and families each year through consistent, well-designed programming.
In the wake of the pandemic, when participation had dwindled and programs had stalled, Carissa rebuilt teen services from the ground up. What began as a handful of activities has grown into more than 75 programs and events annually, serving over 1,400 teens. Weekly programs, themed celebrations, leadership programs, and volunteer opportunities all share a common purpose: creating a space where teens feel safe, valued, and eager to return.
Her signature initiative, Summer Squad, transforms a typical volunteer experience into meaningful career preparation. Participants engage in interviews, workplace readiness training, CPR and First Aid certification, and mental health workshops – all while developing real leadership skills. She also founded the Teen Prom Dress Pop-Up Shop and organizes a free prom event of her own, giving teens both the attire and the occasion regardless of financial circumstances. From establishing a teen community garden to reenvisioning an underused room into one of the library’s most vibrant spaces, Carissa has created environments where teens can learn, create, and simply be.
Yet what distinguishes her most cannot be attributed to any of this alone. It lies in her relationships. Carissa listens. She remembers. She shows up – especially for the teens who need it most. Both families and community organizations have come to rely on her. And teens who once walked into the library without direction leave as confident, capable leaders; many returning as volunteers, eager to offer others the same support they once received. This kind of impact reflects the sustained, personal investment of an individual who believes deeply in young people, demonstrating that belief through her work in the community.
Outside the library, Carissa’s world is just as full. She’s a serious reader who will pick up just about anything, and when she’s not reading, she and her husband are usually in the kitchen — often recreating dishes they discovered while traveling together in search of new food ideas. Come fall, she settles in for her annual Gilmore Girls rewatch, though cozy dramas, crime shows, and reality TV are just as likely to be playing in the background. She’s happiest by the beach in San Diego, spending time with friends and family, or lost in a craft project — scrapbooking, putting together handmade gifts, or dreaming up the next fun idea for a teen program.
Looking ahead, her goals sound a lot like the last six years: keep showing up for teenagers, and keep dreaming up new, exciting ways to do it.
