The committee may operate as a committee of the whole or in subcommittees according to categories. Librarianship focuses on individuals, in all their diversity, and that focus is a fundamental value of the Young Adult Library Services Association and its members. Diversity is, thus, honored in the Association and in the collections and services that libraries provide to young adults. Although copyright is not a consideration, all titles should be widely available. Each category may have a special set of criteria.
Books can be in print or out of print, in hardcover or paperback.
Books that have appeared on earlier Outstanding Books lists or are available in revised editions are eligible. Poetry has sometimes been a separate category, sometimes not. Plays have been a subcategory of The Arts. There may be some variance in selected categories depending on the trends in society and in publishing. There may be subcategories, as well.