Reference and User Services Association

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The Reference and User Services Association (RUSA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), is an American professional association for librarians and library paraprofessionals.

Contents

History

RUSA began in 1956 as the Reference Services Division (RSD), and the Adult Services Division (ASD) was created in 1957. [1] They combined in 1972 as the Reference and Adult Services Division (RASD). [2] RASD was renamed as RUSA in 1996. [3]

Activities

RUSA describes itself as a "network to educate, empower, and inspire its members to advance the evolution of the profession and better serve users in a continuously changing information society." [4]

It administers a number of awards including the Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence in Fiction and Nonfiction, Dartmouth Medal, Sophie Brody Medal, and Outstanding Reference Sources Awards.

It also publishes RUSQ: A Journal of Reference and User Experience, formerly Reference & User Services Quarterly . [5]

Sections and interest groups

RUSA has six sections and six interest groups:

See also

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References

  1. "Our History | Reference and User Services Association". www.ala.org. Retrieved 2024-07-22.
  2. Hansen, Andrew M. (1985). "Current Issues in Reference and Adult Services". RQ. 25 (1): 13–18. ISSN   0033-7072.
  3. Goodyear, Marilu; Bourdon, Cathleen (1996). "What's In a Name? RUSA is the Future". RASD Update. 17 (1): 1–1. ISSN   0198-8344.
  4. "About RUSA | Reference and User Services Association". www.ala.org. Retrieved 2024-07-22.
  5. "Reference & User Services Quarterly". journals.ala.org. Retrieved 2024-07-22.