Registration for online course teaching genealogy reference basics closes May 12

CHICAGO—Wednesday, May 12, is the registration deadline for the next offering of “Genealogy 101,” an online course designed to provide librarians and library staff with confidence and skill in assisting family history researchers.

The course, which is offered May 17-June 18 by the Reference and User Services Association (RUSA) and taught by RUSA member and genealogy expert Jack Simpson, is a five-week online course aimed at librarians, students and general reference desk staff with little or no experience in genealogy. The course provides an introduction to American genealogy reference service and will outline basic sources and strategies, centered on a single case study. Topics covered include the U.S. Census, vital records, immigration research, military research and a variety of other basic genealogy sources. Students will also receive instruction in reference desk strategies and tools for further professional development. The course will cover archival material, print reference tools and online sources.

Registration for this course is $130 for RUSA members, $175 for ALA members, $210 for non-ALA members and $100 for students. Register online, or download the registration form to register by fax. Group discounts are available for two or more individuals from the same library, library system or network registering for the same course—download the group registration form now.

Complete descriptions of all of RUSA’s courses, instructor biographies and registration deadlines are available at the Professional Development section of the RUSA website. Information about all of the professional development opportunities available from RUSA at this summer’s ALA Annual Conference—including a full-day genealogy workshop held at the Daughters of the American Revolution Library—can be found in the downloadable RUSA @ Annual Conference guide.

The Reference and User Services Association, a division of the American Library Association, represents librarians and library staff in the fields of reference, specialized reference, collection development, readers advisory and resource sharing. RUSA is the foremost organization of reference and information professionals who make the connections between people and the information sources, services, and collection materials they need. Not a member, but interested in discounted registration rates on conference, preconferences and other events? Join, renew or add RUSA to your ALA membership at www.ala.org/membership. Learn more about the association at www.ala.org/rusa.