Rebecca Vnuk joins Booklist as new editor, reference and collection management

 CHICAGO — Readers’-advisory expert Rebecca Vnuk joins Booklist Publications in October as editor for reference and collection management. Vnuk will have responsibility for all print and electronic reference reviews in Booklist, as well as developing feature articles on readers’ advisory and collection development. She will also assume editorship of the newly launched collection development and readers’ advisory newsletter, Corner Shelf, sponsored by Baker & Taylor.

Vnuk has a high profile in the library community as a librarian, consultant, workshop presenter, speaker, writer and blogger. Her most recent library position was as adult services director at the Glen Ellyn  (Ill.) Public Library, and she previously held public-library positions in River Forest, Elmhurst, Chicago and Morton Grove, Ill.  She has been widely recognized for her contributions, receiving PLA’s Allie Beth Martin Award for excellence in Readers’ Advisory in 2010 and being named a Library Journal Mover & Shaker.  Co-creator of the popular readers’-advisory blog, Shelf Renewal, she has served as chair of the ALA RUSA CODES RA Committee, is author of two readers’-advisory titles published by Libraries Unlimited and has been a reviewer and freelance writer for a number of professional publications.  Her work closer to home has included serving on the board and as chair of Chicago’s Adult Reading Round Table and on the board of trustees of the Forest Park Public Library.

“We are delighted to welcome Rebecca to Booklist,” said Publisher and Editor Bill Ott. “She brings a range of experience, a track record of successfully implemented new ideas and an energy that will benefit Booklist Publications, the reference, collection-development and RA communities and her colleagues a great deal.”

As a long-time  Booklist Book Group Buzz blogger, Vnuk moderated a Booklist webinar in July--Book Group Buzzing--that addressed trends in book group selections as well as looking at forthcoming and backlist titles ideal for book groups. She will jump into her new role by moderating the Oct. 18 webinar, “What’s New in Reference: Fall 2011,” for which registration is free and open to all and which will showcase new products relevant to the needs of today’s patrons and students.

Vnuk’s position replaces that of reference editor formerly held by Mary Ellen Quinn, who retired in August. “A Tribute to Mary Ellen Quinn,” a collection of testimonials from library professionals she worked with that highlights her many contributions to the field, appeared in the Sept. 15 issue of Booklist. 

Booklist is the book review magazine of the American Library Association, considered an essential collection development and readers’ advisory tool by thousands of librarians for more than 100 years. Booklist Online includes a growing archive of 135,000+ reviews available to subscribers as well as a wealth of free content offering the latest news and views on books and media.