RUSA’s Collection Development and Evaluation Section names winners for excellence in book reviewing and promotion of African American literature

CHICAGO—The Reference and User Services Association (RUSA) has named the winners of two achievement awards which recognize the profession’s most exceptional contributors to readers’ advisory and collection development services.

“The CODES Achievement Awards give recognition to outstanding achievements to individuals who provide outstanding service to library users and readers. Our committees work diligently and the awards recognize invaluable contributions to the field and provide valuable opportunities for rising stars and leaders to attend the ALA Annual Conference to provide aid to further their work,” said Deborah Abston, Section Chair of CODES. “We congratulate this year's winners on their accomplishments. We look forward to celebrating with them in June at the RUSA Achievement Awards Reception. I would like to sincerely thank the members of our award committees for their invaluable service during the selection process and our generous sponsors for their support.”

The CODES Achievement Award winners are:

Zora Neale Hurston Award, sponsored by HarperCollins, offers $1,250 in travel funds to the ALA Annual Conference, tickets to the United for Libraries' Gala Author Tea, and a set of the Zora Neale Hurston books published by Harper Perennial. Carolyn Garnes, Founder and CEO of Aunt Lil’s Reading Room. Aunt Lil’s Reading Room serves as a platform for children, authors, and illustrators of color and African descent. The project aims to promote the unique history and culture of African Americans through books, literature and storytelling.

Louis Shores Award, offers a citation which recognizes an individual reviewer, group, editor, review medium, or organization for excellence in book reviewing and other media for libraries. Brad Hooper, Editor of Booklist was selected for his passion and commitment to book reviewing. Hooper reviews a wide variety of genres for Booklist, hosts workshops and has published books that give librarians reviewing and readers’ advisory skills they need for success.

The RUSA Achievement Awards Ceremony and Reception will be held from 5-6:30 p.m. Sunday, June 28 at the ALA Annual Conference in San Francisco. All conference attendees are invited to the event. Additional event details will be available on the conference website in April.

The Reference and User Services Association (RUSA), 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. Learn more about the association at www.ala.org/rusa.