Reference and User Services Association

Reference experts announce annual Outstanding Reference Sources list for adults

ATLANTA - The most noteworthy reference titles published in 2016 have been named to the 2017 Outstanding References Sources List, an annual list selected by experts of the Collection Development and Evaluation Section (CODES) of the Reference and User Services Association (RUSA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA). The list was announced today at ALA’s Midwinter Meeting in Atlanta.

"Moonglow" named winner of 2017 Sophie Brody Medal for achievement in Jewish literature

ATLANTA – The Reference and User Services Association (RUSA) has announced its selection for the 2017 Sophie Brody Medal, an annual honor bestowed by the Collection Development and Evaluation Section (CODES) of RUSA, a division of the American Library Association (ALA) at ALA’s Midwinter Meeting today in Atlanta.

Business reference experts select annual list of Best of the Best Business Reference Websites

ATLANTA—The annual Best of the Best Business Reference Websites list was announced at the Reference and User Services Association’s (RUSA) Book and Media Awards ceremony at the American Library Association’s Midwinter Meeting in Atlanta on Sunday.

Trevor Noah, host of “The Daily Show” named recipient of Zora Neale Hurston Award

ATLANTA--Trevor Noah, host of Comedy Central’s The Daily Show and author of Born a Crime, was named the 2017 recipient of the Zora Neale Hurston Award, an annual achievement award administered by the Reference and User Services Association (RUSA), a division of the American Library Association (

RUSA’s Emerging Technologies Section selects 18th annual list of Best Free Reference Websites

CHICAGO—The 18th Annual Best Free Reference Websites list, previously published in the Fall 2016 issue of Reference & User Services Quarterly, is now also available on RUSA’s website. This year’s list features twenty-two websites with annotations composed by members of ETS’ Best Free Web Sites committee.

Annual list of Best Historical Materials announced by history experts

ATLANTA—The annual list of Best Historical Materials was announced during the Reference and User Services Association (RUSA) Book and Media Awards Ceremony at the American Library Association’s Midwinter Meeting in Atlanta on Sunday. The list recognizes the evaluation and effectiveness of coverage of historical resources in all fields of history and promotes the enhanced availability of historical works and information.

2017 Listen List: Outstanding Audiobook Narration for adults revealed

ATLANTA—The Listen List Council of the Collection Development and Evaluation Section (CODES) of the Reference and User Services Association (RUSA) has announced the 2017 selections of the Listen List: Outstanding Audiobook Narration. The 2017 committee listened to 1,919 hours of audiobooks, evaluated over 200 titles, debated 45 nominations, and narrowed the field to the final twelve winners. This award highlights extraordinary narrators and listening experiences that merit special attention by a general adult audience and the librarians who advise them. 

Louis Shores Award for excellence in reviewing names Mary Burkey as winner

ATLANTA—The Reference and User Services Association (RUSA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), has selected Mary Burkey, independent library consultant, as the recipient of the 2017 Louis Shores Award which recognizes an individual who has demonstrated outstanding book and media reviewing for libraries.

RUSA invites Midwinter attendees to celebrate winners of year’s best in adult reading and reference

CHICAGO--On Sunday, Jan. 22, 5-7pm EST, the Reference and User Services Association (RUSA) will host their annual Book and Media Awards ceremony to announce the many awards and best of lists in adult reading and reference. The free event, sponsored by NoveList, is open to all ALA Midwinter Meeting attendees and will take place in Rooms B302-B305, Georgia World Congress Center.

#ShareTheStory: 2017 Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence in Fiction and Nonfiction

CHICAGO—Ahead of the announcements of the winners of the Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence in Fiction and Nonfiction, the American Library Association is launching its #ShareTheStory campaign highlighting the six 2017 shortlist titles and how they remind us of the power of stories.