The Reference and User Services Association is a network to educate, empower, and inspire its members to advance the evolution of the profession and better serve users in a continually changing information society.
We Need Your Expertise
RUSQ Relaunch
Registration is open for the 2025 RUSA Virtual Forum: Meeting Users' Needs March 4 & 6,2025.
Guidelines & Resources
Welcome! The Reference and User Services Association (RUSA) is pleased to provide tools to help you in your job. The resources provided in the links
Catch up with RUSA!
Did you miss a HOT RUSA webinar? Don't fret, check out the list of recordings available for purchase today: Supporting an Informed Citizenry with State
About RUSA
The Reference and User Services Association (RUSA) is a division of the American Library Association. RUSA serves all types of libraries in reference, user services, adult readers advisory and collection development as well as resource sharing, genealogy and archives, business reference and reference technology.
RUSA has six specialty sections that are free to RUSA members.
Get Involved: Volunteer!
RUSA needs people like you—people who are moved by the extraordinary possibilities that libraries create. By getting involved with RUSA you’ll develop new skills, grow your network, and make a difference in your profession and community.
Our member opportunities bring reference librarians together, so they can advance the practices of connecting people to resources, information services, and collections.
RUSA Sections
Business Reference And Services Section
Welcome to RUSA's Business Reference and Services Section (BRASS), your station for expertise on all aspects of business reference. Our members come from all kinds of libraries- public, academic, and corporate but all of them share a responsibility for being able to provide answers to business-related questions.
Should you be a BRASS member?
BRASS Members: Log into ALA Connect to engage.
CODES offers seven awards for outstanding books and reference works:
- Notable Books for Adults (the year’s 25 most important works of fiction, non-fiction and poetry)
- Outstanding Reference Sources (outstanding reference publications for small and medium-sized libraries)
- The Reading List (top fiction in eight genres)
- The Sophie Brody Award (achievement in Jewish literature)
- Dartmouth Medal (the most significant reference work)
- The Listen List: Outstanding Audiobook Narration
- Essential Cookbooks: The CODES List::
Plus two achievement awards:
- Zora Neale Hurston Award (demonstrated leadership in promoting African American literature)
- Louis Shores Award (acknowledgement for excellence in book reviewing and other media for libraries)
Connect with the History Section!
- Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
- Join the RUSA History Section Discussion List (Open Forum) on RUSA Connect.
Communicate with RSS on ALA Connect.
Get Involved!
In addition to connecting with our section, join an RSS committee. Members of RSS committees:
- Organize programs and host discussion forums;
- Write and maintain Standards, Guidelines, and Recommendations that help librarians worldwide; and
- Develop tutorials, administer surveys, and discuss developments in reference services.
To express interest in joining a committee, complete the ALA Volunteer Form and select RUSA, RSS.
RUSA STARS' 5 Things Every New Resource Sharing Librarian Should Know
Are you new to Resource Sharing and Inter-library Loan? Check out these tips and resources put together by your colleagues!
Get Involved with RUSA STARS!
The majority of the committee and task force appointments are made in the spring by matching STARS members' interests and background with the section's needs. If you are interested in contributing your ideas and talent to a STARS committee, please contact Hilary Thompson, hthomps1@umd.edu.
RUSA's Interest Groups
Continuing Education
RUSA abounds with opportunities for you to extend and refine your expertise: Everything from in-person programs at ALA Conference to webinars and eCourses. Whether you want to acquire new skills or sharpen your current skills, RUSA's online courses and webinars offer convenient and flexible learning opportunities on both basic and advanced topics.
Connect with RUSA
RUSA News
I AM RUSA
RUSA Calendar
Reference and Readers' Services Resources
A comprehensive resource that will teach you how to understand the needs of public, academic, and special library users. Examination copies are available for instructors who are interested in adopting this title for course use.
Providing a clear and comprehensive survey of the landscape of diversity in librarianship as a profession and service, this updated text is an important orientation tool for LIS students and current library workers alike.
Chapters take in-depth looks at functions including circulation, stacks management, resource sharing, course reserve management and controlled digital lending, user experience, and assessing and benchmarking access services.
Utilizing the RUSA Professional Competencies as a framework for reflecting on strengths as well as gaps in expertise, this book guides readers through developing strategies to enhance their professional standing and potential.