BRASS: Business Reference in Public Libraries

Charge

To study, promote, and support the role of business reference in public libraries. This committee administers the Public Librarian Support Award.

Specific Duties

To study and foster the role of business reference in public libraries.
To address issues facing business reference in public libraries.
To liaise with the Public Library Association (PLA), and its ad hoc committees and groups.
To work closely with other BRASS committees to identify commonalities in research and business reference services.

Public Librarian Support Award

To administer an annual travel award that will support the attendance at the ALA Annual conference of public librarians who are members of BRASS/RUSA, and to recruit public librarians as active members of BRASS. In the event of extraordinary circumstances, such as the cancellation of the in-person ALA Annual conference, the award can be applied to other ALA-sponsored professional development opportunities.

See the BRASS Handbook Section I: "Committee Charges" (ALA Connect login required) for the charge's version of record.

Categories:

Reference and User Services Association (RUSA)

Roster

Kristina Gómez

(Chair, July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2028)

Bill Ladewski

(RUSA Executive Director, October 8, 2018, to December 31, 2099)

Ninah Moore

(Staff Liaison, October 5, 2018, to October 5, 2050)

Previous Year / Next Year

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Composition

There shall be at least five (5) members appointed by the Vice-Chair/Chair-Elect of BRASS.

Terms of Office
Members of the Committee will serve for two years and shall be eligible for reappointment for a consecutive two-year term. Terms will be staggered so that continuity will be maintained.

Origin

Business Reference in Public Libraries: Established in 1988.

Public Librarian Support Award: Established in 1999.

Get Involved

Already an ALA member? Then please consider becoming a member of RUSA. With a RUSA membership, you can join BRASS and as many other RUSA sections as you want at no extra charge.