Introduction to the RUSA Guide to Policies and Procedures, otherwise known as the RUSA Handbook.
RUSA Guide to Policies and Procedures
A Complete Guide to Working with RUSA
This online guide consists of ten chapters and the RUSA Bylaws. Forms referred to in the Guide can be accessed on their own pages. You may choose to view chapters in the present HTML format within the RUSA Web site's framework or choose the "Print this page" at the left to create a printer-friendly page that you can then use the print command from your browser to create.
Introduction
Congratulations on being elected or appointed to a leadership position in RUSA! This Guide is intended to serve as your general introduction to the organization, procedures and policies of RUSA. We hope that this information will help you function effectively in RUSA. In addition to reviewing the information in the guide, you may want to consult the ALA Handbook of Organization. Please contact the RUSA office if you have any questions. We're here to serve you!
Mailing address:
Reference and User Services Association, American Library Association, 50 East Huron Street, Chicago, IL 60611-2795
Telephone:
Toll Free: 1-800-545-2433. If you are calling from a touch-tone phone, after the automated attendant answers, you may press these extensions to reach:
4395 RUSA Executive Director
4397 RUSA Web Program Officer
4398 RUSA Marketing Specialist
Direct Dialing: 1-312-280 + above extensions
Fax: 312 280-5273
E-mail: rusa@ala.org
Mission
The Reference and User Services Association is responsible for stimulating and supporting excellence in
- the delivery of general library services and materials to adults, and
- the provision of reference and information services, collection development, and resource sharing for all ages, in every type of library.
Vision
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.
Values
- We believe in universal access to information in a wide variety of formats.
- We value collections and information sources of the highest possible quality.
- We believe in reading as fundamental to quality of life and value all activities that promote it.
- We value the provision of innovative services and programs that meet the changing information needs of diverse populations.
- We value continuous evaluation and improvement in the management and delivery of collections and services to users.
- We value the professional growth and development of librarians and library staff.
- We value the role of librarians and library staff as educators in creating lifelong learners and critical thinkers.
- We value the unique contributions that librarians and library staff bring to the process of connecting users with the information they need.
Objectives
- Provide leadership in professional development for librarians and library staff.
- Advocate for the information disenfranchised.
- Seek ways to improve participation in RUSA by librarians and library staff.
- Ensure the effectiveness of RUSA in meeting its and ALA’s mission.
- Increase the visibility of RUSA in the profession and society at large.
See this link for the complete strategic plan.
Activities
The division facilitates the development and conduct of direct service to library users, the development of programs and guidelines for service to meet the needs of these users, and assists libraries in reaching potential users. RUSA publishes RUSQ, a quarterly journal, and RUSA Update, an online quarterly newsletter. RUSA has six sections: Business Reference and Services Section, Collection Development and Evaluation Section, History Section, Machine-Assisted Reference Section, Reference Services Section, and Sharing and Transforming Access to Resources Section (each with several of its own committees and discussion groups). RUSA also has 25-30 committees at the division level and representatives to other ALA units and outside organizations.
History
In September 1996, the division changed its name to the Reference and User Services Association (RUSA). Previously named the Reference and Adult Services Division, RASD was formed in 1972 when two long-established divisions merged-the Reference Services Division (RSD) and the Adult Services Division (ASD). RSD was formed in 1957 when two units and an ALA committee merged-The Reference Librarians Section of ACRL, the Reference Section of the Public Library Division and the ALA Bibliography Committee. ASD was formed in the same year when the Adult Education Section of the Public Library Division expanded to include interests of librarians in all types of libraries that serve adults. For more information, this links to Andrew Hansen's 1995 RQ article.