RUSA to host first-ever Virtual Forum

CHICAGO – The Reference and User Services Association (RUSA) will host its first-ever Virtual Forum March 8 and 10. The Forum will offer two nonconsecutive days of programs dedicated to showcasing the work of its section groups and professional best practices for our nation’s library workers in reference, user services, adult readers advisory and collection development as well as resource sharing, genealogy and archives, business reference and reference technology. 

Programing under the theme “Reference and User Services Re-engaged” will explore such questions as, “What have we learned in the era of COVID19?”; “How can we prepare for future disruptions?”; “Which patrons did libraries serve well; and “Where can we improve to serve all patrons?”  

The event will offer an Opening Keynote Session entitled “Using Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) to provide Reference and User Services.” The session will feature such leading library experts as American Library Association (ALA) President Patty Wong, ALA Past President Julius C. Jefferson, Jr., and ALA Executive Director Tracie Hall. 

Additional program topics will include how libraries transform communities with business resources, COVID resources and services, financial literacy, health reference, establishing mentoring programs, reaching the next generation of library professionals, and much more. 
RUSA will also look to attendees to provide feedback on its Guidelines for Behavioral Performance of Reference and Information Services Providers. 

RUSA sections and interest groups such as Business Reference and Services Section (BRASS); Collection Development and Evaluation Section (CODES); Emerging Technologies Section (ETS); History Section (HS); Reference Services Section (RSS); Sharing and Transforming Access to Resources Sections (STARS) ; and special interest groups as Federal and Armed Forces Libraries; Financial Literacy Interest Group; and First-Year Experience will share best practices, and all attendees will receive a certificate of completion. 

ALA eLearning mirrors the evolving learning needs of the library and information community. ALA’s eLearning platform will host “Reference and User Services Re-engaged” and is the leading content provider of courses, webinars, and customized eLearning content for both library workers and library institutions of all types. The site will make it easy for individual library staff members and institutional customers to participate in a wide range of professional development events.

Registration for RUSA members is significantly lower than for nonmembers. To learn more about the event, register for the Forum, or become a RUSA member, please visit

The Reference and User Services Association (RUSA), a division of the American Library Association, represents librarians and library staff in reference, specialized reference, collection development, readers’ advisory and resource sharing. RUSA is the foremost organization of reference and information professionals who connect people and the information sources, services and collection materials they need. Learn more at ala.org/rusa