Are you interested in issues and trends related to frontline reference? Check out RUSA Reference Services Section (RSS)’s events at ALA Annual in Chicago!

We hope to see you there!

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::RSS PROGRAMS AND OPEN DISCUSSIONS AT ANNUAL::

:FRIDAY PRECONFERENCES:

Reinvented Reference V: Using Our Collective Wisdom [preconference]
8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Intercontinental – Toledo (7/10/09)
Cosponsored by: RSS and MARS
Reference librarians and managers of reference services interested in discovering solutions to challenges facing a reference services staff will reap huge rewards from this preconference co-sponsored by the Reference Services Section (RSS) and the Machine-Assisted Reference Section (MARS) of the Reference and User Services Association (RUSA) and held in conjunction with ALA’s 2009 Annual Conference.

Attendees will select two out of four topic areas—technology, assessment, collaboration and reference staffing models—to participate in roundtable discussions where workplace challenges are shared and solution discussed. Using this format, the event is focused on sharing practical, concrete ideas from both our expert panel and peers that you can implement at your library.

The event features a group of presenters with extensive experiences and success in the field, including Bill Pardue, virtual services librarian at Arlington Heights Memorial Library; Char Booth, e-learning librarian at UC Berkeley; Lisa Ennis, systems librarian and assistant professor, University of Alabama at Birmingham; and Brian Matthews, user experience librarian, Georgia Tech Libraries.

Registration Rates: Onsite: ALA Member, $265; RUSA Division/RT Member, $220; Non-Member,$340; Student, $115

A Dialogue with the Aging Network and the Library Community: The New Guidelines on Library and Information Services to Older Adults [preconference]
9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Sheraton Chicago – Ballroom (7/10/09)
Sponsored by: RSS Committee on Library Services to an Aging Population and the Association of Specialized Cooperative Library Agencies
his one-day event will highlight how libraries are collaborating with national and local organizations that serve older adults—a topic that is especially critical in today’s economic climate, as more older adults are turning to the library for assistance with job searching and other resource needs. Workshop participants will also discuss RUSA’s newly revised “Guidelines on Library and Information Services to Older Adults.”

Speakers slated for the event are:
• Laurie Brooks, associate deputy director, state programs, Institute of Museum and Library Services
• Marsha Semmel, director for strategic partnerships, Institute of Museum and Library Services
• Lynn Kellogg, president, National Association of Area Agencies on Aging
• Elaine Brovont, executive director, Midland Meals; former president, National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs
• Barbara Mates, head, Ohio Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
• Fatima Perkins, adult services manager, Cuyahoga County Public Library
• Maura O’Malley, president, Lifetime Arts Inc.
• Ed Friedman, executive director, Lifetime Arts Inc.

Registration Rates: Onsite: ALA Member, $160; RUSA Division/RT Member, $125; Non-Member,$245; Student, $85

:SATURDAY:

Reference Services Section Open House: The best way to start your Saturday at ALA Annual!
Swisshotel – St. Gallen (7/11/09)
8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. (Open House)
9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. (All-Committee Meeting following the Open House)

Are you interested in frontline reference issues such as:
-improving the usability of catalogs, search tools, and online point-of-need tutorials
-developing instruction techniques in the reference transaction
-implementing and using virtual reference services
-developing standards for evaluation and management of reference
-meeting the needs of adults, Spanish-speaking, aging, and other populations
-marketing reference services supporting research in the reference and user services field

Are you looking for ways to become more involved in your profession, and to meet and network with other reference and information providers?

Come to the Reference Services Section (RSS) Open House, where you can enjoy refreshments provided by Emerald (publisher of the Reference Services Review), and learn more about the work being accomplished in RSS. RSS Officers and members will be available to answer your questions and suggest possible committees of interest, and you can visit committee tables where members will be available to talk about current projects. You are welcome to stay from 9am-10:30am to sit at a committee table while they conduct their meeting.

Pleasure or Pain: Selecting and Promoting Electronic Books
10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Palmer House – Montrose 4 (7/11/09)
Sponsored by: Dual Assignment Discussion Group
Description: Libraries are increasingly collecting e-books. How are titles selected? How are they promoted? E-books offer lots of benefits – they are readily accessible outside of physical library spaces, their text is searchable, and they can be viewed on a variety of portable devices. How are libraries implementing these new technologies? Are people using them? How will Google Books impact e-book publishing, access, and the future of library collections? All registered attendees are welcome to join us for a lively and thought-provoking discussion as we talk about what we’re doing now and where we’re going with e-books.

Current Topics in Cooperative Reference Discussion Forum
1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Hyatt – Columbus Hall C/D (7/11/09)
Sponsored by: Cooperative Reference Committee
Description: Come join in the discussion on how we can support further development in cooperative reference. We will discuss and invite feedback on possible projects on cooperative reference that will benefit the library community.

When is Nice Too Nice? Disengaging from the Talkative Patron
3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. McCormick Place W-190a (7/11/09)
Sponsored by: Services to Adults; Co-sponsored by Management of Reference
Description: Library public services staff commonly experience overly talkative patrons. Some are homeless or mentally ill, but others may simply be lonely and seeking human contact. These “chatty” patrons can be a significant problem when there are multiple people needing assistance, when they exhibit inappropriate behaviors or when they aggressively seek out the time and attention of specific staff members. Join us to explore strategies for addressing this issue in a variety of library settings.

Reference Meets Reality: (Support) Staff Training in Times of Change
3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Sheraton, Huron Room (7/11/09)
Sponsored by: Hot Topics in Frontline Reference Discussion Group
Description: Some libraries have long histories of employing support staff at reference desks. With shrinking budgets, this trend may be increasing. Regardless of whether you staff the desk with professionals or support staff, you may be experiencing a reorganization or (re)training of staff in your library. How do you provide training and evaluation in order to maintain good service at your reference desk? The discussion will be kicked off by: Judith S. Pinnolis (Brandeis University), Evan Simpson (Tufts University), Danielle Theiss-White (Kansas State University), and Lynn M. Thitchener (Cornell University). All are welcome to attend and participate in this lively conversation!

:SUNDAY:

15th Annual Reference Research Forum
1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Chicago Hilton Waldorf (7/12/09) Sponsored by: Research and Statistics Committee
Description: The Research Forum is one of the most popular programs at ALA Annual, where attendees
can learn about notable research projects in reference service areas such as user behavior, electronic
services and reference effectiveness. This year’s Forum features three presentations:

What WOREP Results Say About Reference Service, Patron Satisfaction and Success
Recipient of RUSA’s 15th Anniversary Reference Research Grant
Julie Gedeon and Carolyn Radcliff (Kent State University)

“Teachable Instants” in Instant Message Reference: Taking the Opportunity or Taking a Pass?
Megan Oakleaf (School of Information Studies, Syracuse University) and Amy VanScoy (North Carolina State University Libraries)

Measuring the Effectiveness of Online Tutorials: A Pragmatic Approach
Cindy Craig (Wichita State University Libraries) and Curt Friehs (Kansas City Public Library)

Impact of Budget-cuts on Reference Collections & Services
1:30-3:00 Palmer House – Hancock Parlor (7/12/09)
Sponsored by: Reference Services in Large Research Libraries
Description: Come and discuss strategies for meeting the challenges of lower budgets on reference services. How is the balance of collections and services affected? Still buying reference books? What criteria are used in retaining or cancelling online reference sources? How are staffing levels being adjusted? Are there new or different issues involving reference spaces?
The Reference Services in Large Research Libraries Discussion Group is looking for a convener for 2011, so if you’re interested, contact out-going convener, Sarah G. Wenzel, or in-coming convener, Scott Garton. This is your chance to set the topics for this group and lead a discussion about what interests you!

You Got Me, Do You Like Me? Evaluating Next Generation Catalogs
3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. McCormick Place W-190a (7/12/09)
Sponsored by: Catalog Use Committee
Description: Congratulations, you have acquired (or may soon acquire) a Next Generation, Web 2.0 catalog—now what? Hear from a panel of academic and public librarians who have been evaluating their open source and off-the-shelf next-gen catalogs. Topics will include usability testing, ongoing assessment, vendor collaboration and user expectations in the transition to next-gen products.

:MONDAY:

Beyond ¡Hola!: Spanish Reference Resources for Non-Spanish Speakers
8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. McCormick Place W-194b (7/13/09)
Sponsored by: Library Services to the Spanish Speaking
Description: Do you have the right tools to help a Spanish-speaker looking for information in your library? Do you know how to purchase the right titles for your Spanish-speaking population? As Latinos become more active library users, what can libraries do to help them become more informed citizens? Join us as we discuss reference resources, Web sites and collection development for this group of patrons.

Assess Without Causing Distress
8:00 a.m. – 10:00 am Palmer House – Indiana Room (7/13/09)
Sponsored by: Performance Issues for Reference/Information Librarians Discussion Group

::RSS MEETINGS AT ANNUAL::

:SATURDAY:

Reference Services Section Open House and All-Committee Meeting
Swisshotel – St. Gallen (7/11/09)
8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. (Open House)
9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. (All-Committee Meeting)
Following the Open House sponsored by Emerald, committees will have time to focus on their current projects. Each of the following committees will meet at a separate table.

Executive Committee Meeting I
7/11/2009 Saturday 10:30 am – 12:00 pm Swisshotel – Zurich 1

:SUNDAY:

Organization and Planning II MEETING TIME CHANGE – New meeting time 9:30:
7/12/2009 Sunday 9:30 a.m. -11:00 a.m. Palmer House – Clark 10 (Meeting was previously scheduled for 10:30-noon)

Education and Professional Development for Reference Committee II
7/12/2009 Sunday 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm Palmer House – Sandburg 8

:MONDAY:

Catalog Use Committee II
7/13/2009 Monday 8:00 am – 10:00 am Sheraton – Illinois Exec. Boardroom

Executive Committee Meeting II
7/13/2009 Monday 10:30 am – 12:00 pm Hyatt – Comiskey