Registration is now open for the fall session “The Reference Interview,” one of RUSA’s online courses.

This popular introductory course, which will be offered Nov. 2 – Dec. 18, is a comprehensive overview focused on the methods of evaluating reference service, behavioral aspects of reference service and the different types of questions that can be used to help patrons identify what they need. Using multi-media tools, the course content covers everything from the approachability of the librarian to how to follow up with a patron. Scheduled chat sessions will model interviewing techniques using sample dialogues. It’s a perfect professional development opportunity for support staff, library technicians, newly hired reference librarians and those librarians who want to brush up on their interview skills.

The course instructor, Dave Tyckoson, has 30 years of experience in academic libraries. He is currently the associate dean at the Henry Madden Library, California State University, Fresno. Past positions include serving as head of the reference department at SUNY-Albany, reference librarian at Iowa State University, and science librarian at Miami University (Ohio). Tyckoson has also taught in the Graduate Library schools at SUNY-Albany and the University of Illinois. He has written extensively on libraries and reference services, having published more than 75 journal articles and book chapters and has presented at more than 60 conferences. In 2005 he received RUSA’s Isadore Gilbert Mudge Award for distinguished contribution to reference librarianship.

Registration for this course is $130 for RUSA members, $175 for ALA members, $210 for non-ALA members and $100 for students. Register online, or download the registration form to register by fax or mail. Online and fax registrations must be completed by Tuesday, Oct. 20; mailed registration forms must be postmarked by Friday, Oct. 9. Contact ALA’s Membership and Customer Service team with questions about registration. Complete descriptions of all of RUSA’s courses, instructor biographies and registration deadlines are available at the Professional Development section of the RUSA website.