RUSA’s Newest Interest Group – FYE IG

RUSA is proud to announce the formation of the RUSA First Year Experience Interest Group, (FYEIG). This group has been formed in order to address the many challenges of first year students in higher education. One of the anticipated outcomes is to establish a forum with regular meetings for the discussion of practical and scholarly topics relating to first year students and those involved with this group.

The purpose of this group is to share ideas and develop new connections for future collegiality and support. Topics for discussions include but are not limited to retention improvements, introduction to higher education research skills development, outreach, first generation students, international students, students enrolled simultaneously in high school and college (dual enrollment programs), reference services, etc.

This group is in the initial pilot project phase, which ends on June 30, 2016.  In order to become a regularly scheduled, RUSA-sponsored group, there must be sufficient support and some credible work by this date.

You are invited to join this interest group by going to http://connect.ala.org/node/249585, then log into your ALA account, and join the group.  FYE IG membership is automatic.

Raise your Voice! Call for bloggers for RUSA Voices

Consider blogging for RUSA Voices, the new blog for RUSA members and those who support the mission and goals of RUSA.

We are looking for folks (RUSA member or interested parties) to blog during ALA’s Midwinter Meeting this coming January in Boston about interesting sessions, discussion groups, and happenings. 

If you’re not at Midwinter but have other things you’d like to share, consider blogging about items or interest or things that really grind your gears throughout the year. Can’t do it then, but still interested? 

Going to Annual next summer or other library conferences and want to share what you learned? Bring it on! No topic is taboo and since this is a user generated blog, we want to hear what you think. RUSA wants to hear what you think. ALA wants to hear what you think.

Please check out RUSA Voices at http://blog.rusa.ala.org/

Questions?  Interest?  Contact David Midyette (dmidyette@roseman.edu)

 

RUSA Selects 2016 Spectrum Scholar for Internship!

The Reference and User Services Association (RUSA) has selected Patricia Valdovinos, a 2016 Spectrum Scholar is seeking her MLIS degree at the University of California, Los Angeles. As an Intern with RUSA, Valdovinos will work for a year and a half with RUSA’s vice-president/president-elect, Alesia M. McManus, Director of the Howard Community College Library, Columbia, MD. Valdovinos will also receive $3,000 to support travel expenses to attend the American Library Association’s (ALA) Midwinter Meeting and Annual Conference.

Valdovinos received her Bachelor of Arts in Chicana/o Studies with minors in American Indian Studies and Education Studies from the University of California, Los Angeles in 2014. During her undergraduate education she was a Ronald E. McNair Research Scholar where she researched how performance, such as spoken word, theatre, etc., affected incarcerated Latina/o youth.

“As a Chicana who has been a part of a variety of spaces, I am excited to expand my knowledge and experience with reference and resource sharing within diverse communities, more specifically, communities of color as the 2015 RUSA Spectrum Scholar Intern. This is an incredible opportunity where I will be able to share my perspectives, while also learn from others in the information world.”

RUSA selects one Spectrum Scholar each year to receive the $3,000 travel grant and work with RUSA’s vice-president. The ALA Spectrum Initiative provides $5,000 scholarships to students from the following underrepresented groups: African American, Asian/Pacific Islander, Hispanic/Latino and Native American. More information about the Spectrum Initiative is available at www.ala.org/spectrum.

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. RUSA supports excellence in the delivery of general library services and materials, and the provision of reference advisory, and resource sharing for all ages, in every type of library. Please visit our website at http://www.ala.org/rusa/.

CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS: 2016 REFERENCE RESEARCH FORUM

The Research & Statistics Committee of the Reference Services Section of the Reference & User Services Association (RUSA) invites the submission of reference service research project proposals for presentation at the 22nd Reference Research Forum at the 2016 American Library Association Annual Conference in Orlando, FL. Researchers and practitioners from all types of libraries, library school faculty and students, and other interested individuals are encouraged to submit a proposal.

The Reference Research Forum is a popular and valuable ALA Annual Conference program. Attendees have the opportunity to learn about innovative research projects conducted in reference services including user behavior, electronic services, reference effectiveness and assessment, and organizational structure and personnel.

For examples of projects presented at past Forums, please see the Committee’s website:
http://connect.ala.org/node/245010

The Committee employs a blind review process to select three projects for 20-minute presentations, followed by open discussion. Selected submissions must be presented in person at the Forum in Orlando, FL.

Criteria for selection:

1.      Originality: Potential for research to fill a gap in reference knowledge or to build on previous studies

2.      Quality: Research design and methodologies

3.      Impact: Significance of the study for improving the quality of reference service

NOTE: Research projects may be in-progress or completed. Previously published research or research accepted for publication will not be accepted.

Important Dates:

Proposals are due by December 28th, 2015. Notification of acceptance will be made by Monday, February 8th, 2016.
The submission must not exceed two pages. Please include:

Submission Details:

PAGE 1: Cover Sheet (1 page maximum)
Include your name(s), title(s), institutional affiliation(s), mailing address(es), and email address(es).

PAGE 2: Research Description (1 page maximum)
The second page must not show your name, any personal information, or the name of your institution. Instead, it must include:

1.      Title of the project

2.      Explicit statement of the research problem

3.      Description of the research design and methodologies

4.      Findings or results if available

5.      Brief discussion of the originality, unique contribution, potential impact, and significance of the research
(if you use semi colons between itemsin a list, you need to make sure the entire list is a complete sentence.)

Proposals that exceed 2 pages or that do not follow the format described above will be automatically rejected.
Please submit your proposal as a PDF document. Thank you for your cooperation in following submission rules.

Please send submissions by email to:
Elizabeth Kocevar-Weidinger
Learning Services Librarian
ekocevarweidinger@hcc.edu
Howard Community College

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