Phoenix- The winner of the 2025 Dartmouth Medal for most outstanding reference work, an annual award presented by the expert reference and collection development librarians of the Reference and User Services Association (RUSA), a division of ALA, is Smithsonian Atlas of Space: A Map to the Universe from the Big Bang to the Future by Roger D. Launius, published by Smithsonian Books.
The Atlas of Space brilliantly demonstrates the best aspects of outstanding reference works. Author Roger D. Launius is a leading space historian whose resumé includes both NASA and the Smithsonian. He’s created a work that is both accessible and navigable. It has solid information and unforgettable imagery. It covers myriad topics from ancient perspectives on the universe to raising questions about our place in its future. It is the kind of work that can spark anyone’s curiosity, and we hope to see it in libraries who serve people of all ages.
Our committee members all agreed that 2024 gave us an embarrassment of riches in reference works. Presented alphabetically by title, our Honorable Mentions are:
Design of Books: An Explainer for Authors, Editors, Agents, and Other Curious Readers (University of Chicago Press). This small-but-mighty volume beautifully illustrates author Debbie Berne’s two decades of experience designing books. This guide is essential to anyone with a stake in the publishing world, but any bibliophile will be captivated by this work.
The Oxford Encyclopedia of African Archaeology (Oxford University Press). The African continent contains the earliest evidence of humankind, but African archaeologists are often underrepresented in their field due to lack of funding, conflicts, and the residue of colonialism. Editor Dr. Shadreck Chirikure, aims to reverse that trend with this wide-ranging work on the many facets and complexities of African Archaeology, featuring a majority of works from Africa-based scholars.
Smithsonian Handbook of Interesting Bird Nests and Eggs (Smithsonian Books). Douglas G.D. Russell, Senior Curator, Birds, at London’s Natural History Museum brings us this stunning look at avian architecture. Its taxonomic organization allows readers to turn the page and see a nest from a completely different time, geographic area, or conservation status from the one before. Each entry shows birds’ and humans’ mutual impact upon each other, making for a work as fascinating as it is poignant.
The World Atlas of Rivers, Estuaries, and Deltas (Princeton University Press). Rivers have shaped human life since it began, providing means of agriculture, mobility, and creative inspiration. This comprehensive and accessible volume brings scientific understanding and cultural history together, complete with spectacular aerial photographs of these geographies.
The Dartmouth Medal, established in 1974, honors the creation of a reference source of outstanding quality and significance. The award is given to the best new reference source published in the previous year.
The Dartmouth committee, made up of reference subject experts from academic, public, and sometimes school and other libraries, receives nominations from librarians, editors, and publishers and spends countless hours reviewing copies throughout the latter half of the year.
The Dartmouth Medal selection committee is: Lauren Seegmiller, Denver Public Library, chair; Donald Altschiller, Boston University; Brian E. Coutts, Western Kentucky University; Dona J. Helmer, Anchorage School District (ret.); Kaite Mediatore Stover, Kansas City Public Library; and Matthew Galloway, Anythink Libraries.
The Reference and User Services Association (RUSA), a division of the American Library Association, represents librarians and library staff in the fields of reference, specialized reference, collection development, readers’ advisory and resource sharing. 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. Learn more at www.rusaupdate.org.