From the President
by
Hello RUSA Members,
It’s hard to believe I’m wrapping up my term as RUSA President, what a whirlwind of a year.
Thank you to the RUSA Board of Directors. All their hard work this past year has enabled us to craft a new mission statement and strategic plan, specifically to steer the future of reference and user services. As we worked toward this common goal, we used appreciative inquiry, strove for cultural alignment, setting cultural norms for the board, and linked our work to support of our members and profession of reference and user services. On May 13, 2019, the RUSA Board of Directors approved a new mission statement for RUSA:
“The Reference and User Services Association is a network to educate, empower, and inspire its members to advance the evolution of the profession and better serve users in a continuously changing information society.”
Beth German, President-Elect, Bill Ladewski, RUSA Executive Director, and I have worked so closely in setting out a year’s worth of work in accomplishing these goals as well. Our success is closely tied to our phenomenal working relationship. I couldn’t have done it without them.
Congratulations to all our newly elected RUSA Leaders, especially our Vice-President, President-Elect, Courtney McDonald. I know they are all up to the task of moving RUSA forward as we achieve our strategic goals and initiatives both within the Division and within ALA.
If you are headed to DC for ALA Annual 2019, welcome to my home away from home! If you get a chance—go to Ben’s Chili Bowl on U Street. Get a chili half-smoke for a truly DC experience. And get some cake—their cake is homemade and OH.SO.GOOD.
RUSA and its sections have many amazing programs planned for you at ALA Annual. I would like to personally invite you to my President’s Program, which will be exploring how changing service models affect the needs of all:
Inequity and the Disappearance of Reference and User Services
Saturday, June 22, 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Washington Convention Center, 147B
We also have two ticketed events featuring amazing books and their authors. As RUSA Members you get a discount on the tickets too.
Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence in Fiction and Nonfiction Ceremony and Reception
Saturday, June 22, 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Renaissance, Grand Ballroom South
and
Literary Tastes: Celebrating the Best Reading of the Year
Sunday, June 23, 8:00 am – 10:00 am
Renaissance, Congressional Ballroom
All of this is thanks to the Volunteers of RUSA, but also to our amazing RUSA Staff. Thank you to Ninah Moore, Shuntai Sykes, Melissa Vanyek, and Bill Ladewski for all your hard work!
And thank all of you for this amazing opportunity to be your President.
Ann Brown
RUSA President 2018-2019