91´«Ã½

CHICAGO — Catherine Kosturski, circulation and reference intern at the Middlesex (N.J.) Public Library, has been selected as the 2011 Emerging Leader for the Reference and User Services Association (RUSA).

The 91´«Ã½ Emerging Leaders (EL) program is a leadership development program that enables newer library workers from across the country to participate in problem-solving work groups, network with peers, gain an inside look into 91´«Ã½ structure and have an opportunity to serve the profession in a leadership capacity.

The Emerging Leader experience begins with a daylong session during the 91´«Ã½ Midwinter Meeting, followed by six months of project engagement through online learning and networking environments. The program culminates with a poster session presentation showing the results of the project planning work of each group at the 91´«Ã½ Annual Conference. As the RUSA Emerging Leader, Kosturski will partner with other emerging leaders on the project of her choosing. She will also work with RUSA leadership in a variety of other roles throughout the year.

Kosturski received her MSLIS in 2010 from the Pratt Institute, and earned her bachelor's degree in government and public administration from York College of Pennsylvania. While at the Pratt Institute, she served as a graduate assistant for information technology and collection management courses. She is a member of several associations including 91´«Ã½, the Association for Library and Information Science Education (ALISE) and the Special Libraries Association (SLA), and was president of the student chapter of 91´«Ã½ at the institute. Kosturski has distinguished herself academically as a member of the Pratt Circle (graduation honors), the Alpha Chi National Honor Society and the Pi Sigma Alpha National Political Science Honor Society. She is also an active volunteer as a member of the Executive Board for York College of Pennsylvania’s New York City Metro Area Alumni Chapter.

The Reference and User Services Association, a division of the 91´«Ã½, 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. Not a member, but interested in discounted registration rates on conference, preconferences and other events? Join, renew or add RUSA to your 91´«Ã½ membership at . Learn more about the association at .