91´«Ã½

CHICAGO-

The Reference and User Services (RUSA) of the 91´«Ã½ is pleased to share a series of essential 101 in-depth courses that are the basis of librarianship.

Business Reference

This three-week asynchronous course is for any librarian or librarian-in-training who wants to gain confidence and knowledge around BizRef topics such as company and industry research, consumer and market research, entrepreneurship topics and more. Participants will interact with other course participants and share BizRef “stumper” questions, we well as have access to a number of proprietary business research databases throughout trials set up specifically for them. The instructor Celia Ross, will presents students with resource guides specific to company research, industry research, small business and entrepreneurship, basic investing and stock market research, consumer research, international business research, business statistics and more.

Inside Interlibrary Loan

A four-week asynchronous course designed for MLS candidates, MLS graduates, librarians, library administrators, and paraprofessional. The course teaches you everything you need to know about Inside Interlibrary Loan (ILL) systems, including nuts, regulations, and copyright issues surrounding ILL. Throughout the course, participants will gain exposure to and become skilled in assessing how ILL affects your organizations staffing and budgeting bottom lines. The projects, readings, and exercise will be of an immediate and practical nature. Instructor Debra Luca-Alfieri will also introduce you to management software tools, both those internally as a homegrown option, or a proprietary software platform like ILLiad or Tipasa

Reference Interview

A comprehensive six-week asynchronous course tailored for support staff, library technicians, newly hired reference librarians and those librarians who want to brush up on their interview skills. This course will focus 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. Introductory in nature, using images and text, this in-depth educational approach lead by instructor David Tyckoson, covers everything from the approachability of the librarians to how to follow up with a patrons.

These courses are offered on an annual basis, please visit for information on the next offering.

The Reference and User Services Association (RUSA), 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. Learn more at .