SAN DIEGO — The Reference and User Services Association (RUSA) has announced its selection for the 2011 Louis Shores Award.

Bill Ott, editor and publisher of Booklist magazine, was selected for his outstanding contributions to the field of reviewing. At Booklist, he not only helms a publication that is one of the most important review sources in the country and an invaluable resource for librarians, but he also consistently contributes some of its most thoughtful and insightful reviews. Whether he is reviewing in his beloved genre of Crime Fiction, or ranging farther afield, a Bill Ott review is not only a pleasure to read for its own sake, but eloquently conveys the appeal of a book and gives selectors a real sense of why a book does or does not deserve a place in their collections. He is the author of a recent book collecting his columns written for Booklist called 'The Back Page" (91´«Ã½ Editions, 2009).

The Louis Shores Award recognizes an individual reviewer, group, editor, review medium or organization for excellence in book reviewing and other media for libraries.

Ott was selected by the award committee, including members Megan McArdle, chair, Berkeley Public Library; Christine King, Iowa State University and Kaite Stover, Kansas City Public Library.

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 .