91´«Ã½

CHICAGO — There is something for everyone among the four preconferences hosted by various special interest sections of the at the 2011 91´«Ã½ Annual Conference.

Librarians and support staff from all types of libraries will find this year’s preconferences of interest—topics covered this year will include library services to older adults; genealogy reference basics and local resources; effective collaboration strategies between librarians and their IT departments; and business reference basics. All events will be held at one of the conference hotels and are open to any interested individual. More information about all of these preconferences is available in

This year’s RUSA preconferences are:

• Effective Library Service to Older Adults Seeking Employment and Volunteer Opportunities
  
  Friday, June 24, 2011, 8 a.m. - noon.
  
  Hosted by RUSA RSS
  
  The current recession has prompted many older adults to seek employment or volunteer opportunities. How are libraries responding to the job search assistance needs of these older job seekers? This preconference will describe various library programs as well as provide an overview of prospective partners, including resources that may be available through the Workforce Investment Act and the Corporation for National and Community Service.
  
  Advance Registration (through May 13, 2011): RUSA member, $125;
  
  91´«Ã½ member, $170; non-member, $215; student and retired members, $105.
  
  
• The Genealogy Reference Desk: How to Make it Big and Easy
  
  Friday, June 24, 2011, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  
  Hosted by RUSA History Section (HS)
  
  RUSA’s History Section hosts another outstanding genealogy reference workshop. In addition to covering basic skills for effective genealogy reference services, this event will feature expert speakers on local and specialized resources that help answer the more challenging research questions. Librarians from public, academic and all other types of libraries interested in learning how to use genealogy-related resources more effectively will benefit from this session. Lunch is sponsored by ProQuest.
  
  Advance Registration (through May 13, 2011): RUSA member, $100;
  
  91´«Ã½ member, $145; non-member, $220; student and retired members, $75.
• Strange Bedfellows: IT and Reference Collaborations to Enhance User Experiences
  
  Friday, June 24, 2011, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  
  Hosted by RUSA MARS and RUSA RSS
  
  This preconference will present strategies for successful collaborations between Reference and IT departments. Innovative approaches to enhance user experiences frequently require collaborations between reference and IT. Speakers will draw from personal experiences in order to illustrate how a successful collaboration is achieved and how to overcome challenges along the way. Breakout sessions will provide participants with an opportunity to delve further into strategies that appeal to them.
  
  Advance Registration (through May 13, 2011): RUSA member, $185;
  
  91´«Ã½ member, $205; non-member, $230; student and retired members, $160.
• Business Reference 101: Core Competencies for Business Librarianship
  
  Friday, June 24, 2011 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  
  Hosted by RUSA BRASS
  
  This full-day interactive workshop is designed for new business librarians; generalists who have assumed responsibility in business librarianship; or librarians who handle business reference-related inquiries in all types of libraries, including academic, public and special libraries. Rhonda Kleiman, economic development manager at the Library System of Lancaster and Bobray Bordelon, economics and finance librarian/data services librarian at Princeton University will present.
  
  Advance Registration (through May 13, 2011): RUSA member, $195;91´«Ã½ member, $225; non-member, $295; student and retired members, $165.

Interested participants have the option to for just a RUSA preconference, or for both a preconference and the Annual Conference. For preconference-only registration using the , select “SO-Preconference and Ticketed Events Only” as the registration type and proceed to select this event from the list of ticketed events. Conference registrants can add this event to their registration and will find it under the list of ticketed events and preconferences in the online form. Event codes are listed above in the event descriptions for those using the printed registration form for fax or mail. Advance registration rates are available through May 13 and prices will increase after that date. for all RUSA preconferences will close Sunday, June 19.

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. Learn more at .