91´«Ã½

CHICAGO—The is offering group registration discounts for its four 2011 Annual preconferences in New Orleans.

Libraries, library networks or systems registering three or more of their employees for any of RUSA’s four preconferences will pay excellent per-participant rates that are only available through group registration. Any organization or staff member is eligible, regardless of membership status, and may register for any RUSA preconference so long as the three-person minimum is met. This offer is limited to preconferences hosted by RUSA.

This year’s events cover topics that are especially useful for public librarians: genealogy reference, business reference, services to older adults and successful collaborations with library information technology staff. Comprehensive event information—including individual registration rates—is available at the . The group registration form can also be . All events will be held at one of the 91´«Ã½ Annual Conference hotels in New Orleans.

This year’s RUSA preconferences are:

The Genealogy Reference Desk: How to Make it Big and Easy

Friday, June 24, 2011, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Topic: Basic skills for effective genealogy reference services; expert speakers on the War of 1812, plantation and confederate records and genealogy programming for your library. Lunch is sponsored by ProQuest.

GROUP RATES: $95 each until May 13; then $120 May 14-June 19

Effective Library Service to Older Adults Seeking Employment and Volunteer

Opportunities

Friday, June 24, 2011, 8 a.m. - noon

Topic: How libraries can respond to the job search assistance needs of older job seekers; an overview of prospective partners, including resources that may be available through the Workforce Investment Act and the Corporation for National and Community Service.

GROUP RATES: $120 each until May 13; then $150, May 14-June 19

Business Reference 101: Core Competencies for Business Librarianship

Friday, June 24, 2011, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

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.

GROUP RATES: $175 each until May 13; then $205 May 14-June 19

Strange Bedfellows: IT and Reference Collaborations to Enhance User Experiences

Friday, June 24, 2011, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Topic: strategies for successful collaborations between Reference and IT departments; speakers draw from personal experience to illustrate successful collaboration; breakout sessions to dig more deeply into effective strategies.

GROUP RATES: $175 each until May 13; then $205 May 14-June 19

The , 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 .