Online Courses Offered

Registration is now open for Reference and User Service Association RUSA’s spring and summer online courses. Registration is $130 for RUSA members; $175 for ALA members; $210 for non-members and $100 for student/retiree members of ALA. Genealogy 101, May 17 – June 18 This new course is designed for reference staff with little to no experience in genealogy. Using a case study to frame the coursework, participants will learn about tools and techniques they can use to confidently assist patrons with family history research. A review of archival material, print reference tools and online sources is included in the curriculum. Business Reference 101, May 10 – June 4 Appropriate for librarians and library staff of all types who wish to acquire business reference expertise, Business Reference 101 will demystify such topics as SIC, NAICS codes, ROI and 10ks. Students will also have access to such proprietary business reference databases as Standard & Poor’s Net Advantage and Thomson/Gale’s Business & Company Resource Center. The Reference Interview, April 19 – May 21 This comprehensive course covers such reference interview topics  as cultivating an approachable reference environment, successful questioning and listening techniques and appropriate follow-up methods. Staff of all levels at all types of libraries will find this content helpful in their day-to-day engagement with library patrons. Readers’ Advisory 101, June 28 – Aug. 14 Through practice sessions, participants learn how to use RA tools, craft annotations, read in genres, articulate appeal and experiment with methods to offer RA services. Readers’ Advisory 101 is tailored for those at all types of libraries—support staff, library technicians, newly hired reference librarians and those librarians who want to brush up on their skills.