Policy and Procedure Manual for the Reference Sources Committee
Introduction
The manual has been developed to serve as a guide for members of the RUSA Reference Sources Committee. It is a revision of a manual compiled by Fr. Jovian P. Lang, OFM, from policies approved by the RUSA Board of Directors and other working documents prepared by Gary Purcell, Carl Cox, Larry Earl Bone, and Fr. Lang.
When established in 1958 at the request of the editors of Library Journal to continue an annual selection begun by Louis Shores, the Reference Sources Committee was named the Library Journal List of Reference Books Committee. The name has been changed by the RUSA Board successively from Outstanding Reference Books Committee (1976) to Outstanding Reference Sources Committee (1979) to Reference Sources Committee (1981).
Beginning with "Reference Sources of 1983," the annotated list is published in the May issue of American Libraries each year.
RUSA Reference Sources Committee
Establishment
Established July 1980 by RASD Board, replacing Outstanding Reference Sources Committee as of adjournment of 1981 ALA Conference. Assigned to CODES July, 1991.
Purpose
To select the annual list of reference sources recommended for small and medium-sized libraries.
Composition
Eight members plus the chairperson. At the discretion of the chair, the committee may seek assistance from non-committee members who possess special expertise. Consideration should be given to balancing subject expertise and experience in various types of libraries.
Terms
Two-year staggered terms, evenly balanced. Due to the work cycle of the committee, terms of office shall run from the conclusion of the Midwinter Meeting to the conclusion of the Midwinter Meeting.
Specific Duties
- To compile annual selection of notable reference sources, primarily for use in small- and medium-sized public or college libraries. This list is published in the (May) of American Libraries.
- To expand the scope of the publication in a phased manner to include:
- Reference materials for children and young adults as well as adults;
- Other formats than books alone, most particularly micro-formats and machine-readable databases;
- Out-of-print items which, as basic reference sources should be among the holdings of those libraries toward which the publication is directed.
- To establish a strong liaison relationship with ALSC and YALSA.
RUSA Reference Sources Committee Selection Criteria
Prepared by the RUSA Publications Committee, January 31, 1981. Revised by the Reference Sources Committee, June 1988 Approved by the RUSA Board, 1988 Conference. Proceed to criteria section of the About page.
Procedure
The Committee is organized so that each member has the responsibility for certain subject areas. Assignments are made by Dewey Classification numbers. Selection policies were written in 1958, and have been used since then with only minor revisions. All members are asked to examine new publications in their assigned areas, to choose titles that would be possible candidates for the list, to keep notes which could be used as a basis for annotations, and to provide the correct bibliographic information.
Working sessions are held during the Midwinter Meeting with some time allotted to visiting exhibits and bookstores to find titles not seen prior to the meeting. All members are expected to come prepared to present and discuss those books which they have chosen as candidates for the list. Final selections are made by a majority vote of the group. Following this meeting, all members verify bibliographic information and write annotations for books in their subject areas. This material is sent to the Chair by the time specified in the Calendar of Events. The Chair edits the list and sends the final copy to American Libraries no later than the time specified by the Calendar of Events.
Resources
Members may solicit review copies of titles in their areas of responsibility from publishers, and a list of titles not located before Midwinter is submitted to the RUSA office staff, who try to obtain copies to be available at the Midwinter meeting. Members also bring to Midwinter typed copies of a list of any likely titles which they have been unable to examine. These are distributed to the Committee and checked by everyone during and immediately following Midwinter. All available information is sent to the Chairperson, who occasionally makes final decisions on these books, in consultation with individual committee members if necessary.
Exhibit of Books
An exhibit of the selected titles is available for regional, state and local meetings. Contact the RUSA Office for more information.
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