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RUSA awards

るさしょう

A group of annual awards hosted by RUSA (Reference and User Services Association) that recognize books, media, and professional achievements.

FictionNonfictionPoetryAudiobookReferenceBusinessHistorical materialsProfessional achievementCookbooksBook & Media awards
Established
1996
Organizer
Reference and User Services Association (RUSA) — American Library Association (ALA)
Category
Poetry and Contemporary Poetry
Selection Method
Selection
Target
Professional
Frequency
1 per year
Status
Active

Description

Reference and User Services Association (RUSA) is a division of the American Library Association and operates multiple annual awards recognizing books, media, reference materials, and achievements in library professionals. Major awards and lists include Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence (Fiction/Nonfiction), Sophie Brody Medal (Jewish literature), Dartmouth Medal (outstanding reference books), Notable Books for Adults, The Reading List, The Listen List, Essential Cookbooks, Outstanding Reference Sources, BRASS Best of the Best Business Web Resources, and various RUSA Achievement Awards (such as Isadore Gilbert Mudge Award). Winners and nominees are selected by selection committees from RUSA's sections (CODES, BRASS, HS, etc.) and announced annually via RUSA Update and ALA's official channels.

Prize

Main Prize
Medals, commendations, list inclusions, grants, travel awards, etc. (many categories are honorary awards without cash prizes)
  • Medals (e.g., Sophie Brody Medal, Dartmouth Medal)
  • Book attention through inclusion in Notable Books or Reading/Listen Lists
  • Research grants or travel awards (e.g., Gail Schlachter Memorial Research Grant)
  • Professional commendations (e.g., Isadore Gilbert Mudge Award)

Selection

Selection Process

Nomination and submission reception / Candidate extraction
Judges Nominations or submissions by publishers, librarians, and committee members (submission methods vary by category)
Pass Rate Not disclosed / Varies by category
Announcement Each section creates preliminary candidates and shares internally
Review by selection committee (preliminary / final)
Judges Selection committees from RUSA sections (CODES, BRASS, HS, etc.), experts in related fields, and sometimes Booklist editors
Pass Rate Not disclosed (varies by selection criteria and number of candidates)
Announcement Final candidates and winners determined through committee discussion and voting
Winner determination and public announcement
Judges Final selection committee (per category)
Pass Rate Not disclosed
Announcement Announced via RUSA Update, rusaupdate.org, ALA official site, and press releases

Criteria

  • Literary and academic quality (excellent writing, research, editing)
  • Suitability and utility for library collections
  • Importance and impact for target readers
  • Originality and contribution (accuracy and comprehensiveness for reference materials)
  • Narration and recording quality (audio categories)

Application Tips

Dos

  • Read the official application guidelines and category-specific rules in advance, and follow the format and deadline
  • Attach accurate bibliographic information (ISBN, publisher, publication date, etc.)
  • Confirm that the target audience of the work/material (e.g., adults) matches the application category
  • Pre-check the recording and narration quality for audio works
  • Ensure completeness of references and indexes for reference books or academic works

Don''ts

  • Do not submit in non-compliant formats or with incomplete documents
  • Do not apply after the deadline
  • Do not leave application form descriptions vague (it hinders the review)
  • Do not apply indiscriminately to multiple categories (choose appropriate ones)

From Judges

  • Emphasis is placed on content quality and value as library materials rather than format
  • Accuracy and citations are of utmost importance for reference and academic books
  • Descriptions that clearly state benefits and usability for libraries are more likely to be highly evaluated
  • For audio works, the appeal of the voice and professional recording quality greatly influence selection

Related Awards

  • Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence in Fiction and Nonfiction
  • Sophie Brody Medal
  • Dartmouth Medal
  • ALA Notable Books / ALA Notable Books (Adults)
  • BRASS Best of the Best Business Web Resources
  • RUSA Achievement Awards (Isadore Gilbert Mudge Award, etc.)
  • Various list inclusion opportunities on RUSA Update (rusaupdate.org)

Official Resources

https://rusaupdate.org/awards

Past Winners

Edition 0 (2024)
Amanda Peters Winner
Roxanna Asgarian Winner
James McBride Winner
Stephen A. Marshall Winner
Meg Smith Winner
Renate Chancellor Winner
Shannon Crooks Winner
Addison Public Library Winner
Paula Laurita Winner
D. Lynne Rickard Winner
Elán Marae Birkeland Winner
Max Gonzalez Burdick Winner
Lori Ann Mullooly Winner
Amanda Scott Winner
Brynne Norton Winner
Emily Campbell Winner
Edition 0 (2023)
Julie Otsuka Winner
Ed Yong (Edmund Soon-Weng Yong) Winner
Herman Shugart, Peter White, Sassan Saatchi, Jérôme Chave Winner
Michael Frank Winner
Jennifer C. Boettcher Winner
Princeton University Industrial Relations Library Winner
Rebecca Clarke Winner
Christina Plakas Winner
Willetta M. Grady Winner
Michelle A. Ortiz Winner
Mariah Antoinette Lovick Winner
Hal P. Kirkwood Winner
Diana Tixier Herald Winner
Shannon Jones Winner
Whitney Thompson Winner
Michelle Enke Winner
Jalesia Horton Winner
Edition 0 (2022)
Molly Baz Winner
Freddie Bitsoie & James O. Fraioli Winner
Hsiao-Ching Chou Winner
Zoë François Winner
Dorie Greenspan Winner
Christopher Kimball Winner
Joshua McFadden Winner
Matthew Raiford Winner
Sheldon Simeon Winner
Julia Turshen Winner
Christine Sahadi Whelan Winner
Cari Lee Skogberg Eastman Winner
Ross F. Collins Winner