RUSA 2024 Awards: Celebrating Excellence in Librarianship and Literature
The Reference and User Services Association (RUSA) serves as a cornerstone for professionals in reference, collection development, and resource sharing. Each year, RUSA recognizes the highest standards of literary achievement and professional dedication through a comprehensive suite of awards. These honors are determined by committees of specialists in adult services, ensuring that the recognized works and individuals represent the pinnacle of their respective fields.
The 2024 awards span a diverse array of categories, from groundbreaking fiction and nonfiction to essential business resources and the professional achievements of librarians who shape the future of information access.
Key Facts
- RUSA (Reference and User Services Association) manages awards across several sections, including CODES, BRASS, and the History Section.
- The Andrew Carnegie Medals for Fiction and Nonfiction are cosponsored by RUSA and Booklist.
- The Dartmouth Medal is the premier award for a single reference work of outstanding quality.
- Professional achievement awards honor individual librarians and institutions for their contributions to the field.
- The Listen List specifically recognizes excellence in audiobook narration.
CODES Book and Media Awards
The Collection Development and Evaluation Section (CODES) focuses on identifying the most impactful materials for adult readers. Their awards highlight a wide spectrum of genres and formats.
Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence
Supported by the Carnegie Corporation of New York and administered by the American Library Association, these medals are among the most prestigious in the industry. The 2024 winners are:
- Fiction: The Berry Pickers: A Novel by Amanda Peters.
- Nonfiction: We Were Once a Family: A Story of Love, Death, and Child Removal in America by Roxanna Asgarian.
Notable Books and Specialized Honors
Beyond the Carnegie Medals, CODES identifies "Notable Books" across fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. A special distinction, the Sophie Brody Medal, is awarded for outstanding achievement in Jewish literature; the 2024 recipient is The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride.
For genre enthusiasts, The Reading List highlights the best in specific categories:
- Adrenaline: Better the Blood by Michael Bennett
- Fantasy: Gods of the Wyrdwood by R. J. Barker
- Historical Fiction: Lady Tan's Circle of Women by Lisa See
- Horror: The September House by Carissa Orlando
- Mystery: A Disappearance in Fiji by Nilima Rao
- Relationship Fiction: The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise by Colleen Oakley
- Romance: Role Playing by Cathy Yardley
- Science Fiction: House of Gold by C. T. Rwizi
Audiobooks and Culinary Arts
The Listen List celebrates audiobooks that inspire and delight, featuring titles such as The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi and King: A Life. Additionally, the Essential Cookbooks 2024 list recognizes diverse culinary works, including Latinísimo by Sandra A. Gutierrez and Baking Yesteryear by B. Dylan Hollis.
Reference and Specialized Information Sources
RUSA places a heavy emphasis on the tools that power research. The Outstanding Reference Sources committee recommends publications for small and medium-sized libraries, while the Dartmouth Medal was awarded to Hymenoptera: The Natural History & Diversity of Wasps, Bees & Ants by Stephen A. Marshall.
Business and Historical Materials
The Business Reference and Services Section (BRASS) identifies critical business tools. The 2024 "Outstanding" sources include Chip War by Chris Miller and the Routledge Handbook of the Extractive Industries and Sustainable Development. BRASS also recognizes top web resources, such as the Collective Bargaining, Labor Relations, and Labor Unions Guide from Cornell University Library.
The History Section, established in 1961, continues to curate the Best Historical Materials. Notable 2024 entries include the Election Atlas of India and The Oxford Handbook of Global Drug History.
| Award Category | Focus Area | Key 2024 Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| Andrew Carnegie Medals | Fiction & Nonfiction | The Berry Pickers / We Were Once a Family |
| Dartmouth Medal | Reference Works | Hymenoptera by Stephen A. Marshall |
| Sophie Brody Medal | Jewish Literature | The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store |
| BRASS Outstanding | Business Information | Chip War by Chris Miller |
| Listen List | Audiobook Narration | Various fiction and nonfiction titles |
RUSA Professional Achievement Awards
RUSA does not only honor books but also the people who manage them. These awards recognize excellence in reference librarianship and specialized services.
Division and Federal Honors
- Isadore Gilbert Mudge Award: Meg Smith (New York University Division of Libraries) for distinguished contributions to reference librarianship.
- Federal Achievement Award: Paula Laurita (U.S. Army Materiel Command Redstone Arsenal).
- Federal Rising Stars: Elán Marae Birkeland, Max Gonzalez Burdick, and Lori Ann Mullooly.
Section-Specific Achievements
- BRASS: Diane Zabel received the Excellence in Business Librarianship Award.
- CODES: The Louis Shores Award was given to Marlene Harris and LibraryReads.
- ETS (Emerging Technologies): Recognition for the 3D Digital Herbarium (Cal Poly Humboldt) and the Multi-sensory POP-UP Storywalk™ (Miami-Dade Public Library System).
- STARS: Emily Campbell received the Virginia Boucher Distinguished ILL Librarian Award.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who selects the winners of the RUSA awards?
Recipients are selected by committees composed of professionals who specialize in adult services, including members of the RUSA CODES Notable Books Council and editors from Booklist for the Carnegie Medals.
What is the purpose of the Dartmouth Medal?
The Dartmouth Medal is awarded annually to a reference work of outstanding quality and significance published during the previous calendar year.
What does the BRASS section focus on?
The Business Reference and Services Section (BRASS) focuses on all aspects of business reference, providing newsletters, columns, and annual awards for the best business information sources and web resources.
What is the Sophie Brody Medal?
The Sophie Brody Medal is an annual award given for outstanding achievement in Jewish literature for works published in the United States during the previous year.
How does the History Section contribute to library resources?
Established in 1961, the History Section represents librarians and archivists engaged in historical research and annually publishes a curated list of the Best Historical Materials with extensive annotations.