‘Bruce Songs’ Selected to 2025 Outstanding References Sources List

"Bruce Songs: The Music of Bruce Springsteen, Album-by-Album, Song-by-Song," written by Kenneth Womack, Ph.D., professor in the Departments of English, and Music and Theatre Arts, and Kenneth Campbell, Ph.D., professor in the Department of History and Anthropology, was recently named to the 2025 Outstanding References Sources List. The annual list, selected by experts of the Collection Development and Evaluation Section (CODES) of the Reference and User Services Association (RUSA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), was announced at the Book & Media Awards Ceremony on Jan. 24.

Rutgers University Press describes the book as, "Rich with contemporary reviews, insider accounts, photographs, and special sections highlighting pivotal moments and key figures…and… an indispensable companion for fans and scholars. It offers an immersive journey through the music of The Boss, making it an essential read for anyone captivated by Springsteen's enduring musical legacy."

The Outstanding Reference Sources Committee was established in 1958 to recommend the most outstanding reference publications published the previous year for small and medium-sized public and academic libraries. The selected titles are valuable reference resources and are highly recommended for inclusion in any library's reference collections.

The selection committee consists of Rebecca Freeman, University of South Carolina Lancaster, chair; Jodie Borgerding, Washington University; Dona Helmer, Anchorage School District; Terri Frank, Brighton District Library; Maryanne Flynn, Denver Public Library; and Dave Tyckoson, California State University Fresno.

The Reference and User Services Association (RUSA), a division of the American Library Association, 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. Learn more at rusaupdate.org.