BOOKS

Developing library and information center collections. 4th ed.
G. Edward Evans with the assistance of Margaret R. Zarnosky, Libraries Unlimited, 2000. ISBN 1-56308-832-0 �47.50 softback

The fourth edition of a standard text having 19 chapters and an epilogue with coverage including: information needs assessment; collection development policies; selection process in practice, producers of informational materials print-based serials; electronic serials, government information; acquisitions; distributors and vendors; fiscal management; deselection; evaluation; co-operative collection development. etc. etc

Systems analysis for librarians and information professionals. 2nd ed.
Larry N. Osborne and Margaret Nakamura, Libraries Unlimited, 2000. ISBN 1-56308-693-X US$ 45 ($54 outside North America) softback

The second edition of a basic textbook has been written for those with little or no exposure to systems analysis. Having described systems analysis - its meaning, purpose and history - the steps in the process are carefully outlined. The authors cover the limitations of systems analysis, provide an overview of the rationale for applying it to problem situations, and examples to illustrate the concepts. A new chapter has been added on object-oriented techniques, and case studies are included. A practical text for students and practitioners wanting to update their technological know-how in a painless way.

The Newbery and Caldecott Awards: a guide to the medal and honor books. 2000 edition
American Library Association. ISBN 0-8389-3500-1. US$17 paperback

This annual volume lists and annotates all winning titles and honor books since the inception of the awards. Whilst it is clearly a basic reference tool for children�s and school librarians in North America, it will be a useful source of information for those selecting books for children in other parts of the world.

Management basics for information professionals
G. Edward Evans, Patricia Layzell Ward and Ben Rugaas, Neal-Schuman, 2000.
ISBN 1-55570-370-4. US$55 paperback

This is a substantial revision of Evans� earlier texts on library management, and covers all aspects of basic management that needs to be covered at an information or library school. The text is arranged in three sections; background; management - knowledge and skills; and managing resources. Extensive reading lists are provided. Additional materials are available on a website which will be used to update the text and relevant readings between editions. A CD-ROM of case studies is available for lecturers.

JOURNAL ISSUES

Issues in Science and Technology Librarianship, Spring 2000

The Spring 2000 issue of Issues in Science and Technology Librarianship celebrates the 30th anniversary of Earth Day with the theme of Sci-Tech Libraries and the Environment.

Table of Contents:

• It's Not Easy Being Green: A Survey of Staff Experiences with Environmental Issues in Sci-Tech and Other Libraries
• Love Canal: Reminder of Why We Celebrate Earth Day
• Training Future Science Librarians: A Successful Partnership Between Academia and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• Transforming Higher Education Through Sustainability and Environmental Education
• The Need for Environmental Information Quality

JASIS, Volume 51, Number 8

Papers in this issue:

• An Evaluation of Retrieval Effectiveness Using Spelling-Correction and String-Similarity Matching Methods on Malay Texts
• Managing Heterogeneuous Information Systems through Discovery and Retrieval of Generic Concepts
• Raising Reliability of Web Search Tool Research through Replication and Chaos Theory
• The Personal Construction of Information Space
• Time-Line Interviews and Inductive Content Analysis: Their Effectiveness for Exploring Cognitive Behaviors
• Abstracts Produced Using Computer Assistance
• Encounters with the OPAC: On-Line Searching in Public Libraries
• Using Clustering Strategies for Creating Authority Files

International Federation of Library Associations. Section of Public Libraries Newsletter

The Section of Public Libaries Newsletter is published by the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions. The Section of Public Libraries provides an active international forum for the development and promotion of public libraries which serve the whole community in the context of the information society and ensure free and equal access to information at the local level.

The latest Newsletter from the Public Libraries Section, Issue No. 22, March 2000, is now to be found on IFLA Web site at http://ifla.org/VII/s8/spl.htm#3. The Newsletter is in pdf-format, so in order to read it on your computer, you must have the free software Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you haven't got this free software, you can download it from a href=".

Portal: Libraries and the Academy

The Johns Hopkins University Press has announced the launch of Portal: Libraries and the Academy, an exciting new quarterly journal, in January 2001. Portal is a bold new move by academic librarians to disseminate scholarship in all aspects of librarianship within higher education. This scholarly journal will also explore how technology is affecting librarianship and scholarship, as well as the role of libraries in meeting institutional missions.

The information revolution has presented numerous challenges to librarians and administrators in several areas including archiving, copyright, and distance learning. Portal will cover these topics, and many others, as they relate to the rapidly changing needs of academics and the roles of libraries and librarians. Through the highest-quality research and news about librarianship in higher education institutions, Portal will provide a much needed, fresh perspective. Each issue will include peer-reviewed articles on subjects such as library administration, information technology, and information policy. Reviews of newly published books in areas of librarianship and higher education, as well as reviews of computer and database resources will also be featured. Regular columns will address policy and strategic planning, technological issues, and management and personnel issues.

Following the acquisition of the Journal of Academic Librarianship (JAL) in 1998 by a large European publisher, most members of JAL's editorial board tendered their resignations in protest and sought out a publisher that was recognised for its support of libraries. Brought together again at The Johns Hopkins University Press, a publisher that shares their commitment to serve the library community, these individuals now compose large part of Portal's editorial board. However, the editors will not simply recreate JAL under a different name. The editors bring their experience and skills to a new journal that will go against the grain by addressing such controversies as the relative value of STM journals and their effect on research libraries. Portal will provide an unbiased outlet for issues that scholars have been unable or unwilling to address in other venues.

The Johns Hopkins University Press will begin publishing Portal: Libraries and the Academy in January 2001. Annual subscriptions for individuals will cost $48.00. The institutional subscriptions will be $145.00. Portal will also be available on the World Wide Web as part of the Project MUSE� collection of online journals. Visit for more information.

ALA Annual Report

The 1998-99 Annual Report of the American Library Association (ALA) is now available online at www.ala.org/pio/ar99.html. The report includes highlights from the past fiscal year, including public awareness efforts, membership. conferences, publishing, honours, leadership and grants. A copy of the Annual Report was sent to all ALA members as a supplement to the May issue of American Libraries magazine. For financial information from fiscal year 1998-99, please see the ALA Treasurer's Report at www.ala.org/alaorg/treasurer. For additional copies, call the ALA Public Information Office at send e-mail to [email protected].

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