BOOKS

The cybrarian's manual 2
Pat Ensor. American Library Association, 2000. ISBN 0838907776 US$45.00 (US$40.50 ALA members) softback

A handbook of information for those working with, and in, cyberspace compiled by a panel of 35 contributors. It covers hot topics, practical tips, Web resource recommendations and a list of acronyms. Sample chapter titles: 'Cyber-citing: citing electronic resources', 'Providing Web access in libraries: a practical guide' and 'The iron triangle of privacy, filtering, and Internet use policies'. Useful reference tool for small libraries starting out in cyberspace (and there are many of them), and anyone who wants a readable way to check out their skills in this field. A practical handbook.

Employment and health: psychosocial stress in the workplace.
Jennie Grimshaw. British Library, 2000. ISBN 0712308474 �38.00 softback

One of a series of publications which provides a commentary and citations to the literature in an area of topical concern. This title considers workplace stress, recognising that it is a world wide problem which results in a major loss of person-hours each year. Jennie Grimshaw's work shows that whilst there is a strong suspicion that stress results in impaired mental and physical health, many of the current research methods are flawed. Although it focuses on the UK, Europe and North America it also includes important research from around the world, and provides bibliographical sources which include BLDSC shelf marks to help readers obtain the items. A reference tool for human resources staff, managers in any field, and information and library services in all sectors.

Developing a successful service plan
Sheila Pantry and Peter Griffiths. Library Association Publishing, 2000. ISBN 1856043924 �13.50 softback

The latest title in the series the Successful LIS Professional series, which provides short texts on topical subjects. Service plans are needed by all library and information centres, irrespective of type, and both small and large. They provide a statement of what the service intends to achieve, and enables the information service to add value to the whole organisation. This text offers a systematic approach to creating and maintaining a successful service plan. An example of a service plan template is provided, together with a reading list of other sources. It will be particularly useful for those at the start of their careers, or who are just starting to get involved with planning. A good starting point.

A study on copyright and legal deposit of online documents.
Ingrid Mauritzen and Svein Arne Solbakk. NORDINFO reports, 2000:1. NORDINFO, 2000. ISBN 9525204073 no charge contact [email protected]

The report has been prepared by the Legal Adviser and Head of Information Technology at the National Library of Norway, and the aim of their study was to present the copyright questions related to the legal deposit of online documents and look into the technical solutions. The legal deposit of online documents has been, and is under revision, in the Nordic countries and elsewhere. The current situation in the Nordic and some other European countries is described together with scenarios for technical solutions to handle copyright.

Training skills for information and library staff.
Barbara Allen. Library Association Publishing, 2000. ISBN 185604372X �34.95 softback

The author is well qualified to write this text since she has managed academic and special libraries, is an independent trainer and has designed and delivered training programmes in the UK, Portugal, Egypt and Singapore. Many information and library practitioners are engaged in training activities in their daily work, and need, and want to know about new approaches to learning. This text introduces the newer approaches to training to the profession, as well as those that are tried and tested. It is clearly written, well designed, and will be a useful and practical handbook for trainers.

The academic library
Peter Brophy. Library Association Publishing, 2000. ISBN 856043746 �29.95 softback

Peter Brophy is an appropriate person to write about academic libraries, having made major contributions to research and practice in this sector. His writing always repays reading, and it is good to see that he has provided an excellent overview of issues facing academic libraries. It will provide an introductory text for students and those taking up a first post in academic libraries, excellent background reading for policy-makers in government and the universities, and stimulate the thinking of academic library managers. The profession needs well written texts which will stimulate the thoughts of the reflective practitioner.

Copyright for library and information service professionals. 2nd ed.
Paul Pedley. Aslib, 2000. ISBN 1851424325 �13.99 softback

One of a series entitled the Aslib Know How Guides, which provides short practical guides to current issues written by practitioners who are experts in the field. Paul Pedley is Head of Research at the Economist Intelligence Unit and was formerly a law librarian. This is a basic quick reference tool for use in the UK and provides a guide to further sources of information.

Information insights: case studies in information management.
Sylvia Simmons, ed. Aslib, 2000. ISBN 0851424279 �37.50 softback

This volume brings together a series of interviews which first appeared in Managing Information, that have been revised and updated by the persons interviewed. The outcome is 29 fairly brief accounts of special, or workplace, libraries in the UK. It provides an overview of current practice in the UK which may be of particular interest to those from overseas, or who are considering entering this sector. Rather expensive for a paperback of 176 pages?

Text, culture and national identity in children's literature.
Jean Webb, ed. NORDINFO, 2000. ISBN 9525204065 no price softback

The proceedings of an International Seminar on Children's Literature: Pure and Applied held at University College Worcester in June 1999 which brought together specialists from the USA, Australia and Europe to discuss issues of common concern. The out come is a volume of papers which will stimulate the thinking of school and children's librarians, teachers and anyone with an interest in culture and reading. It contains some beautiful illustrations.

Change management in information services.
Lyndon Pugh. Gower, 2000. ISBN 0566082535 �45 hardback

Written by the Head of learning Resources at the University of Wales Institute Cardiff who argues that if you can't manage change itself, you can manage responses to it with different approaches, better people management, and shared management responsibilities. He provides an overview of change management and organisational theories, explores the strategies normally associated with them, and presents solutions to problems across the whole gamut of libraries. Case studies are included. A useful and readable introduction to change management.

The serials management handbook: a practical guide to print and electronic serials management.
Tony Kidd and Lyndsay Rees-Jones, eds. Library Association Publishing and the UK Serials Group, 2000. ISBN 185604355X �39.95

This is an essential title for all library services today as serials management has changed beyond recognition in recent years. The volume has been compiled in association with the UK Serials Group with the aim of providing an overview of best practice in a range of different aspects of serials management. It considers strategic and practical issues; problems and offers solutions. The contributors are notable specialists and include Jack Meadows, Albert Prior, Martin White and Hazel Woodward. A must-buy - it is well designed and offered at a good price!

The future of cataloging: insights from the Lubetsky Symposium.
Tschera Harkness Connell and Robert L. Maxwell, eds. American Library Association, 2000. ISBN 0838907784 US$65.00 (US$58.50 ALA members) softback

Generations of library schools students have learned about the work of Lubetsky. In 1998 a seminar was held at UCLA to mark his 100th birthday at which he presented a paper. To mark the event other leading luminaries prepared papers which consider the past, present and the future of cataloguing. His own paper sets the scene for the seminar and it is followed by an overview of his work prepared by Michael Gorman. This collection is important for cataloguers, but it also makes a significant contribution to the history of the profession.

The public library in Britain 1914-2000.
Alistair Black. British Library, 2000. ISBN 0712346856 �30.00 hardback

Alistair Black, a noted library historian, prepared this volume to mark the celebrations of 150 years of UK public libraries. He challenges the popular myth of the public library as an uncontroversial and uncomplicated part of British life. Its growth is charted through the 20th century showing how Victorian and Edwardian civic pride, and the public service ethos of the welfare state, helped to strengthen its standing and popularity with British people. Although libraries are seen as being a modern, progressive force for social growth and individual self-development, the tension between this role and the conservative controlling influence of much of the library movement is discussed. It is an appropriate theme when the UK government has social inclusion high on its agenda, yet libraries are still suspicious of mass and popular culture. A stimulating and informative volume clearly based on extensive research and a major contribution to library history. Essential reading for students, public librarians, and policy-makers in local and central government.

Library and information science annual. Volume 7.
Bohdan Wynar, ed. Libraries Unlimited, 2000. ISBN 1563087855 US$65.00 (US$78.00 outside North America) hardback

This is an essential reference tool for librarians and library educators. Compiled with the advice of an advisory board comprising many outstanding North American educators and professionals, it reviews the English language information and library science literature, focussing on important issues of the day. Preceding the review of the literature there are four essays:

• Knowledge Management Opportunities for Libraries and Universities by Martin Dillon
• The Congress on Graduate Professional Education: Issues, Process, and Recommendations by Ken Haycock (essential reading for educators around the globe)
• LIS Education: the New Dean's Perspective by Ann E. Prentice
• Academic Libraries and Academic Computing: Recent Trends in a Changing Environment by Paula Meise Strain and Ann E. Prentice.

Digital libraries.
William Y. Arms. MIT Press, 2000. ISBN 0262011808 �29.95

William Arms is Professor of Computer Science at Cornell and has a long-standing interest in research in the field of information science. He provides, in this text, an integrated overview of digital libraries, including its historical context, a survey of the state of the art and an examination of current research. An underlying theme is that no aspect of digital libraries can be understood in isolation, or without attention to the needs of people who create and use information. It covers a range of topics - technical, social, economic and organisational, but its focus remains the working components of the digital library. Excellent reading for practitioners across all sectors, and students.

From Gutenberg to the global information structure: access to information in the networked world.
Christine L. Borgman. MIT Press, 2000. ISBN 026202473X �27.95

This volume examines the emerging global information infrastructure and whether it will create a revolution in communications equal to that brought about by Gutenburg, or whether it will result in the evolutionary adaptation of existing behaviour and institutions to new media. It considers how computers and information systems can be made easier to use, and the trade-offs between tailoring information systems to user communities or standardisation. These issues and other questions concerning technology, behaviour and policy surrounding the global information infrastructure are discussed in a readable text. Essential reading for managers of information and library services, students, and practitioners wanting, and perhaps needing, to stretch their minds.

The whole library handbook 3: current data, professional advice, and curiosa about libraries and library services.
George M. Eberhart, comp. American Library Association, 2000. ISBN 0838907814 US $40.00 (US$36.00 ALA members) softback

This is a one volume encyclopaedia of library history, demographics, folklore, humour, current events and popular wisdom. The not so serious subjects covered include '50 things you can do with a library card', 'How to have fun with AACR2' and 'What you should do if served with a subpoena'. Amongst the more serious sections are 'Pleasing the editorial gods' 'The personal qualities of good managers' and 'Foundations, corporations and planned giving'. Clearly intended for a North American audience, many sections have a wider relevance and it is a good reference tool for facts and figures about that area of the globe. It has some nice touches of humour in the text and illustrations.

Reading the mind of the organization: connecting strategy with the psychology of business.
Annamaria Garden. Gower, 2000. ISBN 0566079984 �50.00 hardback

This is an interesting general management text that has application to information and library services for it not only provides a way to stand back and consider how to 'read' and organisation, but how to look at other organisations in a structured way. The claim is made that in applying the fundamental principles of psychology a range of issues concerning the organisation such as identity, image, strategy and work design can be presented in terms of one cohesive framework.

Change in Australian technology network libraries: a showcase of current professional practice.
John Frylinck, ed. University of South Australia Library for the Librarians of the Australian Technology Network, 2000. ISBN 0868036617 A$44.00 softback

The Librarians of the Australian Technology Network is an affiliation of five of the newer Australian University libraries, and this collection of papers is its first project to be completed. It consists of 11 papers covering: community service programmes; project management; implementing an access management system; increasing the employment prospects of library graduates; cataloguing in 2000; improving service accessibility; learning centres and libraries; document delivery; strategic planning and the use of library resources; library service evaluation, and performance management. It is a stimulating collection of papers. Australian university librarians lead the world in this sector of the profession, but rarely is their work widely disseminated overseas.

Systems analysis for librarians and information professionals. 2nd ed.
Larry N. Osborne and Margaret Nakamura. Libraries Unlimited, 2000. ISBN 156308693X US$45.00 (US$54.00 outside North America) softback

This is a beginner's text in systems analysis which describes the meaning, purposes and history and then outlines the steps in the process. It sensibly includes comment on the limitations of systems analysis, and the rationale for applying it in problem situations. A chapter has been added to this edition on object-oriented techniques, and additional idea-generating methods. Case studies and real-life examples help the reader to understand the subject. Very useful for students and managers whose career started after it came into the curriculum.

Guidelines for learning resource services in further and higher education: performance and resourcing.
Kathy Ennis, ed. Library Association Publishing, 2000. ISBN 1856042456 �15.95 softback

The Guideline are in their 6th edition and have been prepared by the Library Association's Colleges and Further Education Group. Sections cover: redesigning the academic library; defining the role of a learning resource centre; strategic management; a quality framework; promotion of the service; resourcing and a conclusion. Each section carries a list of useful references. There are 8 appendices and a bibliography. Whilst it is intended for use in the UK, the guidelines are likely to be of interest to librarians in other countries. The layout and design makes it a user-friendly reference and management tool.

Achieving cultural change in networked libraries.
Bruce Reid and William Foster, eds. Gower. ISBN 0566082004 �55.00

The first aim of this collection of papers is "to explore the human aspects of using electronically networked academic and research information, with the intention of identifying the pre-existing cultural dispositions which inhibit optimum interaction between users and such electronic resources. The further purpose is to offer, through chapters on the historical inheritance of institutional culture, technological change, qualitative case studies, and theories of communication, dissemination of innovation, and learning organisations, some approaches, concepts, models and tools which will facilitate cultural and organisational change in this area". Much of the text is based on research, and there is a good glossary. It will be useful reading for students, but perhaps more important will be guidance for managers who understand that the greatest barriers to technological change are cultural and human factors, and are seeking guidance.

JOURNAL ISSUES

In Formation

In Formation is the name of a magazine with the motto, "Every day, computers are making people easier to use". Visit the Web site at .

Journal of the American Society for Information Science
Volume 51, Number 9

This issue includes the following papers: "Rating News Documents for Similarity", by Carolyn Watters and Hong Wang; "The �Conduit Metaphor� and The Nature and Politics of Information Studies", by Ronald E. Day; "What Is Wrong with Obsolescence?" by Pedro Alvarez, Isabel Escalona, and Antonio Pulgarin; "Probability Distributions in Library and Information Science: A Historical and Practitioner Viewpoint", by Stephen J. Bensman; "When Information Retrieval Measures Agree About the Relative Quality of Document Ratings", by Robert M. Losee; "Shifts of Interactive Intentions and Information-Seeking Strategies in Interactive Information Retrieval", by Hong (Iris) Xie; "The Knowledge-Behavior Gap in Use of Health Information", by F.X. Sligo and Anna M. Jameson; "Discovering Knowledge from Noisy Databases Using Genetic Programming", by Man Leung Wong, Kwong Sak Leung, and Jack C.Y. Cheng

Subject Index to Literature on Electronic Sources of Information

The May edition of the Index is available at http://library.usask.ca/~dworacze/SUBJIN_A.HTM. The page-specific Subject Index to Literature on Electronic Sources of Information and the accompanying Electronic Sources of Information: A Bibliography (listing all indexed items) deal with all aspects of electronic publishing and include print and non-print materials, periodical articles, monographs and individual chapters in collected works. This edition includes 1239 titles. Both the Index and the Bibliography are continuously updated.

Back to the Books and Journals Index