BOOKS

Success at the enquiry desk. 3rd edition
Tim Owen. Library Association, London, 2000. ISBN 1-85604-4041. �13.50. Paperback.

The third edition of a text indicates that previous editions have been well received, and this is also likely to be a publishing success. The author has extensive experience of enquiry work and provides an excellent introduction for those new to enquiry work. It takes the reader through all stages of research from finding out what the enquirer really wants, to providing a polished, value-added answer (the latter phrase indicating his involvement in policy research!). It includes techniques for getting started, tips for efficient search strategies, how much information to select (vital for the less experienced), how to meet deadlines every time, how to choose between printed and electronic sources, and what to do when the answer can't be found. He provides a list of 25 multi-purpose reference sources, and how to get the best out of the www. A 'must-have for new entrants in any type of library or information service.

The intellectual foundation of information organization
Elaine Svenonius. MIT Press, Cambridge, MA, 2000. ISBN 0-262-19433-3. �24.50.

One of the Digital Libraries and Electronic Publishing Series, this volume provides guidance to developers of search engines and retrieval systems. It builds on the foundations of information science and librarianship of the past 150 years arguing that that the design of systems for organising information rests on an intellectual foundation which integrates the disparate disciplines of descriptive cataloguing, subject cataloguing, indexing and classification. It adopts a conceptual framework that views the process of organising information as the use of a special language of description called a bibliographic language. Divided into two parts, the first is an analytic discussion of the intellectual foundation of information and organisation. The second moves from the general to the particular, presenting an overview of three bibliographic languages: work languages, document languages and subject languages, considering the languages in terms of their vocabulary, semantics and syntax. A good updating for those who qualified in the past, and a sound introduction for newcomers.

Average prices of USA academic books January to June 2000
Library & Information Statistics Unit, Loughborough University, 2000. ISSN 0951 8975
Average prices of British academic books January to June 2000
ISSN 0261 0302. � 22.50 if ordered together. Paperback.

Data are supplied by Blackwell's Book Services and covers average prices for 64 subject categories and for 'all books' totals, for the most recent half year and preceding half year, and for the most recent full and preceding full year. The index base for prices is 1984/5, and trend tables are given for the seven major book categories together with a brief commentary on the changes.

For US titles the average price for 1999/2000 is virtually unchanged from the previous year's US $52.57. This is the lowest rate of increase since the series began. But for British titles the average is �44.18 for 1999/2000 which compares with �41.62 for 1998/9 - an increase of 6.1%.

A useful series for academic librarians outside the two countries surveyed, as well as US and British librarians in all types of libraries.

Public library materials fund and budget survey 1999-2001
Sally Maynard. Library & Information Statistics Unit, Loughborough University, 2000. ISBN 1 901786 32 3. �27.50 post paid in UK. Spiral bound.

Provides detailed information on recent spending outcomes, and budgets for 2000-2001. The data indicates that there was a decrease of 2.5% recorded in total materials expenditure, and 1999/2000 did not build on the previous year's increase (the first year that saw an increase over the previous year since 1994/5). In contrast expenditure on audio-visual materials continues to increase. Total Library expenditure rose by 2.8% in the UK as a whole, compared with a 2.6% increase in the Retail Price Index. Total staff numbers were reduced by 1.5%, the majority of which were non-professional staff. Total expenditure increased in line with general inflation, and was enough to keep pace with book prices, but not with periodical price increases. Fascinating reading especially since total expenditure showed an increase in the English authorities with the exception of the unitaries, but devolved government has resulted in a fall in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Planning document access: options and opportunities
Neil Jacobs, Anne Morris, Julie Woodfield and Eric Davies. Bowker-Saur, London, 2000. ISBN 1-85739-2698. �40.

Based on the outcomes of a research project named FIDDO, part of the British eLib investigations, it aims "to disseminate reliable and objective data to enable library and information managers to make informed decisions about the feasibility, selection and implementation of document delivery services within their own institutions". The volume is divided into four parts. The first deals with the context - document delivery, academic library management and the methods used in the study. The second part focuses on the researchers' contexts: the discipline; the local organisation, and the infrastructure and documents. The third part is concerned with the contexts of the library managers: administrative and budgetary. The fourth part moves to library management: FIDDO and library management; implications outside academic research; and the document access R & D agenda. There is a list of references and appendices which cover: document delivery suppliers; a research methodology tool-kit; a glossary and index of technical terms; and guidelines for library managers. The volume achieves its aims and will have a readership outside academic libraries and the UK.

Librarianship and information work worldwide 2000
Maurice Line, General Editor and Graham Mackenzie and Paul Sturges, editors. Bowker-Saur, London, 2000. ISBN 1-85739-263-9. �105.

At first sight �105 may seem to be expensive, but as a rewarding means of continuing professional development it costs less than attendance at a one-day seminar, and has a richness and international flavour. There are 10 chapters written by international experts drawn from seven countries. They cover: librarianship and information work in context; national libraries; academic libraries; public libraries; document access and supply; national information policy and planning; bibliographic control and access; knowledge management; management, and copyright. The citations generally cover the period 1997-1999. An excellent reference tool which usefully lists the contents of previous volumes, and as usual, has a good index. Highly recommended.

Developing information leaders: harnessing the talents of Generation X
Marisa Urgo. Bowker-Saur, London, 2000. ISBN 1-85739-253-1. �35.

An interesting title for managers of all information and library services, for the profession has paid limited attention to inter-generational change in either staff, or readers. Whilst the majority of writings originate on this topic, they have application in other parts of the world. The author writes of the skills and expectations that the Gen Xers bring into libraries. They joined the workforce when times were tough and this experience has shaped their attitude towards work as a lifestyle choice. Managers can no longer recruit and retain staff with strong loyalties that seek a job for life. Rather staff will want an exchange of skills for a good working environment and an opportunity to learn and grow. They bring new issues into library management, which are explored by Urgo, who also asks the Gen Xers about their experiences and how they see their future in the profession.

Stimulating, serious reading. Now will someone write about Gen Y?

Concise dictionary of library and information science. 2nd edition
Stella Keenan and Colin Johnstone. Bowker-Saur, London, 2000. ISBN 1-85739-251-5. �30.

The language of the profession changes rapidly and this is illustrated by nearly 2000 terms being added to the first edition which was published four years ago. The new edition lists around 4,500 words with the majority of the new entries being drawn from the computing and telecommunications field. Conventional and traditional library terms have not been included as these are covered elsewhere in other major dictionaries. The new edition is presented in one alphabetical sequence and the layout and design of pages has been improved making it easier to use. An essential desk book for librarians and information managers in all types of services, and a useful reference tool for baffled students.

FID Review

A special issue of the FID Review on Distance Education: Current Impact, Future Trends has just been released under the Guest Editorship of Professor Olugbemiro Jegede of the Open University of Hong Kong. It contains 28 peer-reviewed papers, including (among others):

• The Developing World and the Future of Open and Distance Education by Professor S.W. Tam of the Open University of Hong Kong
• A Look to the Future by Sir John Daniel, Vice Chancellor, Open University, UK
• The Notion of a "Classroom" and the necessary infrastructure to support Distance Education in the Future by Molly Corbett Broad, President, The University of North Carolina
• Distance Education: Current Impact, Future Trends - A View by Professor Gajaraj Dhanarajan, President and CEO, The Commonwealth of Learning, Canada
• Library and Information Science Distance Education in India: Problems and Prospects by Dr Jagtar Singh of Panjabi University
• Key Concepts in the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) Guidelines for Distance Learning Library Services by Harvey Gover and Jean Caspers, USA
• Quantum Mechanics, Relativity, and the Use of Technology in Open and Distance Learning by Olugbemiro Jegede, OU of Hong Kong
• Community Learning Networks: using Technology to enable lifelong learning by Stan Skrzeszewski, President of the Canadian Library Association
• What's New in the Education World? Developments in Online Learning by
• Paul Turnbull, Director, Ashridge Online, UK
• Distance Education in the Caribbean: past, present and future by Elizabeth Watson and Christine Marrett, University of the West Indies
• A Glimpse into the Future of Distance Education in Africa by Gbolagade Adekanmbi, University of Botswana
• Tertiary Distance Education in Sub-Saharan Africa: current status and future trends, by Judith M. Roberts and Joan Howard, Canada
• Can Teaching in a Virtual Classroom Enhance Real Learning? P. Taylor et al., Curtin University, Australia
• Building and Using Telepresence Classrooms by Sally Reynolds and Gee Cammaert, Catholic University of Leuven
• Online Class in Library Studies Links Native Communities by Amy Stout, Distance Learning Consultant, USA.

This is a web journal on information issues published in Quebec and edited by Pierre Blouin and Roger Charland. The Spring-Summer 2000 issue is out, at http://www.microtec.net/charro/HERMES6/titre.htm. Most of the articles in Hermes are in French, but three of the articles in this issue are in English: William Birdsall�s "A Political Economy of Librarianship?", Timothy W. Luke�s "MegaMetaphorics: Re-Reading Globalization, Sustainability, and Virtualization as Rhetorics of World Politics" and "Anti-Negroponte: Thinking about Cybernetic Subjectivity in Digital Being and Time".

The Summer 2000 issue of this journal is now available. A subscription costs �5 a year for individuals and �15 for institutions. Details: http:libr.org/ISC/TOC.html. The current issue contains a number of papers on combating racism, diversity etc, book reviews, a checklist for eliminating social exclusion, and working papers from the Public Library Policy and Exclusion Project. This is essential reading for managers in all types of libraries and very good value for money.

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