Benchmarking
Sylvia Codling.
Gower, 1998. ISBN 0 566 07926 7. �25. Paperback.

Written by the Director of The Benchmarking Centre Ltd which provides consultancy training and research to organisations in the UK and overseas, the text describes benchmarking and the benefits for managers and organisations. Benchmarking is about understanding what we have to be best at, and then making an open and honest comparison with those that excel in those areas. The knowledge gained is managed in order to achieve or secure competitive advantage. Although a general management text it would be helpful in a library or information setting.

With many library and information centres having a publishing programme, this practical text will help to make the process cost-effective. It covers amongst other topics: defining your niche, protecting assets, the editorial process, production, sales, subsidiary rights, marketing and accounting. Very readable and informative.

This is the latest edition of what was first published as Online searching: principles and practice in 1960, and heavily used by practitioners and students for nearly 40 years. The latest edition notes the transitory nature of the technology and so stresses the principles and exemplifies them with real examples taken from a variety of platforms. A general overview is followed by information-seeking behaviour, an overview of access to electronic information resources, language and information retrieval, information organisation, searching, browsing, interfaces and search evaluation. It has many illustrations. It is a 'must buy' for every service - and for many practitioners for whom it will be a tax deduction! And if students buy only one textbook, then it should be this one.

Presents a systematic approach to quality management and information technology in the library and warns against the 'muddling through' syndrome. Discusses strategic planning and IT and has a step-by-step self-assessment guide for managers in an appendix (which is in English). Very useful, and probably should be translated into English.

This is the standard text for practitioners and students which sets out the provisions of the UK Copyright Act and supporting legislation in an easy to consult question and answer form. It covers definitions and the law; ownership; licensing; literary, dramatic, musical artistic works; sound recordings, films and videos, broadcasts; databases and electronic materials. It includes useful addresses and further sources of information. Another 'must buy' for all services.

The author notes that staff development budgets are often the first to suffer at times of financial constraint. This volume provides some practical solutions based on work-based learning methods self-development and in-house resources, which is a means of focussing learning on the needs of the individuals. It is divided into three parts: practical strategies; 101 methods of work-based learning; and a guide to resources currently available. Easy to read and well designed.

The authors have worked with more than 2000 teams in some 40 countries and have identified 7 factors that distinguish what they call 'dream teams'. From this they have developed a structured approach which is described in the handbook. They emphasise the role of leadership in stimulating creativity and innovation, and how to inject new dynamism into exiting structures and practices. Could be a helpful text for a number of large library systems.

The text is based on the premise that learning must be integrated with the strategic direction of the organisation. The new edition updates and expands material on the importance of the self-managed learning approach to create focused, active and committed employees. It includes case material including the use of online groups on the Internet.

The author focuses particularly on users' behaviour in the library, the problems they encounter or cause, and how libraries cope. The impact of IT pervades the text. The influences on today's academic library are discussed and how user satisfaction can be increased through quality management. Chapters include: quality and the user, users, students, subject communities, researchers, user education, publicity and promotion and the future.

Patricia Layzell Ward
Library Link Convenor-in-chief
22 February 1999

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