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LIBRARY LINK ANNOUNCEMENTS (No.9)
updated 09/07/99


This listing has three parts. The first covers professional texts. The second notes two reference tools of interest to UK librarians. The third includes some new management textbooks of value as CPD for managers in the library and information sector.


Professional texts
Computerization of the Archivo General de Indias: strategies and results
Pedro Gonzalez. Council on Library Resources and the European Commission on Preservation and Access. ISBN 90-6984-241-6. No charge.

This is an important Spanish case study which records the experience of digitising more than 11 million pages of documents. The system has been in place for more than 5 years. It considers the day-to-day practical problems of operation, together with the long term issues such as obsolescence of hardware, software, and storage media, and the range of difficult decisions that managers have to face.


Information landscapes for a learning society: Networking and the future of libraries 3.
Edited by Sally Criddle, Lorcan Dempsey and Richard Heseltine. Library Association in association with the UK Office for Library and Information Networking, 1999. ISBN 1-85604-310-X. �39.95

This provides the papers presented at the third major international conference on Networking and the future of libraries held in July 1998 to which an impressive array of speakers came from Denmark, the UK and US. The papers focus on the strategic issues in the following areas - Information architectures: constructing the digital library; Information landscapes: the accommodation of knowledge; Information and the public sphere: an informed citizenry; Information exchanges: the library, the networks and the future. Archives, academic libraries, public libraries, information for the citizen are amongst the topics discussed. Excellent CPD for the isolated library or information professional - and it should be read by anyone involved in policy-making.


The management of information from archives. 2nd edition
Michael Cook. Gower, 1999. ISBN 0-566-07993-3. �55

Michael Cook is a leading archivist and educator who has written an authoritative text on the management of archives and records. He provides an historical overview and comes forward to the recent changes and approaches in the International Standard Archival Description and the International Standard Archives Authority Record. Useful for practitioners, students and for briefing the administrators who need to be up-to-date on policy issues.


Public relations for school library media programs
Helen F. Flowers. Neal-Schuman, 1999. ISBN 1-55570-3208. Paperback �27.95

The sub-title provides an accurate description of the content "500 ways to influence friends for your school library media center." It is written in a formal, easy style and provides many good suggestions for the various groups who have to be influenced - from the students and parents - to the administrators and legislators. Providing guidance on how to be interviewed and making speeches will provide confidence to the reader. Although designed for the US markets, many of the ideas can be translated into other settings.


Recreating the academic library: breaking virtual ground
Edited by Cheryl LaGuardia. Neal-Schuman, 1999. ISBN 1-55570-293-7. Paperback �47.95

The editor writes ".. despite the fact that there are no-clear cut answers Recreating the academic library takes on some of the compelling questions and problems facing academic libraries." She discusses the New Renaissance Librarian in a final section, wondering whether they will be generalists or specialists. There are five parts: An implicitly new paradigm; Information�s domain; In/Finite resources; Information providers and Information seekers. Richard DeGennaro contributes a foreword and notable US academic librarians, including Clifford Lynch, have written stimulating chapters. Sample titles are �Technostress in the bionic library� and �Is anyone at home? Remembering our in-library clients�. An interesting collection for academic librarians around the globe, students, educators and university administrators. Excellent for in-flight reading.


Safety at work? Library security and safety issues
Teri R. Switzer. Scarecrow Press, 1999. ISBN 0-8108-3623-8. US$39.50

This is an annotated bibliography on a range of issues of security and safety in libraries. It will be a useful reference tool for managers, particularly in the US. The volume covers an area of managerial concern in many parts of the world, and librarians outside the US can gain from drawing on North American experience. It could also provide students with ideas for assignments.


Staying legal: a guide to issues and practice for users and publishers of electronic resources.
Edited by C.J. Armstrong. Library Association, 1999. ISBN 1-85604-276-6. �49.95

The editor is probably best known for setting up the Centre for Information Quality Management in the UK. He has brought together a number of UK experts on various aspects of legal issues. They include, for example, John Lindsay on Open.gov.uk, Charles Oppenheim on Copyright and intellectual issues and Fred Radcliffe on Legal deposit - just a few examples. The topics discussed are wide and include universal access to information, information security management, criminal liability etc. Clearly written, it provides reference to the current UK legislation, guidance and further reading. Very useful for practitioners and students.


Reference tools
Degree course offers. 30th edition.
Compiled by Brian Heap. Trotman, 1999. ISBN 0-85660-435-6. �18.99

The two titles in this section have been included for UK librarians and information managers who may be asked for advice on which courses prospective undergraduate entrants to the profession should consider. There is a section on Librarianship/Library Studies (including information management/science/studies). For each course the points requirement is given - UCL and Sheffield ask for 24, and Manchester Metropolitan 8 and below. A brief description provides a note of the content of courses in general, with variations in the different universities. The top departments for teaching and for research are indicated, together with admissions information, gap advice and graduate destination - and of 365 surveyed 205 entered full-time employment, 39 further study and 65 were believed to be unemployed.


The NatWest Student Book 2000
Compiled by Klaus Boehm and Jenny Lees-Spalding. Trotman, 1999. ISBN 0-85660-434-8. �11.99

This is a companion volume to the one listed above which provides information about each UK college and university, including useful guidance about accommodation and other costs. Very practical and seems to be fairly accurate.


Management titles
The BrainSmart leader
Tony Buzan, Tony Dottino and Richard Israel. Gower, 1999. ISBN 0-566-07962-3. �29.50

A do-it-yourself leadership manual that starts with a quiz designed to identify the reader�s existing strengths and weaknesses. It explores the key elements of effective leadership with the use of studies of BrainSmart leaders, exercises, quizzes, Mind Maps and practical exercises. It promises a dramatic improvement in �your performance and that of your organization�. It could be an overstatement, but is a practical guide for an area that is of growing concern to managers today.


The effective strategist: key skills for all managers
John van Maurik. Gower, 1999. ISBN 0-566-08044-3. �25

With an increasing emphasis being placed on strategic thinking in the information and library world in response to rapid change, this volume provides a very practical, basic guide. It won�t tell you everything, but it is a useful and readable, starting point for new managers and middle management.


Ethics at work
Bob Kelley. Gower. 1999. ISBN 0-566-08150-4. �39.50

Written for business, the title also has value in the not-for-profit sector where the number of texts is limited. Society at large is more aware today of the questionable practices which are evident today - from those of large organisations, to the ethical ways of working with the community, employees, and suppliers. Written for the UK market it provides appendixes which cover relevant organizations, codes of ethical conduct and the Nolan standards on public life. A helpful review for senior managers to ensure that they, and their organisations, are operating in an ethical manner.


The excellent manager�s business library.
Philip Holden. Gower, 1999. ISBN 0-566-08105-9. �45

A useful means of keeping up to date with developments in business management. It covers 15 issues - including corporate strategy, customer orientation, change for empowerment etc. provides a short biography of the leading writer, summary of the book and some quotations, 5 lessons for managers, a glossary and a critical review. It includes references to related books and articles. A quick reference tool for managers and students.


How to measure customer satisfaction
Nigel Hill, John Brierley and Rob MacDougall. Gower, 1999. 0-566-08193-8. �25

Customer satisfaction is of importance to the library and information manager and the profession can draw upon the developments in customer satisfaction measurement, particularly the work carried out in the USA. The text provides a step-by-step guide to the professional methods used to generate reliable methods. It covers setting objectives and project planning, exploratory research, sampling, surveys, analysing the results, benchmarking the performance, feedback - and satisfaction, delight and loyalty. Clearly written it is also a well-designed volume. An instructive readable guide.


Patricia Layzell Ward
Library Link Convenor-in-chief
Updated 9 July 1999

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