Book reviews
2
© Blackwell Science Ltd 2002 Health Information and Libraries Journal , 19 , pp.185 –186 185 Blackwell Science, Ltd Book reviews The theme of libraries without walls is reflected in a number of recent publications from Facet Publishing which, as the publishing wing of CILIP, has replaced the former Library Associa- tion Publishing. While none of the books in the following short notices are specific to health-care library practice, the issues discussed are in many respects generic and equally relevant in any subject field to those responsible for managing and developing virtual library and information services to a dispersed community of users. Libraries Without Walls 4: the delivery of library services to distant users. Proceedings of an international conference held on 14–17 September 2001 P. Brophy, S. Fisher, Z. Clark (ed.). London: Facet Publishing, 2002. ISBN 1-85604-436-X. 320 pp £39.95 (£31.96 to CILIP members). The proceedings of the fourth conference in the ‘Libraries Without Walls’ series, held in Greece and organized by the Centre for Research in Library and Information Management (CERLIM) at Manchester Metropolitan University, follow the same pattern as earlier volumes. While 15 of the 24 papers, grouped under seven theme headings, have UK authors, the remaining nine originate from six different countries. The emphasis is heavily on library support for distance learners in higher education, but while some contributions are largely theoretical and others are based firmly on service initiatives, they together provide a helpful review of strategic and practical issues confronting any library serving distant users. Attracting, educating, and serving remote users through the web: a how-to-do it manual for librarians D. Curtis (ed.). Companion website for UK and European users prepared by I. Winship. London: Facet Publishing, 2002. ISBN 1-85604-461-0. 278 pp £34.95 (£27.96 to CILIP members). This book provides a novel approach to its subject. It originated from the planning process for a new library at the University of Nevada, Reno, and the recognition that many users were now, from choice, accessing information resources remotely where possible via the web, with fundamental consequences for the design and management of library services. The 10 contributors have built on this experience to provide a methodical guide through the process of identifying, training, and serving the library’s client community. While its origins give the book an inevitable US flavour, there is a valuable and innovative additional resource for UK and European readers in the form of a companion website maintained by Ian Winship. Digital futures: strategies for the information age M. Deegan & S. Tanner. London: Facet Publishing, 2002. ISBN 1-85604-411-4. 288 pp £39.95 (£31.96 to CILIP members). The authors, based, respectively, at Oxford University and in the Higher Education Digitization Service (HEDS) at the University of Hertfordshire, are expertly qualified to review this field. Their book focuses, not on the user, but on the electronic information resource that is fundamental to digital library development. In particular it examines the questions of strategy arising from those technical aspects, including digitization programmes, digital collection development, and digital preservation, that will be encountered when a digital service is being built. It will be most appreciated by those grappling with the subject for the first time—librarians, finance managers, and institutional chief executives—who require an authoritative introduction, rather than by experienced practitioners.
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Transcript of Book reviews
© Blackwell Science Ltd 2002
Health Information and Libraries Journal
,
19
, pp.185–186
185
Blackwell Science, Ltd
Book reviews
The theme of libraries without walls is reflectedin a number of recent publications from FacetPublishing which, as the publishing wing ofCILIP, has replaced the former Library Associa-tion Publishing. While none of the books in thefollowing short notices are specific to health-carelibrary practice, the issues discussed are in manyrespects generic and equally relevant in anysubject field to those responsible for managing anddeveloping virtual library and information servicesto a dispersed community of users.
Libraries Without Walls 4: the delivery of library services to distant users. Proceedings of an international conference held on 14–17 September 2001
P. Brophy, S. Fisher, Z. Clark (ed.). London: Facet Publishing, 2002. ISBN 1-85604-436-X. 320 pp £39.95 (£31.96 to CILIP members).
The proceedings of the fourth conference in the‘Libraries Without Walls’ series, held in Greeceand organized by the Centre for Research inLibrary and Information Management (CERLIM)at Manchester Metropolitan University, followthe same pattern as earlier volumes. While 15 ofthe 24 papers, grouped under seven theme headings,have UK authors, the remaining nine originatefrom six different countries. The emphasis isheavily on library support for distance learnersin higher education, but while some contributionsare largely theoretical and others are basedfirmly on service initiatives, they together providea helpful review of strategic and practical issuesconfronting any library serving distant users.
Attracting, educating, and serving remote users through the web: a how-to-do it manual for librarians
D. Curtis (ed.). Companion website for UK and European users prepared by I. Winship. London:
Facet Publishing, 2002. ISBN 1-85604-461-0. 278 pp £34.95 (£27.96 to CILIP members).
This book provides a novel approach to its subject.It originated from the planning process for a newlibrary at the University of Nevada, Reno, andthe recognition that many users were now, fromchoice, accessing information resources remotelywhere possible via the web, with fundamentalconsequences for the design and managementof library services. The 10 contributors have builton this experience to provide a methodical guidethrough the process of identifying, training, andserving the library’s client community. While itsorigins give the book an inevitable US flavour,there is a valuable and innovative additional resourcefor UK and European readers in the form of acompanion website maintained by Ian Winship.
Digital futures: strategies for the information age
M. Deegan & S. Tanner. London: Facet Publishing, 2002. ISBN 1-85604-411-4. 288 pp £39.95 (£31.96 to CILIP members).
The authors, based, respectively, at OxfordUniversity and in the Higher EducationDigitization Service (HEDS) at the Universityof Hertfordshire, are expertly qualified to reviewthis field. Their book focuses, not on the user,but on the electronic information resource that isfundamental to digital library development. Inparticular it examines the questions of strategyarising from those technical aspects, includingdigitization programmes, digital collectiondevelopment, and digital preservation, that will beencountered when a digital service is being built. Itwill be most appreciated by those grappling withthe subject for the first time—librarians, financemanagers, and institutional chief executives—whorequire an authoritative introduction, rather thanby experienced practitioners.
HLR_399.fm Page 185 Tuesday, September 3, 2002 9:27 AM
Book Reviews
© Blackwell Science Ltd 2002
Health Information and Libraries Journal
,
19
, pp.185–186
186
Building an electronic resource collection: a practical guide
S.D. Lee. London: Facet Publishing, 2002. ISBN 1-85604-422-X. 160 pp £24.95 (£19.96 to CILIP members).
Collection development, one aspect of Deeganand Tanner’s book, is considered in much greaterdepth here. The author, who is head of theLearning Technology Group at OxfordUniversity’s Computing Services, has provided aremarkably detailed, step-by-step guide that leadsthe librarian methodically and logically throughthe essential selection, evaluation, acquisition,
installation, delivery and support processes. Eventhose who are not yet directly involved in buildingan electronic collection will find something ofvalue here, since many of the decision-makingprocesses are applicable, in part or completely, tothe acquisition of more traditional print resources.For those who are directly involved in electroniccollection development, this book’s ability tomake sense of a potentially daunting task willmake it a godsend.
Peter Morgan
Cambridge University Medical LibraryAddenbrooke’s Hospital
Cambridge
HLR_399.fm Page 186 Tuesday, September 3, 2002 9:27 AM
