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Academic library use of NTIS: Suggestions for services and core collection
Reviews
G/Q considers for review reference works (e.g., indexes, abstracts, guides, other finding aids for offtcial publications, bibliographies, and directories), important microform sets, and professional literature pertaining to government information. Reviews do not exceed 250 words, without prior permission from the Reviews Editor. The views expressed are those of the reviewers and do not necessarily reflect those of the Editorial Board or the publisher. Standard directories supply publishers’ addresses. Persons wishing to write reviews or to suggest titles are invited to contact me at the Wessell Library, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02 155. Publishers likewise are requested to forward announcements of new and forthcoming titles which may interest our readers. DavidC. He&r
Academic Library Use of NTIS: Suggestions for Services and Core Collection Prepared by Charles R. McClure and Peter Hemon Springfield, VA: National Technical Information Service, 1986,60 pages, $15.00 PB86-22887 1. ISBN O-9342 13-04-06. Reviewed by Sandra McAnincb Sandra McAninch is Head, Government Publications/Maps Department, University of Kentucky Libraries, Lexington, Kentucky 40506-0039. The bulk of this volume consists of a rather extensive bibliography of National Technical Information Service (NTIS) publications: the core collection mentioned in the subtitle. The essay on possible services that might be offered by academic libraries takes up only the first twelve pages. McClure and Hemon provide examples of many of the forms mentioned in their narrative and have provided two indexes to the core collection: title and report number. They have also included an appendix describing how to search for NTIS records in the OCLC EASI-Reference database on BRS. It would have been helpful to include some searching tips for the actual OCLC system as well, because many general reference areas make heavy use of that system for bibliographic verification of incomplete citations. Govemment Information Quarterly, Volume 4, Number 4, pages 399-416. Copyright @ 1987 by JAI Press, Inc. All rights of reproduction in any fom reserved. ISSN: 0740-624X.
400
GOVERNMENT
INFORMATION
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Vol. ~/NO. 411987
In their essay on how to promote the use of NTIS materials, the authors make a very strong case for the usefulness of such materials in an academic environment. However, their actual suggestions for specific promotional activities reveal nothing new to the professional librarian who has already been involved with promoting library services and collections in an academic environment. What the essay does do is remind us that NTIS publications should be integrated into the existing promotional and instructional programs that most of us already have in place. It also provides an excellent overview of the various NTIS-produced promotional and collection development aids, e.g., their slide presentation and the SRIM (Selected Research in Microfiche) service. Part II, the core collection, includes a brief introduction and a table of contents, as well as the two indexes. It is organized by the category codes used in the NTIS Bibliographic Database, and each category is divided into reference and nonreference titles. The entries are annotated and include various ordering and cataloging numbers, e.g., GPO item number, OCLC record number, price, NTIS order number. However, neither the SuDocs number nor a Monthly C’urulog entry number is included. These would have been very helpful for librarians who would like to check the core collection against their depository collections. The titles included in the core collection are well chosen, particularly in the reference sections. For some categories, e.g., Mining Engineering, the nonreference sections could have been more extensive. Perhaps NTIS could ask institutions that subscribe to everything in a certain category to make annual recommendations for additions to the nonreference core based on their use of that category. The introduction to the Number Index is inaccurate and seems to be simply a repeat of the introduction to the Title Index. As a whole, the volume is a valuable and practical addition to the literature on U.S. Federal government information. It should be required reading for all new public service personnel in both academic and public libraries. Because the narrative is clear, concise, and brief, it would also make a good teaching tool for a course in using government information or general reference. It is also a valuable guide for those libraries who would like to develop a basic collection of technical reports and government research reference materials.
G/Q considers for review reference works (e.g., indexes, abstracts, guides, other finding aids for offtcial publications, bibliographies, and directories), important microform sets, and professional literature pertaining to government information. Reviews do not exceed 250 words, without prior permission from the Reviews Editor. The views expressed are those of the reviewers and do not necessarily reflect those of the Editorial Board or the publisher. Standard directories supply publishers’ addresses. Persons wishing to write reviews or to suggest titles are invited to contact me at the Wessell Library, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02 155. Publishers likewise are requested to forward announcements of new and forthcoming titles which may interest our readers. DavidC. He&r
Academic Library Use of NTIS: Suggestions for Services and Core Collection Prepared by Charles R. McClure and Peter Hemon Springfield, VA: National Technical Information Service, 1986,60 pages, $15.00 PB86-22887 1. ISBN O-9342 13-04-06. Reviewed by Sandra McAnincb Sandra McAninch is Head, Government Publications/Maps Department, University of Kentucky Libraries, Lexington, Kentucky 40506-0039. The bulk of this volume consists of a rather extensive bibliography of National Technical Information Service (NTIS) publications: the core collection mentioned in the subtitle. The essay on possible services that might be offered by academic libraries takes up only the first twelve pages. McClure and Hemon provide examples of many of the forms mentioned in their narrative and have provided two indexes to the core collection: title and report number. They have also included an appendix describing how to search for NTIS records in the OCLC EASI-Reference database on BRS. It would have been helpful to include some searching tips for the actual OCLC system as well, because many general reference areas make heavy use of that system for bibliographic verification of incomplete citations. Govemment Information Quarterly, Volume 4, Number 4, pages 399-416. Copyright @ 1987 by JAI Press, Inc. All rights of reproduction in any fom reserved. ISSN: 0740-624X.
400
GOVERNMENT
INFORMATION
QUARTERLY
Vol. ~/NO. 411987
In their essay on how to promote the use of NTIS materials, the authors make a very strong case for the usefulness of such materials in an academic environment. However, their actual suggestions for specific promotional activities reveal nothing new to the professional librarian who has already been involved with promoting library services and collections in an academic environment. What the essay does do is remind us that NTIS publications should be integrated into the existing promotional and instructional programs that most of us already have in place. It also provides an excellent overview of the various NTIS-produced promotional and collection development aids, e.g., their slide presentation and the SRIM (Selected Research in Microfiche) service. Part II, the core collection, includes a brief introduction and a table of contents, as well as the two indexes. It is organized by the category codes used in the NTIS Bibliographic Database, and each category is divided into reference and nonreference titles. The entries are annotated and include various ordering and cataloging numbers, e.g., GPO item number, OCLC record number, price, NTIS order number. However, neither the SuDocs number nor a Monthly C’urulog entry number is included. These would have been very helpful for librarians who would like to check the core collection against their depository collections. The titles included in the core collection are well chosen, particularly in the reference sections. For some categories, e.g., Mining Engineering, the nonreference sections could have been more extensive. Perhaps NTIS could ask institutions that subscribe to everything in a certain category to make annual recommendations for additions to the nonreference core based on their use of that category. The introduction to the Number Index is inaccurate and seems to be simply a repeat of the introduction to the Title Index. As a whole, the volume is a valuable and practical addition to the literature on U.S. Federal government information. It should be required reading for all new public service personnel in both academic and public libraries. Because the narrative is clear, concise, and brief, it would also make a good teaching tool for a course in using government information or general reference. It is also a valuable guide for those libraries who would like to develop a basic collection of technical reports and government research reference materials.