- Email: [email protected]
Guidelines for book reviews
Guidelines
for Book Reviews
GENERAL OVERVIEW-Our audience expects IAL book reviews to be based on a thorough, careful reading, and on informed judgment. There can be no single model for all reviews, but an ideal review should include the essential elements in a statement that reflects both the reviewer’s way of thinking and the character of the book. The following guidelines are offered to help our reviewers and to inform our readers about editorial policy. BASIC REQUIREMENTS--JAL book reviews should be addressed to library professionals-those interested in keeping abreast of the literature and/or involved in book selection. Within 250-300 (2 double-spaced pages), unless the editors authorize a longer review, the reviewer should provide a brief description of the contents or statement of the thesis, critically appraise both the substance and execution, indicate the book’s value for a collection, and make a personal recommendation. The reviewer’s full name, affiliation, review. In addition to the paper copy, either a disk ([email protected])
or (ZLATOS@WSUVMl
and mailing and e-mail addresses should appear following the (in WordPerfect 5.1, 6.0, or 6.1) or an electronic submission
.CSC.WSU.EDU)
would be appreciated.
Reviews should be written within 2-4 weeks after receipt of the book. If reviewers do not receive the book shortly after having agreed to review it, they should contact either Book Review Editor. POINTS TO REMEMBER-Because library budgets are tight, the review should compare the new title with one or two alternatives. If little else is available on the topic, that should also be noted. The importance of the topic itself and the level of topical treatment should be noted, if it is not self-evident. If the book makes a significant contribution to the professional literature, that should be clearly noted. Objectivity is essential. Note any bias in an essentially non-polemical work, but resist becoming embroiled in parochial academic debate. ACCURACY-Pay special attention to accuracy in the reviews. Quoted passages should be checked against the text; names and dates should be verified; in reference to other authors and titles, give the author’s name in full and the title exactly, as well as the publisher and date. Statements made about the book (e.g., that it is full of errors) should be supported by examples. We expect reviewers to check the “facts” from the publisher’s blurb or the book jacket (e.g., that it is “the most comprehensive to date”) before using them. EDITORIAL
POLICY-When
necessary, reviews are condensed or reorganized and editorial changes are made to conform to
house style, but the reviewer’s essential opinion is preserved. We do reserve the right to reject a review, if necessary. We ask that our contributors not review for any other publication the book they review for IAL. Reviewers should not send copies of reviews to publishers or authors. FORMAT-The of publication;
book’s citation should appear in the format shown below, including full name of the work; author/editor; city publisher and year; pagination; price; and ISBN, ISSN (if available), and LC numbers. Please double-space
citations.
Into the Future: The Foundations Information
Era, by Michael Norwood,
of library
and
Services in the Post-industrial H. Harris and Stan A. Hannah.
NJ: Ablex, 1993.
IS&N I-56750-01
182~. $39.50.
503.
OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE AS A REVIEWER-Anyone interested in serving as a book reviewer should send a letter of intent, a sample of his/her writing, and areas of interest to Christy Zlatos, Washington State University, Holland Library, Pullman, WA 99164-5610.
140
The Journal
of Academic
Librarianship
for Book Reviews
GENERAL OVERVIEW-Our audience expects IAL book reviews to be based on a thorough, careful reading, and on informed judgment. There can be no single model for all reviews, but an ideal review should include the essential elements in a statement that reflects both the reviewer’s way of thinking and the character of the book. The following guidelines are offered to help our reviewers and to inform our readers about editorial policy. BASIC REQUIREMENTS--JAL book reviews should be addressed to library professionals-those interested in keeping abreast of the literature and/or involved in book selection. Within 250-300 (2 double-spaced pages), unless the editors authorize a longer review, the reviewer should provide a brief description of the contents or statement of the thesis, critically appraise both the substance and execution, indicate the book’s value for a collection, and make a personal recommendation. The reviewer’s full name, affiliation, review. In addition to the paper copy, either a disk ([email protected])
or (ZLATOS@WSUVMl
and mailing and e-mail addresses should appear following the (in WordPerfect 5.1, 6.0, or 6.1) or an electronic submission
.CSC.WSU.EDU)
would be appreciated.
Reviews should be written within 2-4 weeks after receipt of the book. If reviewers do not receive the book shortly after having agreed to review it, they should contact either Book Review Editor. POINTS TO REMEMBER-Because library budgets are tight, the review should compare the new title with one or two alternatives. If little else is available on the topic, that should also be noted. The importance of the topic itself and the level of topical treatment should be noted, if it is not self-evident. If the book makes a significant contribution to the professional literature, that should be clearly noted. Objectivity is essential. Note any bias in an essentially non-polemical work, but resist becoming embroiled in parochial academic debate. ACCURACY-Pay special attention to accuracy in the reviews. Quoted passages should be checked against the text; names and dates should be verified; in reference to other authors and titles, give the author’s name in full and the title exactly, as well as the publisher and date. Statements made about the book (e.g., that it is full of errors) should be supported by examples. We expect reviewers to check the “facts” from the publisher’s blurb or the book jacket (e.g., that it is “the most comprehensive to date”) before using them. EDITORIAL
POLICY-When
necessary, reviews are condensed or reorganized and editorial changes are made to conform to
house style, but the reviewer’s essential opinion is preserved. We do reserve the right to reject a review, if necessary. We ask that our contributors not review for any other publication the book they review for IAL. Reviewers should not send copies of reviews to publishers or authors. FORMAT-The of publication;
book’s citation should appear in the format shown below, including full name of the work; author/editor; city publisher and year; pagination; price; and ISBN, ISSN (if available), and LC numbers. Please double-space
citations.
Into the Future: The Foundations Information
Era, by Michael Norwood,
of library
and
Services in the Post-industrial H. Harris and Stan A. Hannah.
NJ: Ablex, 1993.
IS&N I-56750-01
182~. $39.50.
503.
OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE AS A REVIEWER-Anyone interested in serving as a book reviewer should send a letter of intent, a sample of his/her writing, and areas of interest to Christy Zlatos, Washington State University, Holland Library, Pullman, WA 99164-5610.
140
The Journal
of Academic
Librarianship