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Reference services in archives
Reviews
117
Reference Services in Archives
Edited by Lucille Whalen New York: The Haworth Press, Inc., 1985,210 pages, $34.95 (cloth), $24.95 (paper) ISBN O-86656-521-3(cloth), O-86656-522-1(paper). LC 85-017534.
Reviewed by Robert John-Lazy
Robert Johnson-Lally is Assistant Archivist, Wessell Library, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02155.
Designed as a “step toward a more comprehensive treatment of the reference process in archives” (p. 8), this volume brings together sixteen essays dealing with various aspects of reference in archival and manuscript repositories. The intended audience is librarians unfamiliar with reference in archives and archivists who wish to know more about the reference functions of their profession. The authors touch upon a number of themes, both major and minor, in discussing the reference process in their respective institutions. Almost all would agree that the type of reference rendered depends upon the nature of the repository, the nature of research being conducted, and the rules governing access to the collections in their care. Several of the essays mention the experience of the patron, his or her familiarity with original research, and the quality of finding aids as cont~buting factors, of greater or lesser importance, to the reference process. Apart from these broad themes the contributors to this volume discuss certain variations which apply to their own repositories. For instance, in some corporate archives and repositories with large constituencies of administrators, reference service may consist of actual research by the staff and culminate in a full report to the enquirer. In repositories holding contemporary records, access becomes a real problem, sometimes leading to bitterness on the part of a researcher who is denied access. Archival reference, particularly in newer institutions, can ensure visibility and help establish an image for the archives. Religious archives have to deal not only with administrative records, but also with the documentation of such elusive concepts as faith and belief. These things alone make the book wo~hwhile, but the authors provide more than just a discussion of reference. Most include short descriptions of their collections and histories of the institutions they serve; some even discuss recent trends in historical research. Collecting these essays into a single volume makes a significant contribution to the field of archival literature. While the volume is not comprehensive it includes enough variety to provide a sampier of reference services offered by the archival profession. Although the book is not intended for government info~ation specialists, they should find something of interest (one essay deals with the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library). All of the articles are well-written, thoughtful pieces which will provide much information to librarians, archivists, and potential archival researchers.
118
GOVERNMENT
INFORMATION
QUARTERLY
Vol. ~/NO. l/1987
Readers who receive the journal The Reference Librarian will note that Reference Services in Archives is also published as the Fall 1985/Winter 1985-86 issue of that journal.
State Legislative Sourcebook 1986: A Resource Guide to Legislative Information in the Fifty States by Lynn Hellebust Topeka, Kansas: Government Research Service, 1985,465 pages, $95.00 ISBN O-96 15227-O-4. OC 86-33097.
Reviewed by Sarah Holterhoff
Sarah Holterhoff is Documents Librarian Library, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383.
at the Valparaiso
University
School of Law
This book is designed for popular use as a guide through the bewildering maze of information from and about the fifty U.S. state legislatures. The disparities and idiosyncrasies of these bodies can stymie the cleverest and most persistent of researchers. Demand for state legislative material has increased proportionately with the growing size and professionalism of state government and with the increasing impact of state law on business, academia, and the general public. This new tool offers users help in identifying and obtaining information for a particular state, both legislative documents and secondary sources that explain and analyze the legislature. The author imposes some order on the diverse systems of state lawmaking by using a uniform format to present the information. The section for each state begins with a brief description of its legislative organization and procedure. Following that, other features include: best initial contact, legislative leadership and committees, data on individual legislators, bill status, and sources for bills and journals. Especially helpful are sections on interim study committees and their recommendations, and the names of a daily newspaper in each state which fully covers the state legislature. Several features are particularly directed at lobbyists, such as financial information on legislators, campaign contributions, and directories of lobbyists. Resources to which users are referred include offices or agencies (both public and private), printed materials, and online databases. The emphasis is on what exists, how to obtain it and the probable cost. The set format which is used works better for states with many sources; it becomes somewhat repetitious when some items are fully cited under several headings. Appendices A and B list sources for bill status and copies of bills, taken from the state sections. Appendix C is a lengthy bibliographical guide to lobbying state legislatures.
117
Reference Services in Archives
Edited by Lucille Whalen New York: The Haworth Press, Inc., 1985,210 pages, $34.95 (cloth), $24.95 (paper) ISBN O-86656-521-3(cloth), O-86656-522-1(paper). LC 85-017534.
Reviewed by Robert John-Lazy
Robert Johnson-Lally is Assistant Archivist, Wessell Library, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02155.
Designed as a “step toward a more comprehensive treatment of the reference process in archives” (p. 8), this volume brings together sixteen essays dealing with various aspects of reference in archival and manuscript repositories. The intended audience is librarians unfamiliar with reference in archives and archivists who wish to know more about the reference functions of their profession. The authors touch upon a number of themes, both major and minor, in discussing the reference process in their respective institutions. Almost all would agree that the type of reference rendered depends upon the nature of the repository, the nature of research being conducted, and the rules governing access to the collections in their care. Several of the essays mention the experience of the patron, his or her familiarity with original research, and the quality of finding aids as cont~buting factors, of greater or lesser importance, to the reference process. Apart from these broad themes the contributors to this volume discuss certain variations which apply to their own repositories. For instance, in some corporate archives and repositories with large constituencies of administrators, reference service may consist of actual research by the staff and culminate in a full report to the enquirer. In repositories holding contemporary records, access becomes a real problem, sometimes leading to bitterness on the part of a researcher who is denied access. Archival reference, particularly in newer institutions, can ensure visibility and help establish an image for the archives. Religious archives have to deal not only with administrative records, but also with the documentation of such elusive concepts as faith and belief. These things alone make the book wo~hwhile, but the authors provide more than just a discussion of reference. Most include short descriptions of their collections and histories of the institutions they serve; some even discuss recent trends in historical research. Collecting these essays into a single volume makes a significant contribution to the field of archival literature. While the volume is not comprehensive it includes enough variety to provide a sampier of reference services offered by the archival profession. Although the book is not intended for government info~ation specialists, they should find something of interest (one essay deals with the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library). All of the articles are well-written, thoughtful pieces which will provide much information to librarians, archivists, and potential archival researchers.
118
GOVERNMENT
INFORMATION
QUARTERLY
Vol. ~/NO. l/1987
Readers who receive the journal The Reference Librarian will note that Reference Services in Archives is also published as the Fall 1985/Winter 1985-86 issue of that journal.
State Legislative Sourcebook 1986: A Resource Guide to Legislative Information in the Fifty States by Lynn Hellebust Topeka, Kansas: Government Research Service, 1985,465 pages, $95.00 ISBN O-96 15227-O-4. OC 86-33097.
Reviewed by Sarah Holterhoff
Sarah Holterhoff is Documents Librarian Library, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383.
at the Valparaiso
University
School of Law
This book is designed for popular use as a guide through the bewildering maze of information from and about the fifty U.S. state legislatures. The disparities and idiosyncrasies of these bodies can stymie the cleverest and most persistent of researchers. Demand for state legislative material has increased proportionately with the growing size and professionalism of state government and with the increasing impact of state law on business, academia, and the general public. This new tool offers users help in identifying and obtaining information for a particular state, both legislative documents and secondary sources that explain and analyze the legislature. The author imposes some order on the diverse systems of state lawmaking by using a uniform format to present the information. The section for each state begins with a brief description of its legislative organization and procedure. Following that, other features include: best initial contact, legislative leadership and committees, data on individual legislators, bill status, and sources for bills and journals. Especially helpful are sections on interim study committees and their recommendations, and the names of a daily newspaper in each state which fully covers the state legislature. Several features are particularly directed at lobbyists, such as financial information on legislators, campaign contributions, and directories of lobbyists. Resources to which users are referred include offices or agencies (both public and private), printed materials, and online databases. The emphasis is on what exists, how to obtain it and the probable cost. The set format which is used works better for states with many sources; it becomes somewhat repetitious when some items are fully cited under several headings. Appendices A and B list sources for bill status and copies of bills, taken from the state sections. Appendix C is a lengthy bibliographical guide to lobbying state legislatures.