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The information environment: A reader
Librarianship Aftorthe Electronk Revolution, Will You Be the First to Go?: Proceedinas of the 1992 AssociationforLibran/Coll&ions&TechnicaiServicesPresident’sProgram29June 1992, American Library Association Annual Conference, San Francisco, CA, ed. by Arnold Hirshon. Chicago: ALA, 1993. 62~. $18: S 16.20 to ALA members (paper) ISBN 08389-7-6. Perm. paper. W The premise of the program represented by these proceedings is that the electronic revolution is a paradigm shift, in which librarianship‘s past success is irrelevant to its future. The speakers not only consider new roles for libraries and librarians, but urge librarians to take an activepartin creating the new world of electronic communication. Hirshon’s introductory paper explores the merging of dissemination of information and access to such information, and the blurring ofseveralothertraditionallydistinctprocesses. The forthright keynote paper of Ted Nelson stresses the importance of understanding change and adapting to it, then envisions a future in which users will purchase electronic documents in small units. Peter Graham focuses on preservation of electronic media and, particularly, the intellectual content. Susan Martin encourages librarians to catch up with technology and help to mold the new information environment. Thomas Duncan, presenting the user‘s perspective, explores changesin conductingresearch andthescholars’ new responsibility for building a “basic information technology infrastructure for the electronicacademy.“As Hirshon writes in the preface, these brief proceedings challenge librarians to be electronic revolutionaries.Eds.
Feminist Thought In American Ubrarlanship, by Christina D. Baum. Jefferson, NC: McFarland, 1992. 180~. $28.50 (paper) ISBN @89950-724-7. LC 92-53508. Perm. paper. Based on Baum’s research for her 1987 Ed.D. thesis, this work traces “the impact of various kindsoffeminismon thethoughtandpoiitical agendaofAmerican iibrarywomenfrom 1965 to 1985.” Baum “has collected ail the iiterature written by women in libraries about women in libraries, . ..performed both content and citation analysis,” sought major feminist themes, and explored the relationship between library literature and feminist iiterature. She concludes that the “second wave” of feminism has had iittieeffecton librarianship: theprofessional literatureaddresses wageand employment inequities rather than radical restructuring of society, and ALA programs have ignored “radical issues other than those promoted by theGayand Lesbian Task Force.” This analysis would be stronger if it acknowiedged contemporary history and popular cui-
192
the Journal of Academic Librarianship,
ture (and developments since 1985). The text and tables are ciear, though there are some solecisms and notableerrors involving names. “The book is well oroduced.... with readable type and a sturdy ;oft-cover dinding.” Recommendation-This work explores “an important issue for any profession made up primarily of women.” Reviewer-Ellen Crosby RQ, Spring 1993, p. 449 Recommendation-“Unfortunately, [Baum’s] recognition of an area in need of careful and critical research isn’tenough; theend result is disappointing on most counts.” The methodology and source material “are peculiarly limited given the scope and complexities of the topic, [and] are further weakened by a lackofsophisticated and informed analysisof the data.” Reviewer-Joan Ariei College & Research Libraries, Mar. 1993, p. 180-82 *See also Mar. 1993 p. 48; Jan. 1993 p. 392; Sep. 1992 p. 256
The Humanitles and the Ubrary, 2nd ed., ed. by Nena Couch and N. Alien. Chicago: ALA, 1993.32Op. $35; $3 1.50 to ALA members ISBN @8389-0608-7. LC 92-32610. Perm. paper. n This updated and expanded version of a tit/e that first appeared in 19.57 strives to enable librarians and students to “link their knowledge of the techniques of librarianship with an understanding ofthesubjectfields”of the humanities. The nine contributors (who include the editors) have entirely rewritten the chapters on the fine arts, literature, music, philosophy, and religion, and added new chapters on history and the performing arts. Contents of individual chapters suggest that contributors were invited to address certain areas but then allowed much flexibility: all chapters have sections on librarianship in the given discipline, cataloging and classification, and literature of the discipline; many cover the discipline itself, types of libraries or collections, uses and users, selection, and library facilities; and a few have unique sections (e.g., preservation). Allen’s introduction summarizes humanistic research practices. The book has been produced with care, and the tab/e of contents, name/tit/e index, and subject index are all admirably thorough. Studentsandpracticing librarians-especially those in academic libraries-are the intended audience; those preparing to work exclusively in a special library (e.g., a fine arts library) will ofcourse want to supplement this text, and can begin by consulting the chapterending lists of professional readings.-Eds.
the Information Environment: A Reader, selected and introduced by Geraidene Walker. Boston: G.K. Hail, .1992. 336~. $38.50: $24.95 (paper) ISBN O-8161-1946-5; 08161-1947-3(paper). LC91-39347. Perm. paper.
July 1993
intended for the inquiring lay person, for students in various social sciences, and particularly for beginning students in LIS, this volume reprints 22 articles originally published between 1945 and 1990 (“with a median publication date midway between 1985 and 1986”). The contents include many ciassits-Harold Borko’s “information Science: What is it?” Vannevar Bush’s “As We May Think,” F.W. Lancaster’s “Whither Libraries? or, Wither Libraries,” and Lester Asheim’s “Selection and Censorship: A Reappraisal”as well asoutstandingessays bySusan Martin, BiaiseCronin,ToniCarboBearman,andDavid Bender. Although broad in scope, most of the pieces present the “traditional library-based perspective.” The opening section, on defining information and information science, improves after an inauspicious beginning by Jason Farradane. The remaining seven chapters cover The Transformation of Society, Technology and information Work, information Supply, information Use, information and the individual, information and Public Policy, and information Ethics. At least one article is too advanced for the intended audience, and another “is a blizzard of acronyms.” The book is produced and typeset well; Walker has provided introductions and lists of additional readings for each section, and a two-page (barely adequate) index. Recommendation-Balancing this coliection’s flaws and weak contributions are several excellent articles that will benefit students and practitioners-first-timereadersand rereaders. Collectively, the contents show “how far the professions have come and have yet to go.” Reviewer-James Kusack Library Quarterly, Apr. 1993, p. 226-28 *See also Jan. 1993 p. 388; Sep. 1992 p. 253
introduction to Ubrary Services, by Barbara E. Chernik. Engiewood, CO: Libraries Unlimited, 1992.230~. $30; $25 (paper) ISBN &87287-93 1-3; l-86308-053-2 (paper). LC 92-5486. +Ostensibiyarevision tochernik’s Introduction to Library Services for Library Technicians, this retitled work is broader in scope and intended for a wider audience. The contents cover library history and development, personnel, resources, organizational patterns, traits of the various types of libraries, networks and resourcesharing, facilities planning, auxiliary services (e.g., professional associations, publishers, suppliers), philosophy (including intellectual freedom and “good library service”), and job seeking in librarianship. The up-to-date and well-organized text provides balanced coverage of functions and services in public, school, academic, and special iibraries, introduces terminologygradually, and progresses slowly into such areas as phiiosophy and responsibilities of the profession. Therearemanyiiiustrationsandphotographs, and each chapter ends with a summary, 5 to 8 review questions, references, and a list of 10 to 12 suggested readings. Appendices reprint
Feminist Thought In American Ubrarlanship, by Christina D. Baum. Jefferson, NC: McFarland, 1992. 180~. $28.50 (paper) ISBN @89950-724-7. LC 92-53508. Perm. paper. Based on Baum’s research for her 1987 Ed.D. thesis, this work traces “the impact of various kindsoffeminismon thethoughtandpoiitical agendaofAmerican iibrarywomenfrom 1965 to 1985.” Baum “has collected ail the iiterature written by women in libraries about women in libraries, . ..performed both content and citation analysis,” sought major feminist themes, and explored the relationship between library literature and feminist iiterature. She concludes that the “second wave” of feminism has had iittieeffecton librarianship: theprofessional literatureaddresses wageand employment inequities rather than radical restructuring of society, and ALA programs have ignored “radical issues other than those promoted by theGayand Lesbian Task Force.” This analysis would be stronger if it acknowiedged contemporary history and popular cui-
192
the Journal of Academic Librarianship,
ture (and developments since 1985). The text and tables are ciear, though there are some solecisms and notableerrors involving names. “The book is well oroduced.... with readable type and a sturdy ;oft-cover dinding.” Recommendation-This work explores “an important issue for any profession made up primarily of women.” Reviewer-Ellen Crosby RQ, Spring 1993, p. 449 Recommendation-“Unfortunately, [Baum’s] recognition of an area in need of careful and critical research isn’tenough; theend result is disappointing on most counts.” The methodology and source material “are peculiarly limited given the scope and complexities of the topic, [and] are further weakened by a lackofsophisticated and informed analysisof the data.” Reviewer-Joan Ariei College & Research Libraries, Mar. 1993, p. 180-82 *See also Mar. 1993 p. 48; Jan. 1993 p. 392; Sep. 1992 p. 256
The Humanitles and the Ubrary, 2nd ed., ed. by Nena Couch and N. Alien. Chicago: ALA, 1993.32Op. $35; $3 1.50 to ALA members ISBN @8389-0608-7. LC 92-32610. Perm. paper. n This updated and expanded version of a tit/e that first appeared in 19.57 strives to enable librarians and students to “link their knowledge of the techniques of librarianship with an understanding ofthesubjectfields”of the humanities. The nine contributors (who include the editors) have entirely rewritten the chapters on the fine arts, literature, music, philosophy, and religion, and added new chapters on history and the performing arts. Contents of individual chapters suggest that contributors were invited to address certain areas but then allowed much flexibility: all chapters have sections on librarianship in the given discipline, cataloging and classification, and literature of the discipline; many cover the discipline itself, types of libraries or collections, uses and users, selection, and library facilities; and a few have unique sections (e.g., preservation). Allen’s introduction summarizes humanistic research practices. The book has been produced with care, and the tab/e of contents, name/tit/e index, and subject index are all admirably thorough. Studentsandpracticing librarians-especially those in academic libraries-are the intended audience; those preparing to work exclusively in a special library (e.g., a fine arts library) will ofcourse want to supplement this text, and can begin by consulting the chapterending lists of professional readings.-Eds.
the Information Environment: A Reader, selected and introduced by Geraidene Walker. Boston: G.K. Hail, .1992. 336~. $38.50: $24.95 (paper) ISBN O-8161-1946-5; 08161-1947-3(paper). LC91-39347. Perm. paper.
July 1993
intended for the inquiring lay person, for students in various social sciences, and particularly for beginning students in LIS, this volume reprints 22 articles originally published between 1945 and 1990 (“with a median publication date midway between 1985 and 1986”). The contents include many ciassits-Harold Borko’s “information Science: What is it?” Vannevar Bush’s “As We May Think,” F.W. Lancaster’s “Whither Libraries? or, Wither Libraries,” and Lester Asheim’s “Selection and Censorship: A Reappraisal”as well asoutstandingessays bySusan Martin, BiaiseCronin,ToniCarboBearman,andDavid Bender. Although broad in scope, most of the pieces present the “traditional library-based perspective.” The opening section, on defining information and information science, improves after an inauspicious beginning by Jason Farradane. The remaining seven chapters cover The Transformation of Society, Technology and information Work, information Supply, information Use, information and the individual, information and Public Policy, and information Ethics. At least one article is too advanced for the intended audience, and another “is a blizzard of acronyms.” The book is produced and typeset well; Walker has provided introductions and lists of additional readings for each section, and a two-page (barely adequate) index. Recommendation-Balancing this coliection’s flaws and weak contributions are several excellent articles that will benefit students and practitioners-first-timereadersand rereaders. Collectively, the contents show “how far the professions have come and have yet to go.” Reviewer-James Kusack Library Quarterly, Apr. 1993, p. 226-28 *See also Jan. 1993 p. 388; Sep. 1992 p. 253
introduction to Ubrary Services, by Barbara E. Chernik. Engiewood, CO: Libraries Unlimited, 1992.230~. $30; $25 (paper) ISBN &87287-93 1-3; l-86308-053-2 (paper). LC 92-5486. +Ostensibiyarevision tochernik’s Introduction to Library Services for Library Technicians, this retitled work is broader in scope and intended for a wider audience. The contents cover library history and development, personnel, resources, organizational patterns, traits of the various types of libraries, networks and resourcesharing, facilities planning, auxiliary services (e.g., professional associations, publishers, suppliers), philosophy (including intellectual freedom and “good library service”), and job seeking in librarianship. The up-to-date and well-organized text provides balanced coverage of functions and services in public, school, academic, and special iibraries, introduces terminologygradually, and progresses slowly into such areas as phiiosophy and responsibilities of the profession. Therearemanyiiiustrationsandphotographs, and each chapter ends with a summary, 5 to 8 review questions, references, and a list of 10 to 12 suggested readings. Appendices reprint