Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Recreating the Academic Library: Breaking Virtual Ground

Recreating the Academic Library: Breaking Virtual Ground. LaGuardia, Cheryl, ed. New York: Neal Schuman, 1998. isbn 1555702937 027.70973 Recre

Description
Academic libraries are being literally reinvented: buildings, collections, personnel, organizations, a new generation of computerization - even who and where their clients are is changing. These essays are by leading academic library "recreators." Richard De Genarro talks about The Library as a State of Mind; Clifford Lynch reveals how he is Recomputerizing Libraries; James Rettig describes Buildings That Help, Not Hinder; Esther Grassian defines Librarian Teachers; Ilene Rockman shares strategies for Reaching the Remote user; Joseph Boisse characterizes The Truly Diverse Clientele; and others address a spectrum of issues ranging from academic to electronic collections.

Finding Common Ground: Creating the LIbrary of the Future Without Diminishing the Library of the Past

Finding Common Ground: Creating the Library of the Future Without Diminishing the Library of the Past. LaGuardia, Cheryl and Barbara A. Mitchell, eds. New York: Neal Schuman, 1998. isbn 1555702902 025.00285 Recre

From Library Journal
A conference held at Harvard in March 1996, "Finding Common Ground" addressed anxieties over the future of libraries, "virtual" and otherwise. Editors LaGuardia (coordinator, Electronic Teaching Center, Harvard College Library, and LJ columnist) and Mitchell (head of access services, Widener Library, Harvard College) helped plan the conference and have sorted the numerous papers into six topical sections focusing on technology, service to library users, support for scholarly research, economic issues, organization of information, and the library organizational structure. Collections of conference proceedings are often uneven; this publication is no exception, featuring several high-quality papers among a number of less engaging efforts. (Undoubtedly, all of the contributions would have been more effective at the event itself.) All of the papers pertain almost exclusively to academic or research libraries. The unquestionable high point is Clifford Lynch's insightful keynote address, which ought to be read by librarians both in and out of academe. Most of the remaining works recount findings from studies or experiences at the presenters' institutions, occasionally lapsing into excessive detail. Academic librarians and library and information science scholars will not likely read the work from cover to cover but will find a good number of the papers worth their time and attention.

Description
Here is an exploration of reasonable, cost-possible ways to develop the libraries of tomorrow. Over 50 articles by top thinkers including Clifford Lynch, Walt Crawford, Margo Crist, James Rettig, and Maureen Sullivan, cover such topics as redefining the future of reference services; government information in the 21st Century; integrating technology and information skills across the curriculum; developing new electronic services; cataloging digital libraries; and migrating an information system to the World Wide Web.

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Proven Strategies for Building an Information Literacy Program

Curzon, Susan Carol and Lampert, Lynn D., eds. Proven Strategies for Building an Information Literacy Program. New York: Neal Schuman, 2007 1-55570-608-8 028.7071 Prove
Review Bottom line:
Recommended for readers who are trying to get an overview of information literacy efforts beyond the K-12 arena. --Teacher Librarian

Product Description
Developing an information literacy program in the 21st century requires more than simple planning it requires a thoroughly designed strategy based on proven success. In this book, twenty information literacy experts, including Michael Eisenberg, Virginia Walter, and Lesley Farmer, explore various techniques and contribute perspectives on information literacy programs in educational environments from kindergarten through higher education, including public libraries. The result is an indispensable volume that provides an integrated, comprehensible approach for creating a successful, sustained program. The book is divided into chapters, each focusing on one of the 17 components that make up what authors Curzon and Lampert identify as the information literacy wheel . Each section of the wheel planning, teaching models, collaboration, marketing, assessment, and more undergoes in-depth analysis by one of the information literacy professionals. Here is a key resource, packed with compelling analyses and real-world examples from the experts themselves, for developing an effective, multi-dimensional information literacy program in the 21st century.

Learn Dewey Decimal Classification

Mortimer, Mary. Learn Dewey Decimal Classification. 1st North American Ed. Friendswood, TX, TotalRecall Publications Inc., 2007 978-1-59095-804-9 025.431 Morti

From Library Journal
The current trend in cataloging courses is to emphasize theory with little or no practical experience given. However, it is important for professionals, paraprofessionals, and library students to at least have a working knowledge of cataloging basics. Both of these books cover the basic skills necessary to classify in either the Library of Congress Classification (LCC) or the Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC). The chapters and exercises are clearly written and to the point, with the answers also included. Both workbooks should be used in sequence as each chapter builds on the lessons of the previous ones. Not every LCC schedule is used. Examples and exercises were chosen to reinforce the general principles that apply across all schedules. Recommended for professionals and paraprofessionals seeking professional development, students wanting to supplement their courses with practical applications, and library schools offering distance learning courses in cataloging.

Product Description
This combined text and workbook covers the theories and principles of Dewey Decimal Classification and then offers readers immediate practice in putting the information to use. Plentiful, clear explanations, examples and practice exercises illustrate every aspect of Dewey Decimal Classification and help students master creating DDC numbers. The book also includes a new chapter on WebDewey; a glossary that defines technical terms in simple language; and an index. It is an easy to use study tool for all library students and library staff who need to be familiar with at least the basics. Unlike other materials available for learning the DDC, this book combines workbook with instructional text. As such, the student can refer to it beyond the course.

Managing Budgets and Finances: A How-To-Do-It Manual

Hallam, Arlita W. and Dalston, Teresa R. Managing Budgets and Finances: A How-To-Do-It Manual. New York, Neal-Schuman, 2007, isbn 1-55570-519-7 025.11 Halla
From Booklist
This budgeting manual, another in the Neal-Schuman group of How-To-Do-It guides, offers the new or seasoned library administrators, board members, department heads, or finance professionals a way to budget carefully and clearly by offering a variety of strategies, definitions, and suggestions. The manual is divided into three parts: basics for librarians, special topics in financial management for libraries, and alternative library funding. Each chapter is divided into an overview, subtopic, and a summary. Definitions of terms, examples of reports, sources, and detailed steps in budget preparation are just some of the helpful aspects of this book. Special topics include outsourcing, capital projects, contracts, and RFP. The appendixes include a sample accounting manual, annual report, and RFP. This practical tool will enable readers to understand and prepare a budget, understand the fiscal matters, and be able to make decisions on funding or managing a capital project.

Review
"...easy-to-understand...the nuts and bolts of budgets, including auditing processes, fund allocations, capital projects, insurance, and sources of funding." --American Libraries