Libraries in the Information Age: An Introduction and Career Exploration FROM THE PUBLISHER
Designed to introduce LIS students to the ever-changing world of modern libraries and information centers, this text provides an important overview of libraries in the era of electronic information. It helps students build necessary core knowledge in such areas as electronic dissemination of information, the impact of the Internet on libraries, the changing responsibilities of library professionals, the new paradigm for evaluating information, and characteristics and functions of today's library personnel. Each chapter revolves around a pertinent topic: the history of libraries, job opportunities, collections, preparing materials for use, circulation, reference service, ethics in the information age, job search basics, and the Internet. References and relevant books, Web sites, and publications at the end of every chapter point to further resources. Additional information--such as policies, the library bill of rights, the code of ethics, and the freedom to read statement--is supplied in the appendixes.
SYNOPSIS
Introduces LIS students to the ever-changing world of modern libraries and information centers by providing an important overview of libraries in the era of electronic information.
FROM THE CRITICS
Library Journal
Intended for those entering a library/media technician course of study or for those pursuing a graduate library/information degree, this textbook is designed as a follow-up to, if not replacement for, Barbara Chernik's Introduction to Library Services (Libraries Unlimited, 1992), which was itself an expansion of her 1982 Introduction to Library Services for Library Technicians. Ten chapters, which each include listings of web sites, notes, resources, and study questions, are followed by four appendixes and two indexes. In trying to present a broad overview of the roles libraries play in this information age, Fourie (reference librarian, Cuesta Coll., San Luis Obispo, CA) and Dowell (director of learning resources, Cuesta Coll.) fail to discuss adequately librarianship as a career, including why one would choose it, or librarianship as a profession, why it exists at all. There is no one thread or focal point in the text on which a student might exclaim, "Aha! That's what a library is about!"-let alone consider working there as a career option. Rarely are the attitudes and attributes that prospective students need to have in looking at librarianship as a career given, and, except for Chapter 7: Reference Service, rarer still are specific skills for successful library work listed. That such an introduction and career exploration is needed is obvious; that this work is not the answer is obvious as well.-B. Susan Brown, Pamunkey Regional Lib., Hanover, VA
Booknews
Written for students and other interested in an overview of modern libraries and information centers, this text is especially useful for students beginning a course of study as a library/media technician in a community college curriculum, and for graduate library and information school students. It can also be used in continuing education courses for staff and as a reference. The text begins by examining the role of libraries in the electronic information era, then discusses job opportunities in library and information center settings, and details collections, processing, circulation, and reference activities. Resource sharing, ethics, and job hunting are also examined. The authors are affiliated with Cuesta College. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
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