An essential resource for collection development specialists in small and medium-sized libraries, this guide identifies the highest quality, most affordable, and most appropriate new reference materials in any field. This volume presents the top 550 reviews from the latest edition of American Reference Books Annual (ARBA) to give collection development librarians working in small to medium-sized libraries the best information for choosing new titles for their libraries. Overviewing the breadth of reference products (both print and online) that became available in 2013, all of the titles in Recommended Reference Books for Small and Medium-sized Libraries and Media Centers are well reviewed and have price points that will appeal to libraries on a budget. Readers can count on fair and accurate assessments because all of the reviews are written by experts in the library field and present both positive and negative aspects of the product. Each critical review is coded to clearly indicate which type of library the publication is appropriate for-C for college, P for public, and/or S for school. Comprises the top 550 reviews-all written by subject experts working in the library profession-selected from ARBA, a comprehensive and well-respected reviewing source for reference materials Retains any critical comments made by the reviewer about a recommended title to aid readers in their selection process Recommends titles not only on the basis of their positive reviews but also their affordability and broad appeal, helping reference departments under tight budget constraints to maximize their libraries' funds

Museums and archives all over the world digitize their collections and provide online access to heritage material. But what factors determine the content, structure and use of these online inventories? This book turns to India and Europe to answer this question. It explains how museums and archives envision, decide and conduct digitization and online dissemination. It also sheds light on born-digital, community-based archives, which have established themselves as new actors in the field. Based on anthropological fieldwork, the chapters in the book trace digital archives from technical advancements and postcolonial initiatives to programming alternatives, editing content, and active use of digital archives.

Traditionally, libraries have served as storage spaces offering access to diverse physical collections. Today, following numerous social and technological changes, libraries are retooling their services, rethinking storage and reimagining their spaces. The transformation in information technology has had an enormous impact on users' research behaviour, which in turn demands new discovery environments. A conference of the IFLA Library Buildings and Equipment and the Acquisition and Collection Development Sections spotlighted libraries from around the world who are providing quality, adaptable and innovative library spaces and services meeting the changing needs of their users, their collections, their staff and their communities.

This volume is the most comprehensive compilation of ideas related to library performance yet assembled. It brings together noted researchers and successful library directors and educators who have extended the landmark findings and efforts of their mentor and friend, Ernest DeProsp. The editors give a historical account of contemporary measurement activities; suggest methodologies for measuring performance; offer viewpoints on planning, goal-setting and validity; and comment on problems associated with planning, one of the major tools of measurement. Readers of the book will develop informed opinions about planning, a practice that when entered into unaware can enslave an organization in endless data gathering routines and tax their endurance beyond reasonable points. Thought-provoking comments on the directions taken, and not taken, by library thinkers challenge the reader to speculate about current library-think.

Every year, leading librarians, scholars, and administrators from the United States are invited to give papers on important library-related topics at the Kanazawa Institute of Technology's Roundtable. From 1995 to 1999, some aspect of digital library development was the theme of the symposium, and the essays in this collection are all devoted to that topic.

In these essays, some of the most innovative thinkers and practitioners discuss how digital libraries have been conceived and implemented in the United States. Insight into the policy, legal, and technical frameworks of digital libraries is given, while honest views of problems encountered in trying to integrate digital and traditional libraries are given. Finally, some of the essays explore how users are affected by digital library services.

This is the first book on audio book selection and use for public and school librarians and teachers. Topics addressed include how to begin and upgrade a collection, the relative merits of complete and abridged audio books, a sample written selection policy for the audio book collection, how to evaluate production qualities of audio books, ratings of products from major producers and distributors based on a survey of AV librarians, and an annotated bibliography of more than 200 outstanding audio books. A chapter on audio in education offers a rationale and many practical suggestions for incorporating audio books in education from elementary school through adult literacy programs.

This guide begins with a glossary of terms specific to this medium. Chapter 1 traces the history and development of the audio book industry and producers, and sketches a rationale for library use. Chapter 2 focuses on the pros and cons of complete and abridged audio books in libraries. Chapter 3 offers practical advice on selection and display and evaluates the quality of tapes and packaging. Chapter 4 offers a rationale for use of audio books in education at all levels and suggests strategies for implementation. Chapter 5 gives the results in tabular form of a questionnaire sent to librarians who rated the quality of products form the major audio book producer distributors. Chapter 6 is an annotated bibliography of more than 200 outstanding titles including quotes from reviews, prices, name of reader, etc. Chapter 7 is a directory of producers/distributors with information about products, library discount, replacement policy, distribution, and the authors' comments on their products.

The rapid advances taking place in information and communication technologies are enabling transformation in libraries irrespective of their types. What used to be an isolated and sedate environment has become more of a community hub where users interact, learn, and communicate. Technology has helped libraries connect to a worldwide network where information is exchanged globally and consumed locally. The Handbook of Research on Digital Devices for Inclusivity and Engagement in Libraries is a critical scholarly publication that explores interactive technologies and their applications and implementations in library settings as well as their role in transforming libraries. Featuring a range of topics such as artificial intelligence, library technologies, and social media, this book is ideal for librarians, IT technicians, academicians, researchers, and students.

Tight budgets and limited staff need not stop you from taking positive action. This practical, no-nonsense guide will help you face the budget gap, learn why it exists, and plan an appropriate course of action within budgetary constraints. Chapters cover building-level mission statements and evaluation, library management and operations, resources (human, material, and computer), public relations, and fund-raising. A cost-effective investment for school libraries, small libraries, library schools, and library administrators.

Since the late 1970s, events in Central America have brought increased scholarly interest in the six isthmus nations--Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama. Conceived in response to that scholarly interest, this volume provides a guide to collections of archival and manuscript materials in this country. Although most research in this country has focused on the sources available at the United States National Archives, there is a vast amount of underutilized research materials in smaller collections throughout this country. This work provides access to these lesser known collections as well as to the larger collections holding vast quantities of material. The book will be a valuable tool to researchers seeking primary material on Central America. In addition to historical documents regarding politics, society, economics, and foreign affairs, this volume also surveys materials regarding ecology and indigenous people. Although Catholicism remains the religion of the region, the guide also includes protestant and other missionary work. Map collections, oral histories, photographs, and other visual materials are also covered. The book is arranged alphabetically by state, with the repositories appearing under each state heading. Each entry includes a brief description of the collection's holdings.

Young traces the evolution of the term information from its general linguistic use into the mainstream of modern science, proposing an entirely new definition of information as a mass-energy phenomenon. He demonstrates that: information is in all cases a form phenomenon; both form and information are mass-energy rather than abstract phenomena; mind can be viewed as a mass-energy rather form-manipulating process; form constitutes a mechanism immanent in the physical universe via which mass-energy systems can communicate informationally and control their own energetic activities.

This volume examines the role of specialized knowledge in evaluating and designing information policy. The author begins with a description of the context in which American information policy is made with examples of existing domestic and international policies. He explores scientific and technical information, presents a case study of the SATCOM Report and concludes with suggestions for a new, broadly conceived research agenda within the framework of the method of investigation described in the book.

Indexing and abstracting often fail because too much emphasis is given to the mechanics of description and too little is given to what ought to be described. This text focuses on how people seek information. Drawing on a delightfully broad base of intellectual resources--from information theory and classic literature to Beethoven and MTV--the author considers the basic question of how we can index and abstract our information so that the user can actually find it. He also addresses the challenges and opportunities resulting from the information and technology explosion. O'Connor discusses the shortcomings of traditional indexing and abstracting systems and then presents essays, exercises, and case studies that foster consideration of the elements of a successful search in a variety of settings. Useful as a companion volume for reference, cataloging, and indexing and abstracting classes, this book is also of interest to professional librarians, information brokers, and online searchers.

It's real, it's radical, and it rocks! Nonfiction has become the preferred genre for many teen readers, both male and female. This guide identifies some of the most popular nonfiction for today's teens, and organizes it into specific genres and reading interests that teens enjoy—from true adventure, sports and life stories, to do-it-yourself. More than 500 titles are described, with notes on classics, award winners, reading levels, read-alikes, and titles that especially appeal to boys and to reluctant readers, or are appropriate for book groups. This is an essential readers' advisory resource for anyone who works with teen readers, and a practical collection development aid. Grades 6-12. Teens read nonfiction for pleasure as much or more than adults. In recent years, librarians have become increasingly aware of the appeal of this literature and the need to offer and promote it to teen readers. This guide focuses on titles created for teens and those with strong teen appeal. The author covers more than 500 titles published since 2000, also including benchmarks and perennial classics that teens continue to enjoy. For each title you'll find complete bibliographic information, a descriptive annotation, indications of award winners, reading levels, read-alikes, titles suitable for book groups, and books with extra appeal for boys. In addition, she identifies fiction read-alikes and sure bets for each subgenre (i.e., consider starting with). A general introduction and chapter introductions discuss the appeals of the genre, working with teens, and issues related to nonfiction. This is an essential guide for any librarian who works with teens.

General directors who have all made their marks in the field of librarianship report from a variety of perspectives, including economic, social, educational, cultural developmental, and political. This information could increase the understanding of the managerial decisions, and other factors that affect the decisions and determine the library's overall policy and operations.

A complete guide to the Dewey Decimal and Library of Congress classification of subjects relating to the Second World War.

Because libraries are costly to build, the location of new library facilities, as well as closures or mergers of existing ones, must be carefully analyzed. Numerous factors must be taken into account, including community demographics and information needs, the closeness of the proposed library site to prospective users, the presence and proximity of other library facilities, the elasticity of user demand, and the accessibility of the location. This professional reference provides a complete discussion of library facility siting and relocation issues, discusses marketing concepts of relevance to library managers in siting library facilities, and offers practical advice on how to locate library facilities to most effectively serve the local population. The volume provides a thorough review of the history of library siting and library location research, and it examines statistical models for site selection. Special attention is given to the use of Geographic Information Systems, and the handbook includes several case studies, including examples from increasingly common examples from majority-minority library markets.

Libraries are a central feature of most communities. Because they are costly to build as well as to relocate, the location of library facilities must be carefully considered. Numerous factors determine the effective siting of library facilities. The demographic characteristics of the community help indicate how many people are likely to use the library and for what purposes; income levels help indicate the elasticity of demand for information; the presence and proximity of existing facilities further determines the likely market for the library; and the nature of transportation within the area dictates the accessibility of a proposed site. Moreover, siting decisions are not limited to the construction of new buildings, for librarians must also consider the expansion, merger, and closure of existing facilities. Library location theory is not well developed, and relevant literature has not heretofore been summarized conveniently.

As a professional reference, this handbook is a guide to the complex process of library facility siting and location. While the bulk of the volume provides practical information, the work also presents an historical and theoretical context for siting decisions. Chapter 1 examines some of the issues that shape the location of library facilities, such as the growth of electronic access to information and the debate over the library as a place; Chapter 2 offers a review of the spatial development of the American public library and the history of library facility siting; Chapter 3 reviews research on library location; Chapter 4 discusses statistical modelling; Chapter 5 provides a sample library location model for diverse urban environments; and Chapter 6 examines the value of Geographic Information System software in library siting decisions. An appendix of case studies and an extensive bibliography conclude the volume.

Strong archival programs are rare, in part because the archival field has not given sustained attention to program leadership and management issues over the years. As a consequence, many programs are underfunded and undersupported and lack sufficient space, staff, and other resources to carry out their immensely important work. This collection of essays from eight of the archival field's notably successful leaders provides first-hand accounts of how to carry out planning, build coalitions and alliances, garner resources, empower and inspire program personnel, change program direction, and take programs in new, dynamic directions.

There is an abundance of literature on archival theory, techniques, and practice, but leadership, program building, and related topics are seldom covered in archival literature. This collection of essays provides varying perspectives, insights, advice, caveats, and other helpful information based on the experiences of highly regarded professionals in the field who have actually developed and administered successful programs. They address such issues as how to define program success, the traits of a successful program, leadership traits, and similarities and differences between archival program and similar programs, such as libraries.

Databases and public access catalogs are being used extensively by the public and the academic and business communities as major sources of information. Most users want to access these databases directly to locate the information they need. Increasingly, users are demanding user-friendly databases that will assist them in finding conceptual information effectively. The lack of compatibility or standardization among many different indexing vocabularies and thesauri makes it difficult to find related information in information retrieval systems containing many different online databases. This book provides a thought-provoking new perspective on the role of vocabulary control in providing access to the conceptual information found in online databases and catalogs. The first three chapters provide a basis for understanding the structure of vocabulary control systems used for the indexing of conceptual information. Chapters 4 and 5, which deal with thesaural relationship model formulation and investigation, will be of the greatest interest to designers of online databases and public access catalogs who are striving to improve access to conceptual information from multiple databases. Researchers and developers of thesauri, who are faced with the problems of compatibility and convertibility, will also be interested in testing the applicability of the thesaural relationship model for other vocabulary control systems. The findings reported in chapter six will be of particular interest to database producers and vendors. Although switching and frequency online search strategies for database search engines are not yet available, end-users and experienced searchers can still incorporate these concepts to improve the effectiveness of their searches. Recommendations resulting from this investigation are summarized in the final chapters. With the proliferation of online databases and the increasing number of inexperienced users, the development of new search strategies to facilitate easier searches is critical. This book will be required reading for everyone involved in this effort.

Gives an account of the birth, life, and occasional death of 10,000 early American library collections and traces relationships between the presence of libraries and other aspects of American life. 1876 is considered to mark the beginning of the modern library movement in the United States, but Americans created and used thousands of libraries before that date. While the history of American libraries has not been neglected by scholars, none has examined in detail where in the different parts of the country various libraries came into existence over any extended period of time. The present work does that, detailing the kinds of libraries that existed before 1876 and including 80 to 85 kinds, depending on the way the collections are classified.

Shattering any idea that librarianship is a politically neutral realm, this insider's account of seven debates from the floor of the American Library Association Council illustrates the mechanisms the governing body used to maintain the status quo on issues like racism, government surveillance and climate change. At play in each debate are rules of parliamentary procedure, appeals to authority, denial, and chastisement of librarians who pushed the ALA to make real its commitments to human rights and social justice. Providing a fascinating look at the Council's inner workings, the author parses debates concerning antiapartheid boycotts; partnerships between ALA, McDonald's and the Boy Scouts of America; spying by the National Security Agency; censorship in Israel and the Occupied Territories; fossil fuel industry divestment; and the recent revival by ALA's Office of Intellectual Freedom of the infamous film The Speaker.

The world-class National Palace Museum (NPM) in Taiwan possesses a repository of the largest collection of Chinese cultural treasures of outstanding quality. Through implementing a two-organizational restructuring, and shifting its operational focus from being object-oriented to public-centered, it aims to capture the attention of people and promote awareness of the culture and traditions of China. In this vein, the NPM combines its expertise in museum service with the possibilities afforded by Information Technology (IT). This book analyses the research results of a team sponsored by the National Science Council in Taiwan to observe the development processes and accomplishments, and to conduct scientific researches covering not only the technology and management disciplines, but also the humanities and social science disciplines. The development process of new digital content and IT-enabled services of NPM would be a useful benchmark for museums, cultural and creative organizations and traditional organizations in Taiwan and around the world.