Intr@nets for Info Pros

Citation

Fourie, I. (2008), "Intr@nets for Info Pros", The Electronic Library, Vol. 26 No. 6, pp. 927-929. https://doi.org/10.1108/02640470810921718

Intranets are of growing importance in the library and information service (LIS) sector, business world, etc. In this context Intr@nets for Info Pros is a timely and very valuable addition to our subject literature. In 11 chapters Mary Lee Kennedy and Jane Dysart have succeeded in meaningfully combining expert contributions on a wide spectrum of issues relevant to information professionals. In fact it is easy to agree with Tom Davenport's remark in the Foreword: “Perhaps nowhere else will you find such useful content on how information and IT professionals should view and leverage intranets” (p. xii).

With Davenport setting the background for the book in the Foreword – i.e. the book being aimed at those interested in intranets coming from the background of either IT or library/information science – and Kennedy explaining the concept of an intranet and the challenges faced by information professionals, the reader can continue with assurance to consider the issues and challenges that will be faced. As background to this exploration, I especially valued two remarks by Kennedy in chapter one, namely reference to Brenda Dervin's theory of sense‐making and its importance to the use and seeking of information (one of the reasons why information professionals would be interested in designing intranets) (Dervin et al., 2003), and a reference to the work of Dave Snowden (2005) on the need to manage for serendipity (i.e. accidental discovery of information). I believe this clearly captures the rationale for information professionals from both a library/information science background as well as those with a stronger IT background and even IT professionals in the wider context to take note of Intr@nets for Info Pros.

The 11 chapters cover the following:

1. 1.

   Issues of current importance as well as directions for the future.

2. 2.

   The roles of information professionals as well as the need for ongoing professional development.

3. 3.

   Implementing an intranet (with the very important addition to the title: “… that makes sense”; p. iv).

4. 4.

   Governance roles and responsibilities.

5. 5.

   Collaboration and communities.

6. 6.

   Content management for intranets.

7. 7.

   Writing for intranets.

8. 8.

   Corporate portals and intranets.

9. 9.

   Information architecture.

10. 10.

    Searching the intranet.

11. 11.

    Designing the ultimate end‐user experience by separating presentation and content.

In the Afterword, Kennedy stresses that users and circumstances changes. For me this implies that Intr@nets for Info Pros should be used as a good point of departure, but should be supplemented by ongoing reading of supporting literature and time for reflection on the design of intranets “that makes sense”.

The book is concluded with a good, detailed index as well as a good bibliography. A few references to resources information that professionals can use for “serendipity” on intranet developments would, however, have been a useful addition.

Although it is stated that the book has been written so that each chapter can be useful on its own (p. 251), I strongly recommend that it is read right from the Foreword to the Bibliography to enable the reader to benefit fully from the wealth of finer suggestions that would enable information professionals to design intranets that would support sense‐making, serendipity and focus on end‐user needs and information behaviour.

Intr@nets for Info Pros is highly recommended to all information professionals in any way involved in the design and use of intranets. Although written in a practical, easy to read style, it is backed by a sound theoretical and academic structure. In this regard, I would also strongly consider it as prescribed or at least recommended reading for library/information science students. Even students in IT fields could benefit from reading views that put a strong emphasis on the end‐user, as well as benefiting from the expertise found in library/information science and information and knowledge management – all of course excellently supplemented by IT expertise.