Notes by the reviews editor

Citation

(2007), "Notes by the reviews editor", Program: electronic library and information systems, Vol. 41 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/prog.2007.28041cae.001

Notes by the reviews editor

This section contains notes on works (e.g. directories, short publications and select product guides) for which a full review is considered to be inappropriate. This is not to suggest, however, that such works are regarded as ephemeral or unimportant.

New Directions in Reference

Edited by B. Anderson and P.T. WebbHaworth PressBinghamtonNY2007161 pp.ISBN 0-7890-3089-6US$ 19.95

The ten chapters by different authors cover the various aspects of electronically based reference services. Chapters deal with the skills and operational environment that librarians have to cope with in the modern library. Both the role and expertise to be acquired and developed are discussed in terms of career challenges and library service provision. Emphasis is given to the resultant interactions with users both in-house and online at remote sites or even with those using the service from their homes. One chapter exclusively covers the provisions and implications of US Copyright Law and the Digital Millennium Copyright Act passed by Congress in the US in 1998. There is a chapter on the application and management of a self-service interlibrary loan system. Other chapters deal with the personal digital assistant (PDA), e-mail reference services and reference services in rural libraries

A Comprehensive Library Staff Training Programme in the Information Age

Aileen Wood, Chandos PublishingOxford2007357 pp.ISBN 1-84334-118-2£39.00

The author, Dr Aileen Wood, is a professional library training specialist who has gathered material from her own workshops, courses and seminars as well assembling views and best practice from similar trainers around the world. In 11 chapters and extensive appendices, the author discusses the competencies and skills (usefully listed in 11 pages of tables) needed in the current electronic environment and the training strategies needed to maintain satisfactory levels of staff performance. Other sections deal with the way in which those wishing to work in this field can best present themselves to potential employers, recognising that they need to have developed and be able to demonstrate relevant skills; on the employers’ side the author discusses performance appraisal. A useful aspect concerns the different approaches people have to learning new skills, the effect of, and reaction to, different styles of tuition and the attitudes all this fosters in the individual. The author gives detailed help with course structures and content, and various what are termed “non-conventional” techniques for training. The seven appendices cover such matters as CVs, appraisal forms, professional certification, etc. The whole work contains 22 figures and 21 tables. There is a two-page bibliography and a five-page index.