The Cybrarian's Web: An A to Z Guide to 101 Free Web 2.0 Tools and Other Resource

This is a very useful book for new librarians and any librarian who is interested in how libraries can best use Web 2.0 applications. The author is the Archives and Digital Librarian at Nova Southeastern University. Peltier‐Davis has written and presented on an extensive array of library‐related topics ranging from Web 2.0 and libraries, digitization of library collections, librarian core competencies and other topics relating to library management. The book is basically an annotated list of websites that the author identifies as having useful and creative applications for libraries in terms of bibliographic identification and access, social media, training for staff and for promoting the public image of libraries. The great majority of the websites included in Cybrarian's Web are free.

In the preface the author states that her intent for the book was to provide the “[…] reader with as much information possible about the structure, content, and usefulness” for each selected website (Preface, xviii). Information about each source is provided through an annotated outline; with the name of the resource, followed by its general category (productivity tool, social media site, blog publisher, broadcast service, wiki, etc.), permanent URL, then a general overview of the website, its origins and any special or unique features. The “Features” section includes a description of how the resource works, best practices for its use, and notes any limitations or weaknesses of the website.

Most interesting to librarians are the sections on “How Librarians Can Use This Resource” which provide insight into how the resource can be employed in real library situations and applications. These sections range from personal advice (how to use a travel site to manage your complicated travel arrangements) to suggestions on how to best use particular presentation software. The sections entitled “FYI” give interesting fact and background information on the resource and any awards the website may have garnered. Three appendices are also included: one provides tips for keeping current on Web 2.0 tools; the second appendix is a glossary and the third is a list of the websites referenced in the book.

Cybrarians Web, available at http://cybrariansweb.com/ is a companion website to the book. Direct links to all 101 sites are provided and Peltier‐Davis has provided additional links to websites she identifies as having useful library applications. Using the same organization as that available in the book, the site includes several brand new resources, including HootSuite, a site to manage multiple social media sites and Unglue.it, a site that “allows book aficionados to pay authors and publishers to make their traditionally‐published books free to the world under a Creative Commons license” (Id.). Other features of the website include a blog, an e‐mail subscription service, an RSS feed and the ability to make comments and recommendations to the author. Peltier‐Davis promises that the website will keep readers “up‐to‐date with developments in this highly dynamic and fast‐moving” field (About the Website, xv).

Some sites included in the book seem dated or so ubiquitous that inclusion seems odd. Sites that fall into this category are Dogpile, Linked In, YouTube, Facebook, MySpace and Wikipedia. All are so commonly used by libraries and librarians that this reviewer thought their inclusion was unnecessary. But the other sites listed will surely prove to be of enormous value to every type of library for the foreseeable future.