The Public Librarian’s Guide to the Internet

Citation

Anh Tran, L. (2001), "The Public Librarian’s Guide to the Internet", Online Information Review, Vol. 25 No. 1, pp. 66-74. https://doi.org/10.1108/oir.2001.25.1.66.4

The rapid development of online information networks challenges the traditional functions of print‐based information services, and proactive professionals are increasingly asking how they can perform with the growth of IT and new electronic resources in a networked environment. The Public Librarian’s Guide to the Internet is one attempt to answer this question by offering a sound source that supports librarians and information professionals in their efforts to provide information services via the Internet. The four authors are well placed to offer sound practical advice in the area of Internet‐based library services. Sally Criddle, resource coordinator, and Sarah Ormes, Public Library Networking Focus, both work in the UK Office for Library and Information Networking (UKOLN) at the University of Bath. Alison McNab is academic services manager, Pilkington Library, at Loughborough University, while Ian Winship is electronic services manager, Learning Resources Department, University of Northumbria at Newcastle.

The work is divided into three parts: The Basics, Guide to Resources, and Integrating the Internet into Public Library Services. The Basics covers the principal concepts of the Internet. Librarians and users who know the Internet just at the basic level can easily understand what the Internet is all about and its key components from this section. The authors cover such key components as URLs, Internet directories, search engines, browsing, e‐mail, Usenet newsgroups, etc. With these matters covered thoroughly and comprehensibly, librarians and beginning users can better understand the main uses of such Internet functions for communicating, searching and exchanging information. This part provides a comprehensive overview of the Internet that is practical and informative.

The Guide to Resources discusses a variety of Internet resources currently available by subject. By looking under a specific subject area (and there are 15 in this section), the reader is led to a range of useful information resources on the Web. The subjects are primarily those sought by public library users, such as children, people involved in business and finance, or, community affairs, looking for family and local history, needing government information, health resources, and for reference, travel, etc. These are subdivided into specific topics, for example homework and games under children’s resources. Information for each resource covers the title, a brief introduction about the site, and its Internet address.

The more experienced professional reader is likely to derive the most benefit from Part 3, on Integrating the Internet into Public Library Services. This consists of three chapters: Producing Web pages, Developing online public library services, Providing public Internet access. These chapters are not really “how‐to‐do‐it” instructions but rather a series of ideas that professionals can use to develop their own services. The first two chapters in this section include numerous URLs that can be used to help develop Web pages and online services, and the final chapter covers policy issues, discussion of the “free‐or‐fee” issue and user training. A useful glossary and an index conclude the work.

This practical book provides librarians with much useful information on developing Internet‐based public library services. It is recommended for all public librarians working in the delivery of up‐to‐date services to their users.