American Libraries: Librarian's Library

Building the Shelfless Library

Sanhita SinhaRoy — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 18:26:28 +0000

By Karen Muller

A few days ago, a Finnish librarian I know posted a picture on Facebook of several people reading while riding public transportation. Only one person was reading a physical book, and my friend mused about the future of libraries. Ever the optimist, I suggested to her that the future will involve librarians providing virtual reference, ebook lending, access to databases, and physical support for necessary technology. While I firmly believe we’ll have brick-and-mortar libraries with hard-copy books on the shelves for quite some time, I—like most of us—know that library service is changing.

To help us prepare for these transformations, this issue’s roundup offers information on books that can offer support.

In No Shelf Required 2: Use and Management of Electronic Books, Sue Polanka, author of a popular blog on ebooks called No Shelf Required, has assembled 16 essays that address practical aspects of integrating electronic books into our collections. Several of these essays are case studies of how libraries have created innovative programs using ebooks, such as establishing creative zones for patron publishing. Other essays touch on such traditional library issues as preservation and weeding. These essays will not be the last word, so there is even an essay on how to experiment and continue to learn about these new formats.

INDEXED. ALA EDITIONS. 272 P. $65. PBK. 978-0-8389-1145-7 (Also available as an ebook.)

In Electronics Resources Management in the Academic Library: A Professional Guide, Karin Wikoff explains what skills are needed to manage the growing repositories of electronic resources. The author, who is the electronic and technical services librarian at Ithaca (N.Y.) College Library, goes beyond ebooks, focusing on the subscription databases that offer full-text options and e-journals. Wikoff also writes about how to provide authenticated access, evaluate licensing, track use, and develop evaluative mechanisms.

INDEXED. LIBRARIES UNLIMITED. 137 P. $40. PBK. 978-1-61069-005-8 (Also available as an ebook.)

Walt Crawford’s Librarian’s Guide to Micropublishing: Helping Patrons and Communities Use Free and Low-Cost Publishing Tools to Tell Their Stories incorporates the author’s experience with library technology over several decades and his extensive publishing in both print and online forms, through his web journal, Cites & Insights. People have always been interested in telling their story or capturing the family histories to pass along to future generations. Many times people have turned to their library as they create or discover their history, and it should be no surprise that they will often turn to the library for help in publishing their work. As with the Polanka book noted above, some libraries have even established creative zones for local authors. Crawford provides a pragmatic guide to helping library users prepare copy for production, whether into an ebook or a limited-run print book.

INDEXED. INFORMATION TODAY. 176 P. $50. PBK. 978-1-573-87430-4 (Also available as an ebook.)

Going Mobile: Developing Apps for Your Library Using Basic HTML Programming, by Scott La Counte, is an introduction to the basics of apps, along with descriptions of several open-source options for developing one’s ideas for extending library service to smartphone users. If libraries are going to offer more digital services and our phones are getting “smarter,” it’s only a matter of time before patrons will want access to library services on the go. According to the author, there are precious few library apps, with a key reason for that being absence of skill with programming tools necessary for development. This is a practical guide to creating a simple app, starting with developing a concept to testing and evaluating its performance.

INDEXED. ALA EDITIONS. 64 P. $45. PBK. 978-0-8389-1129-7. (Also available as an ebook.)

The Cybrarian’s Web: An A–Z Guide to 101 Free Web 2.0 Tools and Other Resources, by Cheryl Ann Peltier-Davis, extends the toolkit a library may use to offer new services to visitors. Some of those listed have been with us for some time, but others are new (at least to me) or have applications to library work that might not be obvious. The collection includes productivity tools such as AbiWord and Zotero, several search engines, photo and video hosting services, and social networking apps. As suggested by one of the essayists in the Polanka book mentioned above, if we are going to transform our services, then experimenting with new options is a necessary part of moving forward. An appendix includes tips on how to keep current.

INDEXED. INFORMATION TODAY. 512 P. $49.50. PBK. 978-1-57387-427-4. (Also available as an ebook.)

Finally, a dose of legal reality. Using new technologies and applications appropriately requires understanding of the permissions and limitations of the law. In The Digital Librarian’s Legal Handbook, lawyer and library school professor John N. Gathegi explores the intellectual property issues of digital content. Chapters cover such issues as content ownership, acquiring rights, licensing of music, digital rights management systems, rights to make derivative works, and the complexities of copyright infringement.

INDEXED. NEAL-SCHUMAN. 250 P. $130. PBK. 978-1-55570-649-4

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The Librarian’s History of the Library

Sanhita SinhaRoy — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 15:03:15 +0000

March/April 2012

By Karen Muller

When I think of history, two quotations come to mind. One, by Marcus Cicero, says history illuminates the present; the other, by Henry Ford, says we must live in the present:

“History is the witness that testifies to the passing of time; it illumines reality, vitalizes memory, provides guidance in daily life, and brings us tidings of antiquity.” —Marcus Cicero, Pro Publio Sestio

“History is more or less bunk. It’s tradition. We don’t want tradition. We want to live in the present, and the only history that is worth a tinker’s damn is the history we made today.” —Henry Ford (1863–1947), interview in Chicago Tribune, May 25, 1916

Libraries have been shaped by history, and providing historical sources is merely one way they serve their communities, either to research specific events or to pursue something more personal, such as genealogy.

Overviews

Books: A Living History, by Martyn Lyons, is a beautifully illustrated and informative overview of the history of printing and books, spanning from the Mesopotamian clay tablet to ebooks and books on demand. Along the way, Lyons includes essays on the rise of literacy; the evolution of the publishing industry; the growth of the book trade; the history of censorship; and the development and growth of libraries, both private and public. While much of the coverage is European and American, Lyons also refers to cultural developments such as ancient Buddhist texts, Mesoamerican codices, and Japanese manga.

Indexed. J. Paul Getty Museum. 224 p. $34.95. 978-1-60606-083-4

Stuart A. P. Murray’s The Library: An Illustrated History is a bit older than Lyons’s book (2009) but a nice complement nonetheless. Murray follows the progression of libraries from their beginnings as repositories for clay tablets to their role in the Middle Ages and present day. He includes parallel developments in the Islamic world, as well as in Asia and Africa, and profiles some of the major libraries of the world.

Indexed. Skyhorse Publishing and ALA Editions. 310 p. $20. 978-0-8389-0991-1

Mining Library Records

Most public libraries serve small communities in which libraries are a major feature. In fact, 75%–80% of the nation’s 9,225 public libraries serve populations under 25,000 people. In Main Street Public Library, library historian Wayne A. Wiegand selects five community libraries for an in-depth study, reviewing each one’s history using such source materials as trustee reports and accession books. Wiegand examines how these particular libraries responded to residents’ distrust of the new, changing public tastes in reading, and the societal impact of the Depression and World Wars I and II on those tastes. In the end he concludes libraries are public spaces for community acculturation as well as literary spaces leading to social harmony.

Indexed. University of Iowa Press. 284 p. $25.95. pbk. 978-1-60938-067-0

Reading Places: Literacy, Democracy, and the Public Library in Cold War America, by researcher Christine Pawley, looks at library services provided by Door-Kewaunee Regional Library (DKRL) and the impact that Wisconsin’s public policy legislation has had on library services as administered by the Wisconsin Free Library Commission. Pawley focuses on the state’s Regional Library Demonstration, an experiment from 1950 to 1952 to provide library services to two ethnically diverse neighboring counties. The demonstration was founded on principles of library services for adult education and literacy, but the counties failed to give the program equal support despite an advocacy campaign not unlike ones libraries undertake today.

Indexed. University of Massachusetts Press. 325p. $28.95. pbk. 978-1-55849-822-8

Our Role

None of these books about libraries and their history would be possible without libraries themselves. In particular Main Street Public Library, Reading Places, and Right Here I See My Own Books (see page TKTK) rely not only on libraries but also on archives that include the source records. Academic Archives: Managing the Next Generation of College and University Archives, Records, and Special Collections, by Aaron D. Purcell, is the newest addition to the Archivist’s and Records Manager’s Bookshelf series. It covers both the why and how of maintaining archives—for traditional paper-based formats and also current “born digital” formats. Purcell includes chapters on defining the mission and vision of the collection, along with the necessary collection development issue of cultivating donors.

Indexed. Neal-Schuman, an imprint of ALA Publishing. 336 p. $95. pbk. 978-1-55570-769-9

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Great Lists of Great Reads

Beverly Goldberg — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 01:24:55 +0000

January/February 2012

By Karen Muller

Each January, librarians, publishers, parents … and, well, anyone who has an interest in books and reading … awaits the announcement of the Youth Media Awards at the ALA Midwinter Meeting. While awards help us define the criteria for “good” books, the lists of winners and notables are just a few of the readers’ advisory tools available to help us learn about books and other library media so we can guide readers of all ages to the most appropriate resources, whether award-winning or not. Among our ever-expanding choices are the extremely popular genres of graphic novels, manga, and street literature—all of which may be out of your comfort zone but are nevertheless worth learning about.

Advise and Contextualize

Stained-glass windows delight as well as teach, and so do graphic novels. In Graphic Novels in Your School Library, Jesse Karp, a school librarian and regular reviewer of graphic novels, provides a history of the genre—from its comic book roots to its mainstream acceptance. In the book, illustrated by Rush Kress, Karp offers annotated reading lists by grade level, lesson plans for learning about graphic novels, and skill-building exercises on how to visualize a sequence of events.

Indexed. ALA Editions. 160 p. $50, pbk. 978-0-8389-1089-4

Street literature, or urban fiction, is set on inner-city streets. Its characteristics include vivid descriptions of those streets, stories that happen there, main characters who are often young adults, and stories that reflect the challenges of street life. In The Readers’ Advisory Guide to Street Literature, Vanessa Irvin Morris provides an overview of what street literature is, a brief history of its development, and tips on advocating for and building an urban-literature collection, including lists of key titles to acquire.

Indexed. ALA Editions. 168 p. $48, pbk. 978-0-8389-1110-5 (Also available as an ebook for $38 or as a print/ebook bundle for $56.)

In Mangatopia: Essays on Manga and Anime in the Modern World, editors Timothy Perper and Martha Cornog have assembled bibliographic essays exploring the history, art styles, and influence of anime and manga, including their acceptance in Western culture. Unlike the titles above, the authors here do not include a recommended reading list; rather, they discuss the aspects of the genre that produce such a committed fan base.

Indexed. Libraries Unlimited. 275 p. $50, pbk. 978-1-59158-908-2

Grief and loss are part of life. What we’re grieving for varies, of course, but the need to understand the issues and find guidance continues. In Helping Those Experiencing Loss: A Guide to Grieving Resources, authors Robert J. Grover and Susan G. Fowler provide resources for all ages, categorized by the cause of loss—death, moving, adoption, divorce, etc. The selections are made according to well-defined criteria, and an age range for recommended material is indicated.

Indexed. Libraries Unlimited. 233 p. $50, pbk. 978-1-59884-826-7

Reading aloud to preschoolers has long been considered to have a correlation to their later success with literacy. However, the benefits of hearing a book continue through a person’s K–12 years, as Sharon Grover and Lizette D. Hannegan document in Listening to Learn: Audiobooks Supporting Literacy. The coauthors also provide an annotated list of audiobooks, with key connections for educators.

Indexed. ALA Editions. 200 p. $55, pbk. 978-0-8389-1107-5 (Also available as an ebook for $44 or as a print/ebook bundle for $64.)

Celebrating a Literary Legend

The Snowy Day and the Art of Ezra Jack Keats is a lovely biography of the acclaimed author and illustrator who received the Caldecott Medal in 1963 for The Snowy Day. Biographers Claudia J. Nahson and Maurice Berger cover Keats’s artistic development from being the “background man” for Marvel Comics in the 1940s to his success as an illustrator of more than 80 books for children, most notably his Snowy Day series featuring Peter. Beyond the quality of the art itself, the authors discuss how Keats broke new ground with his multicultural images. The book is also the catalog for the traveling exhibit of the same name, which is on display at the Jewish Museum in New York City through January 29 before moving on to Amherst, Massachusetts; San Francisco; and Akron, Ohio. http://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/news/09142011/recognizing-impact-ezra-jack-keats

Indexed. Jewish Museum/Yale University Press. 104 p. $27.50. 978-0-300-17022-1

KAREN MULLER is librarian and knowledge management specialist for the ALA Library.

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Occupying Technology

Beverly Goldberg — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 17:37:22 +0000

November / December 2011

By Karen Muller

A few years ago an earnest-sounding college student called the ALA Library to gather information about librarianship as a career, adding that she didn’t want to work with computers. We all have days we’d be happy to see our technology replaced with pen and paper that doesn’t crash. But that is not our world, and it behooves us to understand not only the technology we use but the power it gives us. (And yes, I did advise the student that most library jobs involve some use of computers.)

The Big Picture

Scholars Charles H. Davis and Debora Shaw have assembled an approachable and logically structured discussion of the intersection between librarianship and technology in the descriptively titled Introduction to Information Science and Technology. Starting with a review of what “information” and “technology” mean—including the observation that we use both pervasively throughout our lives, even away from the library—the authors review the major concepts of how information is sought, used, organized, and presented. They continue with discussions of computers and networks, applications, and evaluation of the systems. Davis and Shaw go on to summarize the various information policy frameworks that affect our use of technology. What’s important here is the synthesis, in lucid detail, of the major current issues not normally presented in one place.

Indexed. American Society for Information Science and Technology. 288 p. $59.50 (ASIST Members $47.60). 978-1-57387-423-6.

Standards to Stand Behind

Information networks that succeed do so because standards underlie every aspect of the operation, from the outlet into which the machine is plugged to how information can be displayed in an accessible fashion onscreen. Sociologist Lawrence Busch explores these concepts and more in Standards: Recipes for Reality. He looks at the power of standards in all aspects of life, as well as the interrelated topics of certification, licensing, and “stamps of approval.” Busch also examines the ethics of standards and the need to balance predictability against too much conformity, and he posits criteria for fair and effective standards—ones that are collaboratively developed, actionable, and tested.

Indexed. MIT Press. 269 p. $35. 978-0-262-01638-4.

The Bridge to RDA

Describing Electronic, Digital, and Other Media Using AACR2 and RDA is a practical guide for using both the old standard (AACR) and the new (RDA—Resource Description and Access). Mary Beth Weber and Fay Angela Austin have prepared a commonsense guide to using the new code. Following a summary of the principles, the authors offer explanations and examples on a format-by-format basis, with references to published documentation. But because the book was written before there has been extensive implementation and review of the impact of the new code, it may not age well, though it will serve as a useful starting point and a bridge until there's a larger pool of knowledge about using RDA.

Indexed. Neal-Schuman. 319 p. $75. 978-1-55570-668-5.

Social Connections

And just how is the cataloging community going to build that larger pool of knowledge? Likely by exploiting the power of social organization. In some cases we librarians have figured out how to use a variety of collaborative, technology-based tools to build community, but we also struggle—just as other organizations do—with adapting various platforms that are essentially personal networking apps into tools to advance the mission of our libraries. We are not alone. In The Social Organization: How to Use Social Media to Tap the Collective Genius of Your Customers and Employees, Anthony Bradley and Mark P. McDonald provide a strategy map to becoming a social organization by forming a vision for what can be accomplished by collaborating in a community that is fluid and outside the normal bounds of an organization chart, using the “collective genius” of the community to move forward.

Harvard Business Review Press. 256 p. $35. 978-1-4221-7236-0.

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New from ALA Editions

Beverly Goldberg — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 22:32:56 +0000

November / December 2011

By Karen Muller

With all types of libraries suffering budget crises, a key skill is to know where—and how—available dollars might be stretched. In Cost Control for Nonprofits in Crisis, G. Stevenson Smith interprets the principles of cost accounting for use in libraries and other nonprofits. Following an overview of the chapter, Smith provides tools and examples to assist managers with the core tasks of controlling costs, evaluating projects, and implementing strategic planning. Among the techniques covered are activity costing, break-even analysis, and life-cycle costing. With the help of the tools Smith provides, a manager can use available financial data to make logical budget cuts and know the true cost of his or her library activities.

Indexed. 144 p. $75. 978-0-8389-1098-6.

With the economy languishing, small-business leaders continue to look for ways to leverage scarce resources, gather competitive information, and research innovative ideas. As Luise Weiss, Sophia Serlis-McPhillips, and Elizabeth Malafi explain in Small Business and the Public Library: Strategies for a Successful Partnership, the public library has a wealth of information for this sector of the community. From a library’s perspective, existing resources may need to be expanded to keep up with new service demands and to market the availability of these resource to the small-business community. With about half of the private sector workforce employed in small businesses, it is clear the community is not a small one and is a significant source of new job creation. What kinds of information do these businesses need? Sample business plans, trade information, directories, financial books, legal and governmental resources, and career information. The benefits to the library? Bringing in small-business owners through outreach programming and marketing could help forge valuable partnerships that will make the library more central to the community as the economy strengthens.

Indexed. 144 p. $55.00 978-0-8389-0993-5. (Also available as an ebook, $44.)

Sadly, news of thefts from libraries is all too common, with materials in special collections being especially vulnerable. Everett C. Wilkie Jr., past chair of the Association of College and Research Libraries’ Rare Books and Manuscripts Section&#rsquo;s Security Committee, has assembled a guide to prevent and resolve thefts called Guide to Security Considerations and Practices for Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collection Libraries. Expanding on the section’s existing guidelines (included in the appendixes), the book covers such topics as background checks, building considerations, alarm systems, technical processing and markings, and, alas, advice on how to deal with a theft once discovered. Even if your library has only a small “treasure room,” understanding what measures to take is an important step in stewardship of your library’s resources.

Indexed. 380 p. $65. 978-08389-8592-2.

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Manage Best with Best Practices

Beverly Goldberg — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 13:30:11 +0000

September/October 2011

By Karen Muller

This month we’re examining the library literature for tips on how to manage our libraries better. Improvements may come from analyzing each step of a task and its impact on the bottom line, or from incorporating new standards and practices consistent with the diversity of materials now part of our collections.

Pay Attention to Standards

With RDA implementation looming, understanding how cataloging is changing into discovery services will be aided greatly by the essays gathered by Rebecca L. Lubas, the editor of Practical Strategies for Cataloging Departments. The essayists provide insights into how the standards have evolved from just one or two to a plethora of interlocking standards for description, metadata application, format, and communication. They also stress the importance of training and collaboration across library departments to make the discovery tools work for library users.

Indexed. Libraries Unlimited. 117 p. $45, pbk, 978-1-59884-492-4.

Get Funding

Librarian’s Handbook for Seeking, Writing, and Managing Grants, by Sylvia D. Hall-Ellis, Stacey L. Bowers, Christopher Hudson, Joanne Patrick, and Claire Williamson, is just that—a handbook. Stressing that grant-seeking is a continuous, sometimes iterative process, the authors provide guidance, recommendations, forms, and checklists for the key phases of planning, writing, implementation, reporting, and evaluation. Includes sample forms, bibliographies, and a glossary.

Indexed. Libraries Unlimited. 313 p. $50, pbk. 978-1-59158-870-2.

Improve Service

Continuous improvement is achieved by looking at a process in detail, and revising it so that the parts that don’t add value are eliminated. Lean Library Management: 11 Strategies for Reducing Costs and Improving Services, by John J. Huber, starts with descriptions of the strategies and what they mean for an organization seeking to be more efficient in serving the customer well. Huber then applies the principles to common library operations such as new book preparation and holds processing. He challenges the notion that high numbers in the usually gathered statistics means quality service.

Indexed. Neal-Schuman. 197 p. $70, pbk. 978-1555707323.

Manage Well

In some ways, Succeeding in the Project Management Jungle is another book with a cute acronym (TACTILE management) for helping to remember the elements of the program. But author Doug Russell uses the TACTILE elements (transparency, accountability, communication, trust, integrity, leadership, and execution) as the framework for covering ways to manage the expectations of the project stakeholders and to avoid pitfalls in all phases of a project from its beginning through the planning, execution, reporting, and closing out of the project. Russell stresses the interpersonal skills necessary for effective project team functioning.

AMACOM. 262 p. $19.95, pbk. 978-0-8144-1615-0.

Secure Support

Advocacy: Championing Ideas and Influencing Others, by John A. Daly, explores the components of advocacy, from framing the message to forming alliances and getting the message to right people at the right time. Daly weaves in short case studies and examples from a wide range of business fields, but the lessons to be learned apply equally well to advocacy for our libraries.

Indexed. Yale University Press. 387 p. $30. 978-0-300-16775-7.

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New from ALA Editions

Beverly Goldberg — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 21:42:34 +0000

July/August 2011

by Karen Muller

Between 2004 and 2008, four major studies were conducted by researchers. The results all pointed to positive trends in public library growth, with commensurate need for more librarians, especially in the face of the predicted retirements of “baby boomer” librarians. But then the current recession hit. A Strong Future for Public Library Use and Employment, by José-Marie Griffiths and Donald W. King, is a detailed, data-rich look at the studies on public library use and librarians in the workforce, along with two on return on investment in public library services. The authors evaluate the trends identified in those studies against other recessionary periods and conclude—again—that long term, there is a future in libraries.
Indexed 137 p. $70 ISBN 978-0-8389-3588-0

When you’re job hunting, the promise of jobs “long term” is little consolation; what you want is a road map to your next job. A Librarian’s Guide to an Uncertain Job Market, by Jeannette Woodward, is as close to that road map as you can get. Woodward starts with tips for “recession-proofing” the job you have, which are useful in any situation, and goes on to answer such questions as: But what should the first steps be if the pink slip comes? Where are jobs listed now? What are the current networking skills? How has interviewing changed? She also includes ideas on recasting your professional skills for opportunities outside traditional library environments. Many of her suggestions are particularly useful to a more seasoned librarian who may need to retool for today’s library jobs.
Indexed. 112 p. $45. ISBN 978-0-8389-1105-1 (Also available as an e-book or in a print/e-book bundle.)

How to Get a Great Job: A Library How-To Handbook is another practical guide to job hunting that also marks something of a return by ALA Editions to publishing books that libraries can buy for their users, rather than solely for professional reference. As one would expect, the book’s organization is clear, moving sequentially from research to the mechanics of the job search to networking to interviewing and landing the job—with emphasis on the use of a wide array of digital and social networking resources.
Indexed. 172 p. $20. ISBN 978-0-8389-1076-4 (Hardcover)

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Conquering the Digital Divide

Beverly Goldberg — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 16:03:05 +0000

July/August 2011

By Karen Muller

“The digital divide gets bridged in public libraries everywhere in America,” said Mary Dempsey, Chicago Public Library commissioner, as she announced the expansion of a popular digital media center for youth in June. Recent books provide insights on how to bridge the divide, explain why we need to, and offer some research to help make decisions.

Jessamyn West is one librarian who works to bridge the digital divide by teaching those who visit rural Vermont libraries for internet access. In Without a Net: Librarians Bridging the Digital Divide, West explains why it is vital for libraries to work at getting people comfortable with accessing information online. Throughout the exceedingly readable guide, she weaves the rationale for undertaking instruction in practical technical education in libraries through practical chapters on planning the instructional program and presenting the content in ways that learners will understand.

Indexed. Libraries Unlimited. 258p. $40. 978-1-59884-453-5.

Digital Native Effects

At the other end of the spectrum of library users are the “digital natives,” younger people who have always known a digital world. Dancing with Digital Natives: Staying in Step with the Generation That’s Transforming the Way Business Is Done, edited by Michelle Manafy and Heidi Gautschi, is a collection of essays exploring the impact this generation will have as they join the workforce, influence the marketplace, go to school, and seek out entertainment. These essays provide background context, along with print and online references, for considering issues such as supporting homework help when much of the homework is online, integrating social media into reference services, or hiring a new librarian who comes with a 2.0 brand.

Indexed. Information Today. 394p. $27.95. 978-0-910965-87-3.

Online Expectations

One of the expectations digital natives might have is that “everything is online.” We know that it isn’t, but do we have solid research about users’ expectations? The 2009 conference documented in Digital Library Futures: User Perspectives and Institutional Strategies, edited by Ingeborg Verheul, Anna Maria Tammaro, and Steve Witt, presents research on the perceptions and expectations of patrons seeking to access the digital resources of libraries, archives, and museums. The projects and initiatives discussed, such as the Library of Congress photostream on Flickr, expand the sense of what constitutes a library, museum, or archive today. The wider availability of source material in turn transforms the institution into a virtual space to be managed with some of the same goals of providing access to the tools for lifelong learning. As we move inexorably toward digital libraries, thoughtful consideration of the ways in which our traditional services are transformed and how functions and organizations will converge is critical.

De Gruyter Saur. 150p. $135. 978-3-11-023218-9. (Also available as an e-book).

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New from ALA

Beverly Goldberg — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 13:21:43 +0000

May/June 2011

by Mary Ellen Quinn

However much one learns while studying for that MSLS degree, some skills are learned on the job—perhaps with the help of a guide like Be a Great Boss: One Year to Success by Catherine Hakala-Ausperk. Part of the ALA Guides for the Busy Librarian series, the book provides a month-by-month program, starting with “Attitude” and ending with “Your Future.” In between are short chapters on hiring and firing, customer service, planning, budgeting, and other familiar management topics. Each chapter includes a worksheet. Though this won’t take the place of more in-depth guides, it offers a digestible approach to the basics.

Indexed. 252p. $50. 978-0-8389-1068-9

The practice of coaching in organizations has grown tremendously since the first edition of Ruth F. Metz’s Coaching in the Library: A Management Strategy for Achieving Excellence was published in 2001. The new edition has been updated with new forms. It also adds an annotated list of best resources, reflecting the proliferation of coaching resources over the past few years. Metz believes that coaching is about more than problem-solving, and her guide shows how it can be applied by libraries on a broader scale to improve organizational effectiveness.

Indexed. 112p. $50. 978-0-8389-1037-5

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Volumes of Vernacular

Beverly Goldberg — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 14:19:58 +0000

May/June 2011

By Mary Ellen Quinn

There are fewer and fewer print dictionaries, and in fact the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, once considered a mainstay of the dictionary collection, seems to have altogether disappeared. But language lovers can take heart in the publication of a new and wonderful resource, the three-volume Green’s Dictionary of Slang, compiled by British lexicographer Jonathon Green. It’s based on historical principles, meaning that, like the Oxford English Dictionary, it traces more than 100,000 words or phrases back, as far as possible, to their first use. And speaking of the OED, a new version of Oxford English Dictionary Online was launched late last year, so dictionary fans have plenty to celebrate.

Oxford University Press. 6,000p. $450. 978-0550-10440-3.

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