by:
Kinder, Robin (Editor)

Publisher:
Haworth Press
Published:September 1, 1994
ISBN:1560246723
Format:Hardcover
Pages:410

Description: From Library Journal
The scope of this book (also published as The Reference Librarian, Nos. 41/42) is more comprehensive than the subtitle suggests. In addition to the section entitled "Internet's Impact on Reference," there are sections on "Introducing Internet Services," "Selected Sources on the Internet," "Evaluating Internet Sources," and "Progress with the Internet." The 25 papers collected here are detailed and erudite accounts of librarians taking an active leadership role in providing Internet access and services. The authors of these papers were recruited through a "Call for Papers" posted on several library-related discussion groups that reside on the Internet. The only proviso was that the papers outline how librarians are meeting the challenge to provide Internet service, despite the inherent disorganization and fluidity of the network. Judging from the results, this book provides evidence that librarians are indeed facing that challenge. Using traditional skills, such as acquiring, evaluating, and organizing information; bibliographic instruction; and interdisciplinary communication, the librarians represented here have approached the Internet as an information source to be used and not as a "technomonster" to be feared. This is a book about librarians being librarians. The Internet is merely the latest medium for our skills. As the editor admits, this book only represents a "point in time." Any title on the Internet, published in the conventional manner, will quickly go out-of-date. Still, the book provides an interesting portrait of academic librarians attempting to integrate the Internet into library services. Highly recommended for all academic reference librarians, especially those still apprehensive about the Internet. [See also The Internet Library: Case Studies of Library Internet Management and Use, Professional Reading, LJ 11/1/94.-Ed.]-Robert Battenfeld, Long Island Univ.-Southampton Lib., N.Y.---Robert Battenfeld, Long Island Univ.
Southampton Lib., N.Y.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.