Library Technology and Digital Resources: An Introduction for Support Staff
| Published date | 02 October 2017 |
| Pages | 1066-1066 |
| Date | 02 October 2017 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/EL-07-2017-0139 |
| Author | Philip Calvert |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management,Information & communications technology,Internet |
Book reviews
Library Technology and Digital Resources: An Introduction for
Support Staff
by Marie Keen Shaw
Lanham, MD
Rowman & Littlefield
2016
224 p.
US$35.00
Soft cover
ISBN: 978-1-4422-5644-6
Review DOI 10.1108/EL-07-2017-0139
This is a highly practical book aimed at new staff in libraries and similar information
services, though it will also be very useful for relatively new library staff who are already
working with digital technologies and resources. The book is structured into three parts.
The first covers “digital resources”, the second “technologies”and the third “new
directions”. Within the first part, there are chapters on “digital and visual literacies”and
chapters that describe primary resources, the sorts of resources found in global, national,
state and local collections, and what can be found in subscription databases. The latter
chapter explains some of the particular issues that arise from managing electronic
databases that are supplied by third-party vendors. The second part, rather oddly, begins
with another chapter on subscription databases, this time giving information about
providers and producers. Then there are chapters on eBooks, the internet (mostly on
directories and search engines), appropriate use and security and infrastructure. The
final part consists of a single chapter looking to the future. It is rather an odd mixture at
first sight but perhaps that is using the eyes of someone very familiar with the
technology environment in libraries; to those just starting out in libraries, it will provide a
full description of all the aspects of digital resources and technologies that they need to
know. At the start of each chapter are definitions of key terms. There are discussion
points at the end of each chapter that will help the reader reflect on what they have
learned. There are also activities that could be used in staff development tutorials. The
book is specifically aimed at addressing the competencies developed by the American
Library Association Library Support Staff Certification group, though it is nevertheless
useful for library workers around the world. I recommend this book for staff development
collections and for the shelves of all library trainers and tutors. It would also serve for
first-year undergraduate courses in library and information science.
Philip Calvert
Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
EL
35,5
1066
TheElectronic Library
Vol.35 No. 5, 2017
pp. 1066-1068
© Emerald Publishing Limited
0264-0473
To continue reading
Request your trial