Computers in Libraries: An Introduction for Library Technicians

Citation

McMenemy, D. (2007), "Computers in Libraries: An Introduction for Library Technicians", Program: electronic library and information systems, Vol. 41 No. 1, pp. 96-97. https://doi.org/10.1108/00330330710724944

It is always strange to find oneself reading a book and finding that it has been potentially undersold in its title; Computers in Libraries is such a book. The subtitle of the book suggests it is an introduction for library technicians, and for the reader outside of the USA this could be rather confusing, since in many countries the equivalent title is library assistant. Geographically limiting terminology aside, the book is an extremely useful addition to the literature.

I very much admired the structure of the book. Each chapter is preceded with a glossary of terms, so for the reader who may well be unfamiliar with the jargon there is no need to dip to the back of the book to find a term amongst a large list. This small detail reflects the inherent practicality of the text. After the relevant discussion, each chapter ends with a set of reflective questions, making the book very useful as a teaching tool for staff or student training. The broad coverage of the text is also admirable. Wilson does not just discuss ICTs; she does so in the context of libraries and library services. This is an important point, since the emphasis is on the library, not on the computer. Within each chapter the focus is on the specific library service being discussed and how computers are impacting on delivery of that service.

Chapter one gives a straightforward overview of what a computer is, how it works, and what role software and hardware have in the world of computers. The book then progresses to discussing the Internet; again the approach is what it is and what libraries need to consider. Library specific themes make up the remainder of the book.

Chapter three provides an informative discussion of library management systems (LMS). Wilson describes the functions of an LMS and reinforces the importance of the systems in providing high‐quality management information and statistics. The next chapter provides an overview of library acquisitions, covering library vendors, selection and ordering, and financial management. Chapter five covers cataloguing, and gives a concise description of MARC records and the different cataloguing conventions that are used. Being an up‐to‐date text, within this chapter there is also a useful discussion of Dublin Core metadata. Each of these potentially complex topics is clear and accessible, with useful illustrations included for all.

Chapter six focuses on circulation issues and thus covers topics as diverse as library bar codes and understanding an item loan record on an LMS. The next chapter discusses the challenges inherent in managing serials, and covers topics such as types of serials, publication frequencies, and binding. Chapter eight focuses on the OPAC; essentially what it is, what it is capable of, and how to search it effectively. To this end the author provides an overview of topics such as interface customisation and Boolean searching. The subsequent chapter takes resource sharing as its central focus, discussing the importance of sharing resources and consortia approaches to information delivery; this also takes in the inter‐library loan system. Chapter ten focuses once again on search skills, but moves beyond the OPAC into discussion of databases and the web.

The book rounds off with a generic chapter, which discusses computer skills, emphasising the basics such as understanding the keyboard and desktop, shortcuts and, more complex, the importance of an understanding of HTML and web page creation for delivering library services. While all useful, I did feel this chapter could have been a little longer to get over more richness in detail. However, the chapter is accessible and provides the reader with the basics, which they can follow up from other sources if they so desire. The final chapter reflects on future directions for computers in libraries, speculating on how each of the services discussed in the book will be impacted by computers in the future.

In summary, this is an excellent title for anyone involved in teaching the ICT elements of working in libraries. Unashamedly practical in tone and design, it is well written, accessible, and informative. The book puts computers in libraries into their proper context – as tools of the librarian, not the librarian's master. Having co‐authored a similar book to this, I am sure that the author will receive criticism about the book being too low level, and such criticism would miss the point entirely. Probably the best praise I can offer the book is that anyone employing a new library assistant/technician should ask their new employee to read Wilson's book cover to cover.