The new book shelf

Citation

Fitzsimons, E. (2005), "The new book shelf", The Bottom Line, Vol. 18 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/bl.2005.17018aae.001

The new book shelf

The following are books scheduled for publication at the end of 2004 or the beginning of 2005. The descriptions are based on the publishers’ announcements.Managing Budgets and Finances: A How-To-Do-It Manual for Librarians and Information ProfessionalsArlita W. Hallam and Teresa R. DalstonNeal-SchumanPaper230 pp.$59.95ISBN 1555705197The first six chapters of this how-to manual use a step-by-step approach to thoroughly explain and illustrate the nuts and bolts of budgeting, including types of budgets and how to create and revise them; ways of tracking spending and fund allocation; and time lines for financial planning, such as capital spending. Later chapters cover special spending challenges, such as new buildings, maintenance, proposals and bids, outsourcing, and more. Careful attention is given to how libraries make and save money, covering library income, protecting property, alternative library funding, fund-raising, grants, and bonds and referenda. The authors describe selected software that libraries can use to set and track budgets and suggest helpful Web sites for further information. Appendices include a sample accounting manual, annual reports form, request for proposal, lease agreement, and security guidelines. Detailed examples, worksheets, handouts, forms, and tips will help you become a better financial manager.

E-metrics for Library and Information Professionals: How to Use Data for Managing and Evaluating Electronic Resource CollectionsAndrew C. White and Eric Djiva KamalNeal-SchumanPaper250 pp.$75ISBN 1555705146Electronic publications have raised some tough questions: is your library getting every dollar’s-worth out of that thousand-dollar database? Should you re-subscribe to that pricey e-journal? Are your indexes serving your users? White and Kamal show how to use e-metrics to measure library performance and value in the digital age. Learn how to effectively use the electronic data captured from various network activities to manage library collections, budgets, and services. The authors use e-metrics to identify expensive and underused digital resources, visualize virtual patron behavior patterns, and construct new collection development strategies. Real-life examples demonstrate how to develop a locally established library e-metric system and, together with vendor-usage statistics, apply it to critical collection management and financial decisions.

Library Facilities and the LawArlene Bielefield and Lawrence CheesemanNeal-SchumanPaper150 pp.$451555701337Clearly any legal problems are going to be financial problems as well. Librarians involved with the physical plant need to know how to practice defensive law, protect themselves against negligence, and resolve disputes. Using many practical examples, Bielefield and Cheeseman cover all the basics, including the pertinent historical and legal background, safety and how to avoid being negligent, handling use of meeting rooms, maintenance agreements and contracts for repairs, opening and closing the library, security issues, restrooms, and the grounds. Model policies, checklists, and sample forms are included.

Collaborative Electronic Resource Management: From Acquisitions to AssessmentJoan E. CongerLibraries UnlimitedPaper256 pp.$45ISBN 1591581141.This book approaches electronic resource management as a system affecting all library work, linking it to concepts of collaborative management and the assessment cycle. The author demonstrates how collection development, acquisitions, licensing, budgeting, and cataloging techniques, technological infrastructure, and user services for electronic resources fit into the new collaborative management that relies on learning more than control to respond to change. The techniques presented for managing electronic resources will improve the library’s service value through relationships between library professionals and with library customers. Engaging the librarian in a cycle of constant learning and assessment, the approach ultimately makes work lighter, relationships with colleagues and customers more productive, and library services more relevant to community needs.

Partnering with Purpose: A Guide to Strategic Partnership Development for Libraries and Other OrganizationsJanet L. Crowther and Barry TrottLibraries UnlimitedPaper160 pp.$32ISBN 1591580900Crowther and Trott show how to maximize your library’s resources, gain access to more resources in your community, promote services, and reach new segments of the population through partnerships – with businesses, with schools, with other non-profit organizations. Drawing on their experiences in developing successful partnerships with a variety of organizations, these authors show you how to go about creating productive and mutually beneficial community partnerships. They also explain how to avoid some of the common partnership pitfalls along the way. Based on what has become widely known as the WRL model, the guide begins with the rationale for partnerships and the organizational library structures needed; it then shows you how and with whom to form partnerships, how to handle challenges that may arise, how to meet partners, and how to create and maintain mechanisms for tracking and evaluating partnerships. The authors use the analogy of courtship to clarify the various phases of partnership development: glances, dating, engagement, and marriage. Includes samples and reproducible forms.

Edited by Eileen FitzsimonsFitzsimons Editorial Consultants, Chicago, Illinois, USA