Delivering Digital Services

Citation

Freeman, M. (2006), "Delivering Digital Services", New Library World, Vol. 107 No. 5/6, pp. 267-267. https://doi.org/10.1108/03074800610665284

Another worthy and technical book rolled out from CILIP's publishing arm and consisting of series of variable articles from a wide spectrum of contributors. The editors have been chosen well and the book's intent, as Professor Joe Hendry points out in his Foreword, is “to reach those professionals whose formative education was in a time before the ICT revolution”. My own ears burning at this prescient comment, I hurriedly agree and concur that this book is of good value and relevance to those “old lags and dinosaurs” (my phrase) who desperately need updating and refurbishing if they are to cope effectively with the fast changing e‐library environment.

The book's three sections, ranging from policy and context, gaining ICT skills and advanced technical skills, map out the subject well, and there is a strong public library angle. Probably the most interesting and relevant paper is the first – the role of the 21st century library and life‐long learning. Nice to see the access, licensing and copyright problems dealt with so succinctly by McMenemy and Burton, with some useful case studies and exercises on search engines being particularly helpful. Poulter and Anderson's article on e‐government lays out some intriguing aspects for librarians to consider and a short case study on e‐government in the Scottish parliament context.

In conclusion, this is a useful if fairly technical book, with the added bonus of good case studies. Well produced and with a good, clear index, this work should find a ready audience amongst public library and learning centre staffs.