Libraries Without Walls 7

Citation

Freeman, M. (2009), "Libraries Without Walls 7", New Library World, Vol. 110 No. 3/4, pp. 197-198. https://doi.org/10.1108/03074800910928658

Another sound, well organised book for practitioners emanating from the reputable stable of CILIP. A good, wide and international range of experienced LIS practitioners present various papers centred around the theme of library services delivery in its widest and most innovative sense.

Caroline Williams presents an interesting and timely account of managing and fostering transition within a devolved cluster of websites and the problems and rewards of leading change and transition in a LIS organisation.

Juggling the ethical problems presented to LIS staff by distance learning students makes an absorbing paper from Gill Needham and Kay Johnson – an area relatively untouched and capable of greater development. Cultural, political and religious differences could present severe problems to a library endeavouring to service distance learning students – China being a good example.

The book has a welcome international flavour and there is a good article by Anusha Wijayaratne of the Open University of Sri Lanka on virtual and digital reference library services in a developing country.

In conclusion, an interesting, if often technical, work in an area of growing concern and relevance to LIS practitioners. The book has a good, clear Index and is well printed and laid out – I just wish it had a Glossary of all those pesky acronyms, however!