The Library and Information Work Primer (2nd ed.)

Citation

Lobban, M. (2002), "The Library and Information Work Primer (2nd ed.)", Journal of Documentation, Vol. 58 No. 4, pp. 495-496. https://doi.org/10.1108/jd.2002.58.4.495.7

This book is intended as a guide for new professionals and those working and studying at assistant level. It also touches on many aspects of information work and offers an interesting perspective on the issues affecting library work. However, trying to encompass such a wide remit in a fairly slim volume inevitably means that some topics appear to be treated superficially or with the wrong emphasis.

The layout of the book is excellent with a good contents list and index being complemented by clear chapter and paragraph headings. However, the content of each section is variable and presents a limited view of developments within libraries. This is particularly noticeable in sections such as library co‐operation and computerised cataloguing. In these sections there is scant reference to the benefits that accrue from standardised catalogue records and their ease of exchange. Projects currently being funded to investigate shared data and co‐operative cataloguing schemes are not mentioned. Also missing is any reference to the best of original co‐operative scheme, SINTO. Clearer delineation of case studies would have helped to clarify the distinction between the specific and the general. The inclusion of more detailed references and further reading would also have helped to overcome the inevitable lack of detail that arises from trying to cover a wide range of subjects.

Two new chapters in this edition are “Recruitment and supervision of staff” and the “Management perspective”. The latter encompasses financial and evaluative matters and is a marked improvement on the treatment of the topic in the last edition. It also touches on the impact of ICT in public libraries and really addresses some of the issues which should have been picked up in the new IT chapter. Although the inclusion of a chapter devoted to IT in the library is a great improvement over the first edition, unfortunately it still fails to convey any sense of wonder at the potential impact of IT on information work. The approach adopted focuses on essential but fairly pedestrian details without giving the impression that IT is not an optional extra but is central to the development of the profession. Perhaps closer editing of the two contributed chapters would have resulted in the better integration of these two critical topics to the rest of the book.

The chapter on “Recruitment and supervision” could have made more explicit the changing skills base required of staff. Brief mention is made of the increased emphasis on IT and customer care but little is made of these in relation to recruitment or ongoing staff development or training.

Overall, it is a worthwhile introduction but should be read with a very open and enquiring mind by anyone intent on a career in information work.