Citation
Fitzsimons, K. (2001), "The Libraries Directory: A Guide to the Libraries and Archives of the United Kingdom and Ireland, 1998‐2000", New Library World, Vol. 102 No. 11/12, pp. 478-482. https://doi.org/10.1108/nlw.2001.102.11_12.478.2
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
The Libraries Directory provides a comprehensive listing of libraries and archives throughout the UK and Ireland.
This new edition (formerly The Libraries Yearbook), now boasts a considerable number of new entries and includes two new sections: Irish Legal Deposit Libraries and Irish Library and Information Organisations.
The directory is divided into sections, Legal Deposit Libraries, Public Libraries, Archives and Local History, Special Libraries and Library and Information Organisations.
The information presented within the directory is based on feedback from a questionnaire for the 1998‐1999 and 1999‐2000 financial years. The directory contains a substantial amount of information. The Public Libraries and the Legal Deposit Libraries entries are more detailed than the other sections. The type of information provided, ranges from special collection details to equipment and facilities available to library users, as well as financial expenditure and capital project details.
The Public Libraries sections are arranged alphabetically under local authority names; for example, Macclesfield Library would be found under Cheshire. Providing you know the local authority’s name you should have no difficulty in locating any public or branch library.
The Special Libraries and the Archives and Local History sections are arranged alphabetically under town names. Alongside each entry are symbols, illustrating what type of library it represents, for example, a bowler hat and umbrella denotes a corporate/business library. For quick reference a key to these symbols is displayed on the bottom of each page.
Library and Information Organisations are arranged alphabetically under the organisation’s name. This section provides an extensive listing of the main professional societies and associations such as the Library Association, as well as smaller specialist groups/societies such as the Kent History Federation.
The directory is well designed, presented and indexed. All sections have a covering explanation and list of abbreviations. It is only as accurate as the details received. Some information may only be estimates, particularly the 1999‐2000 financial figures. It is not the most enthralling read, however it does have several points of interest and is a useful reference tool for comparing library services and facilities.