Theological Librarians and the Internet: Implications for Practice

Citation

Cronau, D.A. (2002), "Theological Librarians and the Internet: Implications for Practice", Online Information Review, Vol. 26 No. 4, pp. 281-281. https://doi.org/10.1108/oir.2002.26.4.281.5

This book by various authorities in the field of theological librarianship thoroughly explores the most important questions related to the Internet for theological librarians and should increase the reader’s knowledge and understanding when evaluating the Web’s current impact on institutions, library services, and customers.

It commences with a paper by the editor entitled “Internet shock: change, continuity, and the theological librarian” that discusses information technology and theological libraries. It compares and contrasts the state of the field during the 1990s with the current situation. It then describes ways that the Internet is changing the work of all librarians, but also suggests ways in which librarians can continue to find purpose and meaning in the timeless principles and values of librarianship.

After this there are 12 articles under the heading, “New technologies and theological research”. To demonstrate the diversity and all‐encompassing nature of this book, these warrant listing:

1. 1.

   (1) Religious and theological journals online: ATLA serials project;

2. 2.

   (2) The function of Web catalogs in theological libraries;

3. 3.

   (3) Electronic journals in religious studies;

4. 4.

   (4) Theological distance education: a librarian’s perspective;

5. 5.

   (5) The creation of the Wabash Center Internet guide;

6. 6.

   (6) Homiletics and liturgics on the Internet;+

7. 7.

   (7) Accessing digital images: sources for Christian art on the Internet;

8. 8.

   (8) Opening the front door: designing a usable library Web site;

9. 9.

   (9) Using the Web in religious studies courses;

10. 10.

    (10) Some selected Internet resources for novice researchers of Christian history;

11. 11.

    (11) Theoretical and conceptual foundations for Web site design in religious and theological academic libraries;

12. 12.

    (12) Virtually Jewish: the creation of a Jewish Internet tutorial.

There are many little inclusions or features that make this well worth purchasing. There are source lists such as one by Deahl related to Christian art on the Internet. There are also thorough and useful bibliographies and annotated bibliographies (such as Dickason’s Web catalogues) throughout the work and a five‐page index. The format, as usual from this publisher, is ideal. Each chapter begins with a summary and keywords, and a background and address for each contributing author is provided. There is excellent use of point forms, diagrams, charts and clear, bold subheadings. All told, this is a good resource to bring one up to date – it is well worth considering by theological librarians in particular.