$42.50 ISBN o-8108-24868. LC 91-42224. Perm. paper.

+Thisfourth collectionofarticleson contem- porary issues in reference work “is both a work of reference and a work of art.” Out- standing among the 24 articles (from 15 jour- nals) are Charles D’Aniello’s “exhortation to librarians to be.. . culturally literate,” Pauline Wilson’s exploration of information-versus- knowledge, and James Rettig’s tabulation of 17 experts’ choices for desert island reference sources. The first of five sections, The Refer- ence and Information Process, offers articles comparing information and retrieval services to traditional reference work and a critique of reference evaluation studies. Part2, Comput- erized Reference Services, includes three pa- persthatcriticizethenewelectronicresources, some contrasting optimism from two H.W. Wilson employees, a study comparing the best uses of online and printed sources, and a seminar report on the electronic library. Part 3, Reference and Information Policies, ex- plores such controversial areas as fee-versus- free and the privatization of information ser- vices. Part4, The Reference Interview, “covers nonverbal communication, intercultural con- siderations, user attributes, the librarian’s image,” and more. Notable contributions to the final part, Reference Sources, include an entertaining description of the literary style of reference works and a bibliographic essay on Carolyn Ulrich. Recommendation-This collection of enjo

Y -

able, pertinent, and insightful articles shou d be kept within arm’s reach of the reference librarian. Reviewer-Bob Duckett Library Review, Vol. 41, no. 4,1992, p. 57-59 *See also Jan. 1993 p. 404; Sep. 1992 p. 269; May 1992 p. 133

Reference and Information Services: An Introduction, ed. by Richard E. Bopp and L.C. Smith. Englewood, CO: Libraries Un- limited, 1991. 483~. $47.50; $30 (paper) ISBN @87287-875-9; @87287-788-4 (paper). LC 91-14086.

Thisaddition to thesmall numberof introduc- tions to reference and information services has a pleasing physical format, with clear headings and a good layout. Author/title and subject indexes facilitate access. Text in the 20 chapters is supported by annotated lists of readings, practical test exercises or projects, and figures showing reference source entries, catalog records, and online search strategies. The first ten chapter focus on concepts, e.g., the reference interview, bibliographic con- trol, training and education, evaluation, and organization and management. The second ten concentrate on sources, with oneon gen- eral selection and evaluation and the remain- deron typesofsources-almanacs, bibliogra- phies and catalogs, dictionaries, government documents, and so forth; the source chapters are divided uniformly into sections on uses and characteristics, evaluation, selection, importantsources, andsearchstrategies.Treat-

ment in all chapters is “wide ranging and comprehensive,” and the editors merit praise for covering so much in one volume. The focus could be improved, however, by com- bining the contents of some of the concepts and sources chapters. Recommendation-Despite some shortcom- ings, “this title, because of its wide sweep through the area of reference work, is an important additional source. . . for the prac- titioner and library science student.” Reviewer-John Mills Australian Library Review, Aug. 1992, p. 252 *See also Nov. 1992 p. 334; July 1992 p. 197; Nov. 1991 p. 340

Security and Disaster Preparedness

Library Disaster Handbook Planning, Re- sources, Recovery, by Nelly Ballofet, with a section on photographic materials by A.B. Hofmann. Highland, NV: Southeast- ern New York Library Resources Council. 1992.54~. Free (Avail. from Southeastern New York Llbrary Resources Council, P.O. Box 879, Highland, NV 12528.)

n Prepared specifically for libraries in south- eastern New York, this guide “covers plan- ning and preparation for disaster, as well as recovery and salvage of materials.” The text is brief and direct, and readers can register to receive updates. Especially valuable are Ana Hofmann’s timely and informative chapter on photographic materials, the clear explanation of assembling a salvage kit, and the lists of supplies, suppliers, and organizations and individuals in the region who can assist dur- ing disasters. The workconcludes with a brief but current bibliography and an index. Recommendation-Libraries, archives, mu- seums, and historical societies in the Middle Atlantic states will find this a helpful addition to the resources on disaster planning and recovery. It can also serve as a model for institutions in other regions. Reviewer-Susan G. Swartzburg ConservationAdministration News, Jan. 1993, p. 22

Serials

Advances in Serials Management: A Re- search Annual,Vd. 4,1992red. by Marcia Tuttle and J.G. Cook. Greenwich. CT: JAI press, 1992.192~. S63.5OlSBN l-&38-189- 2.

n The subtitle notwithstanding, this is not really a “research annual”: it is “now appar- ently published biennially,” and the articles

are not necessarily based on research. It is, however, an interesting collection, whose papers explore diverse topics concerning se- rials but do not center around an

fy particular

theme. Six of the eight articles “0 er stimulat- ing and thoughtful ideas for reflection”: Gor- don Graham presents hard facts on European serials publishing (countering the American rhetoric); Marcia Tuttle provides a case study on electronic publishing; Niles and others discuss serials records in integrated catalogs; Cole writes about ISDS; Leach and Tallman offer a guide to claiming; and Cipolla contrib- utes a fresh essay on library catalogs and electronic access to periodical articles. The remaining two articles-Cowan and Markwith’s “Coffee at the Carolina Inn: The Discussion to End All Discussions” and Boissonnas’ “But Serials Are Different”-are not worthy of publication. The absence of an editorial introduction, abstracts, and an index is inexcusable in this important series. Recommendation-“This compendium offers a mixed bag which on balance is worth ac- quiring and reading.” Reviewer-GE. Gorman Australian Library Review, Nov. 1992, p. 336

Special Libraries and Collections

The Development of Islamic Library Cd- lections In Western Europe and North America, byStephen Roman. Londonand N.V.: Mansell. 1990.259~. $9OlSBN @7201- 2065-9.

+ The understated title of this immensely readable book does not suggest the wealth of its contents: in exploring the “political, eco- nomic, and social contexts of the develop ment of Islamic library collections in Europe and North America,” it traces some 14 centu- ries of cultural exchange between Western societies and the Muslim world. As defined in the introduction, “Islamic collections” con- tain writings by Muslims “working within a Muslim intellectual tradition and living in a predominantly Muslim society.” Manuscripts are emphasized, though early printed works are also noted. Languages of the writings include not only Arabic, Persian, Turkish, Swahili, Urdu, Pushtu, Malay, Javanese, and other languages of Indonesia. Detailed chap- ters on collections in each of eight Western European countries, Canada, and the U.S. follow a uniform pattern: a historical over- viewwithvignettesofmajorcollectors;analy- ses of important public collections; and re- ports on the current state of Islamic research. An index completes the book. The text em- phasizes two points: “the great public institu- tions owe their riches to the very human endeavorsof individual collectors”; and there is no”single Western tradition in thedevelop- ment of Islamic collections.” The chapter on

62 the Journal of Academic Librarianship, March 1993