state library services and issues: facing future challenges

2
118 Reviews were never enacted into policy: for example, the Euro-loaf, an idea for a uniform loaf of bread and Euro-beer (both rejected in 1976). There were a few handy items in the first edition omitted from this one, such as the list of protected bird species, and the agreement on “summertime” (daylight savings time in American English). There is a reference in the second edition to the source of the protected bird list in the Officiul Journal, but %tmmertime” was apparently not important enough to survive in the second edition. The glossary has numerous figures- flow charts, tables of regulations, and organization tables. For example, the flow chart explaining harmonization policy (standardizing legislation) to achieve a com- mon market is followed by 22 pages of tables that list by subject all of the standardizing legislation pro- posed, as well as its status. Finally, there is an extensive index to both the directories and the glossary. There are other books available that do some of the same things as this one. A Dictionary of the ~uFo~ean Economic Community by John Paxton (Facts on File, 1978) has definitions, but the informa- tion is not as complete. The Common Market Digest by David Overton (Fact on File, 1984) is very good at explaining the institutions and the workings of the EC. A comprehensive EC collection should have all three, but if I had to choose only one it would be this second edition of The European Community by Morris and Boehm. It is recommended for all large research libraries and for all libraries specializing in international business. DIANE GARNER International Documents Librarian The Pennsylvania State University University Park, PA 16802 USA State Library Services and Issues: Facing Future Challenges. Edited by Charles R. McClure, Norwood, NJ: Ablex, 1986. 312 pp. ISBN 098391-317-o. $45.00 (institutions); $29.50 (individuals). This volume is a welcome addition to the sparsity of information available in the literature about State Library Agencies (SLAs). Seventeen notable authors whose roles range from directors of SLAs to library science school professors developed the fifteen chapters of this work. Two chapters are devoted to the historical content for the SLA and the extensive activities currently undertaken by them today. Although readers are frequently reminded that SLAs vary greatly in focus and concerns and that there is no generic State Library Agency, an excellent effort has been made to touch on most of the common denominators in t.hese agencies. Particular attention is given to the provi- sion of library services for the handicapped and institutionalized, the role of SLAs in continuing educa- tion and library development, the functions of distributing and evaluating Library Services and Con- struction Act (LSCA) monies, and the response of SLAs to multiple library networking and constant changes in information technology. Robert L. Clark, Jr., Director of the Oklahoma Department of Libraries, presents an amusing and provocative discussion of the political role of the state librarian. Clark offers survival techniques that should prove useful to heads of SLAs. Funding for library services is always an issue. Two chapters focus on this area. One discusses the im- pact of federal government assistance, apart from LSCA. Sources identified include the Library of Congress, the U.S. Government Printing Office, and the National Library of Medicine. All in their way have increased the dependency of SLAs on federal dollars in an era when those dollars are being reduced or withdrawn. The other chapter discusses state government expenditures for libraries in general and SLA’s specifi- cally. It is emphatically pointed out that State Library Agencies should decrease their dependence on LSCA funds for provision of agency services, channeling those monies to the field. How those dollars are distributed is also analyzed as well as issues regarding accountability of expenditures and the input or control displayed by state legislatures in that distribution. The SLA is described as a “sleeping giant” that has yet to exert an effective leadership role either on the state or national level. Avenues to this role are examined and considerable attention is given to plan- ning and development, the necessity for state library administration commitment, and the involvement of key players such as professional associations, working librarians at various levels, business, represen- tatives of the state’s executive and legislative branches and statewide cultural, educational and recrea- tional organizations. No planning can be complete without performance and evaluation. Editor McClure describes three

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Page 1: State library services and issues: Facing future challenges

118 Reviews

were never enacted into policy: for example, the Euro-loaf, an idea for a uniform loaf of bread and Euro-beer (both rejected in 1976).

There were a few handy items in the first edition omitted from this one, such as the list of protected bird species, and the agreement on “summertime” (daylight savings time in American English). There is a reference in the second edition to the source of the protected bird list in the Officiul Journal, but %tmmertime” was apparently not important enough to survive in the second edition.

The glossary has numerous figures- flow charts, tables of regulations, and organization tables. For example, the flow chart explaining harmonization policy (standardizing legislation) to achieve a com- mon market is followed by 22 pages of tables that list by subject all of the standardizing legislation pro- posed, as well as its status. Finally, there is an extensive index to both the directories and the glossary.

There are other books available that do some of the same things as this one. A Dictionary of the ~uFo~ean Economic Community by John Paxton (Facts on File, 1978) has definitions, but the informa- tion is not as complete. The Common Market Digest by David Overton (Fact on File, 1984) is very good at explaining the institutions and the workings of the EC. A comprehensive EC collection should have all three, but if I had to choose only one it would be this second edition of The European Community by Morris and Boehm. It is recommended for all large research libraries and for all libraries specializing in international business.

DIANE GARNER International Documents Librarian The Pennsylvania State University

University Park, PA 16802 USA

State Library Services and Issues: Facing Future Challenges. Edited by Charles R. McClure, Norwood, NJ: Ablex, 1986. 312 pp. ISBN 098391-317-o. $45.00 (institutions); $29.50 (individuals).

This volume is a welcome addition to the sparsity of information available in the literature about State Library Agencies (SLAs). Seventeen notable authors whose roles range from directors of SLAs to library science school professors developed the fifteen chapters of this work.

Two chapters are devoted to the historical content for the SLA and the extensive activities currently undertaken by them today. Although readers are frequently reminded that SLAs vary greatly in focus and concerns and that there is no generic State Library Agency, an excellent effort has been made to touch on most of the common denominators in t.hese agencies. Particular attention is given to the provi- sion of library services for the handicapped and institutionalized, the role of SLAs in continuing educa- tion and library development, the functions of distributing and evaluating Library Services and Con- struction Act (LSCA) monies, and the response of SLAs to multiple library networking and constant changes in information technology.

Robert L. Clark, Jr., Director of the Oklahoma Department of Libraries, presents an amusing and provocative discussion of the political role of the state librarian. Clark offers survival techniques that should prove useful to heads of SLAs.

Funding for library services is always an issue. Two chapters focus on this area. One discusses the im- pact of federal government assistance, apart from LSCA. Sources identified include the Library of Congress, the U.S. Government Printing Office, and the National Library of Medicine. All in their way have increased the dependency of SLAs on federal dollars in an era when those dollars are being reduced or withdrawn.

The other chapter discusses state government expenditures for libraries in general and SLA’s specifi- cally. It is emphatically pointed out that State Library Agencies should decrease their dependence on LSCA funds for provision of agency services, channeling those monies to the field. How those dollars are distributed is also analyzed as well as issues regarding accountability of expenditures and the input or control displayed by state legislatures in that distribution.

The SLA is described as a “sleeping giant” that has yet to exert an effective leadership role either on the state or national level. Avenues to this role are examined and considerable attention is given to plan- ning and development, the necessity for state library administration commitment, and the involvement of key players such as professional associations, working librarians at various levels, business, represen- tatives of the state’s executive and legislative branches and statewide cultural, educational and recrea- tional organizations.

No planning can be complete without performance and evaluation. Editor McClure describes three

Page 2: State library services and issues: Facing future challenges

Reviews 119

state models in various stages of development and outlines issues to be resolved before performance ap- praisal is a reality in most states.

Effective leaders are made and not born seems to be the premise of the chapter on “Education for State Librarianship.” The authors espouse two approaches for library schools to utilize in grooming these leaders. First, discussion of various aspects of state library functions and activities should be in- corporated into regular course work as appropriate. Secondly, a very detailed and challenging cur- riculum is outlined for library educators.

The analyses and discussions have relied upon the latest surveys for hard data. The State Aid 1983: A Survey Report, CLENE Survey of State Librarians on Continuing Education Needs, 1982 and the 1983 edition of The State Library Agencies: A Survey Report are among the sources from which the authors have drawn their statistics.

You will be disappointed if you are investigating the internal responsibilities of SLAs. This volume is almost entirely devoted to external issues with exceptions being recognition of the libraries’ responsibility for accessing machine-readable information created by state agencies or the role of the SLA in inter- library loan and database design and management.

The subtitle, “Facing Future Challenges,” certainly emphasizes the focus of this work. All state li- brarians should be aware of it, and it should be required reading for those gearing their careers to ser- vice in State Library Agencies or those who have already found the SLA to be a rewarding and challeng- ing aspect of librarianship.

F. ANNE DIAMOND Library Administrator

Government Documents Service Library of Michigan

P.O. Box 30007 Lansing, MI 48909

USA

Managing Local Government Records: A Manual for Local Government Officials in New York State. Albany, NY: The University of the State of New York, The State Education Department, State Ar- chives, 1985. 106~~. Available on request from New York State Archives, Room lOA63, Cultural Education Center, Albany, NY 12230.

The library and archival fields often share similar objectives, but the approaches vary considerably. Yet those in the library profession must at times rely on the organizational skills of archivists whose outlook has been expertly honed and developed through a very different form of specialized training and experience. This is readily made apparent in the new manual, Managing Local Government Records

The manual is intended to provide local government officials with a basic introduction to all aspects of records management, including the administration of an archival program. This it does admirably. The manual is clearly written, is short and of convenient size, and is being widely distributed, free of charge. As a practical guide it provides a brief overview of major issues, arguments, approaches and techniques of the trade. Local government records of all types are considered, although printed govern- ment documents are only tangentially considered as part of the larger category of records needing preservation.

Many of the basic steps of an effective records management program are outlined, along with the underlying precepts, and a number of suggestions are offered in applying them. Particular considera- tion is given to the relationships that may exist between local officials, the records manager in a town, and the archivist. Occasionally all may be combined in one party, though more often these may be dif- ferent individuals with separate clienteles and agendas that may not always be in agreement. It is often necessary to sell the idea of an archival program, particularly to underfinanced, harassed local officials. Here this handbook is eminently practical and outspokenly clear. Stress is given to how efficent and economical an archive program can be for government administration. Unfortunately this manual also cautions the archivist to avoid seeking primary support from the peripheral community surrounding local government: do not solicit help from historians, for example, for their outcry and support will elicit so little notice within the community.

Archives need advocates. But the practicum offered in this manual will not necessarily bring forth cheers from the library circle. Age-old divisions between our disciplines are unintentionally emphasized.