Reference and Collection Development on the Internet A How-To-Do-It Manual

Library Journal

Librarians like to believe that when people have questions or need information, they head straight for the library. However, "their natural inclination is not to visit the library.... It is to ask a friend, neighbor...for information...." Thomsen, a former public librarian and current member services manager of the North of Boston Library Exchange, refers to the Internet as a "communication tool," i.e., the friend or neighbor to turn to. Her manual is written "to give reference and collection development librarians a sense of the Internet as a community of individuals and organizations who share information through online conversations and online resources." Thomsen's well-written text begins with a history/overview, followed by chapters on E-mail groups, rec.arts.books, USENET groups, FAQs, gopher and World Wide Web, and library catalogs, databases and electronic books on the Internet. Copious figures/examples appear throughout. Included are two appendixes, one focusing on addresses and descriptions of traditional vertical file-type sites and one providing a "representative" selection of Internet booklists. With the plethora of Internet manuals available, one might be wary of yet another; however, this guide is unique in that it discusses the potential of the Internet as a useful tool for both reference and collection development librarians. The USENET and rec.arts.books chapters do a particularly good job applying the Internet to reference and collection development functions. Thomsen offers a solid, basic introduction to reference and collection development on the net, yet much of this information can be culled from professional periodicals and general Internet publications. At $45, some libraries might find this purchase excessive and of minimal value to their collections.Janet L. Brewer, Murray State Univ. Lib., Ky.

Booknews

A practical guide for using the Internet, focusing on the Internet as a communications tool and as a resource to develop library collections. Discusses basics including e-mail, WAIS, and FTP, and describes how reference and collection development librarians can use the Internet and its special resources such as library catalogs and electronic books to serve patrons. Includes listings of Web sites selected on the basis of content needed in reference works, and a subject arrangement of booklists on the Internet. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)