Review of Dictionary for Library and Information Science (Paperback)

The 'Dictionary for Library and Information Science' is a very resourceful dictionary which provides detailed definitions to terminology that is utilized in the library and information sciences.Anytime there is a word that I do not know that I read in my textbooks, I always refer to this book for an answer.I recommend buying this book because it would be a real investment.

Product Description
Now available for the first time in print, the dictionary is the most comprehensive and reliable English-language resource for terminology used in all types of libraries. With more than 4,000 terms and cross-references (last updated January, 2003), the dictionary's content has been carefully selected and includes terms from publishing, printing, literature, and computer science where, in the author's judgment, they are relevant to both library professionals and laypersons.

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Review of Encyclopedia of Library and Information Science: Volume 54 - Supplement 17: Access to Patron Use Software to Wolfenbottel: the Library at (Hardcover)

Many articles in this 2. edition are just reprints of articles from the 1 edition. It is a real problem that the articles are not dated or have otherwise been indicated whether they are new in this edition (from 2003) or have just been reprinted without updating from the first edition which was published in 73 volumes from 1968 until 2003. (Vol 1-33 A-Z; Vol. 34+35 = Index; Vol 36-73 = supplements)

For example, the article "Philosophy of Science" was pubished in 1977. It is reprinted in the 2nd edition without any changes in content (only typographical changes such as two columns). In the 2nd edition we are misinformed that this entry is "Print Published: 05/20/2003 | Online Published: 06/23/2003". The readers are thus misled concerning what they are reading. This is tru for many articles, I guess much more than 50%.

The only way you can tell whether the article is revised or updated is by looking at the references and see if new references are included - in most cases they are not (alternatively, of course compare the articles in the two editions page by page).

Both the first edition and the second edition have a heavy emphazis on specific libraries in specific countries and is weak in theoretical and conceptual issues.

When this is said, it should be said that there are many important articles in this work and it is an obvious advantage that it is available online and the papers available as pdf-files. I have now read usefull articles that I would not have read if I had to make paper copies from the old edition.

Product Description
The Encyclopedia of Library and Information Science provides an outstanding resource in 33 published volumes with 2 helpful indexes. This thorough reference set--written by 1300 eminent, international experts--offers librarians, information/computer scientists, bibliographers, documentalists, systems analysts, and students, convenient access to the techniques and tools of both library and information science.Impeccably researched, cross referenced, alphabetized by subject, and generously illustrated, the Encyclopedia of Library and Information Science integrates the essential theoretical and practical information accumulating in this rapidly growing field. The self-contained Supplements (each Supplement contains A-Z coverage) highlight new trends, describe the latest advances, and profile key people making critical contributions to the field.Recent individual Supplements considered topics such as Archival Science to User NeedsConcept-Based Indexing and Retrieval of Hypermedia Information to Using Self-Checkout Technology to Increase Productivity and Patron Service in the Library Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Approach to Fraud Investigation to Visual Search in Modern Human-Computer Interfaces* Supplement Volumes 36-61 are available; additional supplements in preparation.

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Review of Library 101: A Handbook for the School Library Media Specialist (Paperback)

If you are entering the school library media specialist field or if you are thinking about it, Library 101: A Handbook for the School Library Media Specialist by Claire Gatrell Stephens and Patricia Franklin is a great resource to guide you through your new job. This handbook provides detailed information about the responsibilities and expectations associated with a school library media specialist position. It explores many aspects of the job such as collection development, budgets, processing books, teaching classes, and managing equipment. A school library media specialists wears many hats and Library 101 covers all of them.

The authors, Claire Gatrell Stephens and Patricia Franklin put their expertise and love of their jobs into this book. Both are National Board Certified school library media specialists and work at high school Library Media Centers in Florida. They both had the opportunity to open up new Library Media Centers in new schools, giving them insight into the essential needs of a LMC from the ground up. Neither started their careers as school library media specialists, but they found their way into the Library Media Center and haven't looked back.

Library 101: A Handbook for the School Library Media Specialist is organized into four parts, Day to Day Basics; The Media Specialist as Teacher Collaborator; Long-term Vision - Managing Your Collection; and Part 4 - Equipping Your Library Media Center. It is a well-organized book with clearly designated chapters and sub chapters as shown in the table of contents. The authors utilize tables and sidebars well. The reader gains a lot of insight from the sidebars, which include tips from other Media Specialists, sample lesson plans, surveys, guidelines, and other helpful tidbits. Black and white photographs, computer screen shots, and scanned documents are interspersed throughout the book and provide a good visuals for the reader. The layout of the book is nicely done; the fonts are easy to read and the text is broken up by the sidebars, tables, and pictures. The Appendices at the end of the book include a listing of National Level Professional Organizations, State Professional Organizations, Helpful Resources, Awards and Prizes, as well as a Glossary of Library Terms.

The authors explore many topics relevant to new School Library Media Specialist. In Part I, The Day to Day Basics - some of the more helpful topics were Teaching and Learning, Establishing Circulation Policies, Media Management Systems- using your software and handling textbooks are subtopics. The debate between Fixed or Flex scheduling is discussed in Chapter 5 - Scheduling: Philosophy and Practicality. Two sidebars written by library media specialists offer differing views on flex and fixed scheduling and why it works for them. Chapter 6 looks at Staffing Your Library Media Center while Chapter 7 Arranges Your Media Center, looking at furniture, computers, shelving, and decorating. Part II - The Media Specialist as Teacher Collaborator touches on the topics of Standards, Developing and Promoting Your Media Program, Research, and TV Production. Chapter 8:Standards - State, National, and Your Own only provides basic information because every state and school district has different standards, but Gatrell Stephens and Franklin offer good advice. They suggest writing your own personal standards for you LMC. "Clearly stating your vision through written standards defines your professional principles and allows everyone to work with you, and that cooperation will truly make your program thrive" (81). The Developing and Promoting Your Media Program chapter examines how library media specialists should promote their program to their stakeholders - administration, teachers, students, parents, and the community. The authors offer good advice and several resources to help accomplish this advocacy. There is a very short chapter about Research that provides a table comparing five of the information skills process models. The last chapter of Part II is a long, detailed (25 pages) chapter about Television Production. Claire Gatrell Stephens teaches the TV Production class at her high school so she brings her expertise and advice into this chapter. TV Production classes are usually found at the middle and high school level, so this chapter may not be relevant to elementary school media specialists. Part III studies the Collection Development, including Weeding, Resources, Budgets and Purchasing, and the Cataloging/Processing aspects of the school library media specialist job. The budget chapter is helpful if you have no prior knowledge of how to assess and create a budget. Part IV covers the subject of Equipment. Being a school library media specialist isn't only about books. Media covers a whole gamut of equipment and technology. Chapter 16 explores all the different mediums that the school library media specialist will come in contact with while on the job - computers, projectors, interactive white boards, visual presenters, scanners, digital cameras and camcorders are just a few. It is important to have a working knowledge of all different types of equipment and technology. The authors stress the importance of learning and keeping up with the influx of new technology. "...We must embrace emerging technologies to assist our students in meeting their academic goals" (182).

Although, Gatrell and Franklin hit on many topics associated with the library media program and the responsibilities of the school library media specialist, several topics could have been discussed more.These topics, such as grant writing, teaching, and classroom management, although briefly discussed, deserved a little more attention. The research chapter didn't discuss reference materials and the debate over moving from print materials to online resources.

Some of the topics included in this handbook may be common knowledge to a working school library media specialist, but for those just starting a new job or still in school, Library 101: A Handbook for the School Library Media Specialist is a wealth of knowledge. Readers come away with a clear vision of what a school library media specialist does everyday as well as how to make long-range program plans. This book should be required reading for all students pursuing a school library media specialist degree. Library 101: A Handbook for the School Library Media Specialist is full of words of wisdom from two media specialists who have been there and done that.




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Review of Googlepedia: The Ultimate Google Resource (3rd Edition) (Paperback)

As webweaver and search optimizer for my company, I'm always on Internet information overload. There's a lot to be said for any book that gives me ready access to the many topics I need to access only occasionally, as well as the many others I didn't even know I needed to know about. This book excels at taking you into the confusing fine points of using Google. Blogger tags vs. HTML? I finally got it. Self-hosting your blog? Got that, too. The subtleties of sitemaps ... at last! Yes, with a great deal of effort and eye strain you could find much of this information on Google itself. I, for one, am happy to have so much information compiled and printed next to my workstation and to have the author's knowing voice guide me over the speed bumps. A good investment because of the hours of searching it saved me, though probably doomed to a short shelf life. I only wish the book came with an update feature ...

Product Description

Googlepedia® Third Edition

The all-encompassing book about everything Google. Not only will you learn advanced search techniques, but you also will learn how to master Google's web and software tools. It's all inside!

Google Chrome

Google's new web browser

Google Gadgets

create your own gadgets

Google Gears

turn web applications into desktop applications

Android

use Google's phone

Blogger

create your own personal blog

Gmail

Google's web-based email service

Google Web Search

the most popular search on the Internet

Google AdSense

put profit-making ads on their own website

Google AdWords

buy keyword advertising on the Google site

Google Product Search

find hot deals without ever leaving your office chair

Google Calendar

a web-based scheduling and public calendar service

Google Desktop

search documents and emails on your PC's hard drive

Google Docs

create and share web-based word processing and spreadsheet documents

Google Earth

a fun way to view 3D maps of any location on Earth

YouTube

view and share videos over the Web

Google Groups

a collection of user-created message forums

Google Maps

maps, satellite images, and driving directions for any location

GOOGLE MAY BE THE INTERNET'S MOST POPULAR SEARCH SITE, BUT IT'S ALSO MORE THAN JUST SIMPLE WEB SEARCHES.

• Use Google developer tools and APIs

• Create MySpace and Facebook applications with OpenSocial

• Use Google Gears to turn web-based applications into desktop applications

• Use Google to search for news headlines, scholarly articles, and the best prices on the Web

• Read and respond to blog postings and create your own blogs with Blogger

• View the latest viral videos with YouTube

• Use Android, the new Google phone

• Use Google with the Apple iPhone and iPod Touch

• Create maps and driving directions with Google Maps

• Use Google's free web-based email service Gmail

• Create your own custom Google Maps mashups–and put customized Google search on your own website

Michael Miller has written more than 80 nonfiction how-to books, including Que's Absolute Beginner's Guide to Computer Basics, YouTube for Business, and Photopedia: The Ultimate Digital Photography Resource.

Category: Internet

Covers: Google

User Level: Intermediate to Advanced

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