Introduction to Library Public Services (Library and Information Science Text Series) - Hardcover

Carter, Thomas L.; Evans, G. Edward

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1591585961 ISBN 13: 9781591585961

Publisher: Libraries Unlimited, 2008

Synopsis

A library's primary function is to provide access to information considered useful or valuable to the society in which they exist. True to their introduction, Evans and Carter provide a solid, broadly based view of library public service and its functions. As in the preceding edition, its authors marry the importance of the help ethos with a plethora of technological tools and techniques. Coverage of such essential topics as circulation, reference, interlibrary loan, literacy instruction, reserves, and security has been extended, updated, and predicated on the importance of keeping a watchful eye on ethical and legal implications. New to this edition are discussions of staffing and training, customer service, programming, and assessment. The result brings into focus the duties and responsibilities of both professional librarians and support staff, with particular emphasis on areas of common concern.

About this title

About the Author

G. Edward Evans, a renowned Fulbright scholar and sought-after international consultant, is retired university librarian and adjunct professor at Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, California.

Thomas L. Carter is dean for Academic Resources at St. Mary's College of California.

Reviews

For this new edition, Evans and Carter have revised all chapters and have totally rewritten four: chapter 2, which explores the issues of staffing and training; chapter 3, which deals with customer service and quality service; chapter 14, which explores special services such as programming; and chapter 16, which deals with assessment and how it relates to quality service. Evans and Carter also note since the last edition the growing importance of volunteers and support staff in the work of public services and, having written the book in 2008, capture the economic downturn in their approach, mentioning how libraries will rely more on these cadres of important staff. This library-science text stands alone and should be an assigned text in most library schools. It would not be out of line for department managers in any type of library to assign readings to their frontline staff and have formal staff discussions or more informal water-cooler interchanges. --Jerry Carbone

Edition details

• Publisher: Libraries Unlimited
• Publication date: 2008
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1591585961
• ISBN 13: 9781591585961
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 424