Libraries : Global Reach, Local Touch

A collection of articles discusses the status of libraries in sixteen countries addressing such topics as family literacy, services to children and young adults, women's issues, information technology, and freedom of expression

A mixed bag of essays describing library services, librarianship, and library issues around the world. Individual articles discuss the status of libraries in 16 countries; others focus on specific topics in an international setting: e.g., services to children and young adults, women's issues, family literacy, information technology, and freedom of expression. There is no consistent format for the selections. In some cases, authors introduce the country historically and politically before describing recent developments or delineating library services in a particular setting. In others, Americans share their experiences in libraries abroad. Some selections are academic in tone and heavily documented; others are informal and personal. Library schools will make the most use of this collection; however, general readers will find that the blend of varied approaches makes an important point about the variety and unevenness of library services around the world.
Kathleen Isaacs, Edmund Burke School, Washington, DC
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

The theme of Barbara Ford's 1997^-98 ALA presidency was "Global Reach, Local Touch," and it was intended to recognize the increasingly global nature of librarianship as various technological advances seemingly cause the world to shrink, many issues to assume global dimensions, and local activities to have global effects. This volume presents stories of libraries in such far-flung countries as Micronesia, Colombia, Azerbaijan, and Estonia. Additional chapters detail such topics of international interest as women in library service, family literacy, and the freedom of expression, including freedom of speech and copyright protection. An excellent introduction to knowledge that librarians need to act appropriately as world citizens. Edward Swanson

Barbara Ford, president of the American Library Association for 1997-98, came up with the brilliant idea of publishing a book on her presidential theme, "Libraries: Global Reach?Local Touch." In her opinion, "this collection of viewpoints from around the world will help us understand the various issues?and each other?as librarians play a larger role on the world stage." The book's 29 chapters deal with various aspects of librarianship in Azerbaijan, Colombia, Czech Republic, El Salvador, Estonia, India, Malaysia, Mexico, Poland, Romania, Russia, Turkey, South Africa, and the United States. In addition, there are essays on other issues such as African librarianship, library services to children and young adults, international library women, freedom of expression, family literacy, public libraries in the South Pacific, and developing library and information services in Micronesia. All essays are well written with good information, but a few of them do not have any references to support the authors' research. Although it's impossible to cover the library issues of every country on this planet (there are 193 nations) in one volume, many major countries including Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, Japan, and United Kingdom have been excluded from this important book. In addition, there are no articles on libraries and librarianship in the Middle East. Of the 41 contributors to this book, only 14 are from foreign countries and the rest are from the United States. More foreign librarians, library educators, and information specialists should have been invited to provide a more representative array of ideas and opinions from the global library community. Still, this is an interesting and meaningful book, for library schools and professional collections specializing in international librarianship.?R.N. Sharma, West Virginia State Coll. Lib., Institute
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.