College and Research Libraries 374 I College & Research Libraries • July 1976 ject "Sociology." This collection is described in a half page as a "strong subject in the Research Libraries," with a _few details given about the personal papers in the col- lection of some outstanding women, com- mentary on donors to the collection, and figures given for the number of entries (12,000) in the catalog under "Woman." Reference is made to holdings in the cate- gory concerned with the feminist move- ment. To inform the readers of this review what the volume is not seems also to be in order. It is not a checklist, a bibliography, a union list, a catalog. Few specific titles are mentioned except to make reference to manuscripts, outstanding works, or extreme- ly rare items. The volume is not a history of the Research Libraries of the New York Public Library. For historical treatises on the great NYPL, please be referred to works by Harry M. Lydenberg and Phyllis Dain. It is oot, as previously stated, an ab- solutely complete reflection of every collec- tion held by the Research Libraries. The guide is a needed new addition to library research tools so important today when computers, TWX lines, and other rapid communication media bind us ever closer and make an immediate response al- most necessary instead of only desirable. But one wonders why ALA put such a high price tag on the volume, particularly since philanthropy played a large part in bring- ing it into being. Perhaps there is some reason not known to us. But, nevertheless, a vote of thanks to Williams, Jackson, Hen- derson, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, Emily E. F. Skeel, et al.-Roscoe Rouse, University Librarian, Oklahoma State Uni- versity, Stillwater. Salmon, Stephen R. Library Automation Systems. Books in Library ,and Informa- tion Science, vol. 15. New York: Marcel Dekker, 1975. 291p. $24.50. (LC 75- 25168) (ISBN 0-8247-6358-0) The author's purpose for this bo~ is to present "a reasonably comprehensive dis- cussion of library automation systems for the librarian without previous knowledge or experience in the field, and for the in- telligent layman." The approach is histori- cal; systems covered range from the pio- neering ones to those in production at the moment the manuscript was submitted. Only systems that were implemented (even if they failed or were discontinued) or are in operation are included. Projects or sys- tems not operational are omitted from both the discussion and the bibliography. The discussion is limited to automated technical services and circulation activities. Comput- er-supported reference and information ser- vices are not discussed. This is not a book on how to automate a library. Each type of system is "discussed from a general historical viewpoint" so as to show "the implications of various devel- opments in each category." Thus, the lesson for the reader is in the examination of what has been implemented, what has failed, what has become obsolete, and what has succeeded. The book is divided into ten chapters: (1) Background and Beginnings; (2) Ac- quisition Systems; (3) Cataloging Systems before MARC; (4) MARC and Off-line Systems after MARC; (5) On-line Catalog- ing Systems; (6) The Effect of Automation on Cataloging Practice; (7) Serials Sys- tems; (8) Circulation Systems; (9) The Problems of Library Automation Systems; and, (10) The Prospects of Library Auto- mation Systems. Each chapter on systems begins with a list of general characteristics: typical activi- ties, functions, outputs, and limitations. Specific systems are discussed in roughly chronological order, beginning with unit record-based systems and ending with on- line systems. Commercially produced and marketed systems are also included. The discussion of most · systems is necessarily brief, but usually covers: type of equip- ment used (including terminals), cost of development, per-unit operating costs (when available), outputs, programming language, method of producing outputs (e.g., COM for book catalogs), filing rules used, successes, and failures. By intention, the author does not explore how data pro- cessing equipment works, just 'what equip- ment is used in each system. Each chapter ends with an extensive list of notes that comprise a helpful bibliog- raphy for further reading on each system. At the end of the book, there is a bibliog- raphy arranged by type of application. Ci- tations are listed within application in ·re- verse chronological order. The chapter on problems is general; it is organized around the difficulties of three groups of people: computer center and sys- tems personnel, suppliers of hardware and software, and librarians. Three other types of problems are also discussed: poor plan- ning, · poor design, and poor implementa- tion. The final chapter on prospects touches on networks, standards, minicomputers, commercial systems, and future develop- ments. This chapter is short, general, and not especially insightful, but may stimulate questions from those beginning their ex- amination of library automation systems and trends. In summary, the book is easy and inter- esting reading. It contains a wealth of in- formation presented in a free-flowing, pleasant manner and is a good starting point for those desiring an orderly review of what has gone on before. Also, the au- thor and publisher succeeded in publishing material that was as timely as possible up to the point of publication. However, the $24.50 price tag is going to be hard to swallow.-Eleanor Montague, Project Di- rector, Western Network Project, Western Interstate Commission for Higher Educa- tion. Cole, John Y., ed. Ainsworth Rand Spof- ford: Bookman and Librarian. The Her- itage of Librarianship Series, no. 2. Lit- tleton, Colo.: Libraries Unlimited, Inc., 1975. 203p. $11.50. (LC 75-31517) (ISBN 0-87287-117-7) In the foreword to this volume, series ed- itor Michael Harris indicates that the sub- ject of this book is "the rise of the Library of Congress to a position of unrivaled su- premacy among American libraries" (p.5). That rise was the work of Ainsworth Rand Spofford. His own writings and the intro- ductory background describe what he did for the Library of Congress. John Y. Cole is, perhaps, preeminently qualified to edit this volume and to discuss Spofford's career. Cole's doctoral disserta- tion is entitled "Ainsworth Spofford and the National Library," and he has written seven Recent Publications I 375 lengthy articles about the Library of Con- gress and Spofford. Part I of this work is a well-documented, precisely written history of Spofford's professional life. These details provide the background necessary to estab- lish the context of the selections presented in Part II. The important features of Spof- ford's philosophy about the library and his profession are also highlighted in this sum- mary. A skillful use of quotations encour- ages the reader to move directly and will- ingly into the selection of writings. Part II is one of the most pleasant sur- prises this reviewer has had recently. Spof- ford was an opinionated, articulate person who had clearly defined goals and equally definite methods of achieving them. No li- brarian today would agree with all of his ideas. But any discussion about reference service or the role of the Library of Con- gress or book selection or the qualifications of a librarian or even classification could be vigorously stimulated by a reading of these essays. Would you characterize the Library . of Congress as the "book palace of the American people" (p.43)? Spofford did, in 1899. He also saw the public library as the "people's university" (p.22). "Everyone seeking to know anything, should find the librarian a living catalogue" (p.152), he concluded. Several of his writings may offer "new" solutions to hoary problems. His "First An- nual Report" could serve as a model for a librarian describing library needs to a non- librarian supervisor. Present-day adminis- trators might find that his arguments for more space in "A 'Wholly Distinct' Library Building" could be used with great effec- tiveness. ALA's GODORT members will want to read his memo on "An Index to the Documents and Debates of Congress." Librarians and library school students should read this book and study this man's ideas. The volume is a necessary acquisi- tion for collections concerned with library history and library philosophy. John Y. Cole has reestablished an important figure in our professional heritage.-Judy H. Fair, Direc- tor of the Library, The Urban Institute, Washington, D.C. Martin, Susan K., and Butler, Brett, eds. Library Automation: The State of the