College and Research Libraries


library to be used effectively; not every 
academic library will have the particular 
catalog cards for Strawn's examples. Perhaps 
the most serious drawback is the confusing 
directions for the exercises. All instruction 
librarians know how difficult it is to phrase 
clear, logical directions, and these direc-
tions are like most that appear in the litera-
ture. The author does bring out points that 
confuse users: titles of books may be mis-
leading as subject headings, general subject 
headings may be made specific by adding a 
subdivision, and filing rules can be under-
stood by giving a few concrete examples. 

From my ten years of experience in li-
brary instruction I find the exercises some-
what confusing, especially in the directions 
given. Having said that, I acknowledge how 
difficult it is to develop a clear, logical, 
trouble-free programmed text-to date I 
haven 't seen one. Strawn's text might be 
used most effectively in a structured situa-
tion where professional help is at hand. His 
examples are good , and I found his use of 
relationship formation effective . Instruction 
librarians might find something to adapt in 
his approach . While I applaud Strawn for 
his efforts , the clear-cut, logical, easy-to-
use, programmed, self-instructed text for 
library instruction has , alas, yet to be writ-
ten.-Anne F. Roberts, State University of 
New York at Albany. 

Davinson, Donald. Reference Service. Lon-
don: Clive Bingley; New York: K. G . 
Saur, 1980. 235p. $20 . ISBN 0-85857-
291-X. 
The librarian who is conversant with the 

literature of reference service will find little 
that is new in this overview of reference 
service in the academic, public, and special 
library. Many of the articles and books cited 
are by American authors such as Bill Katz 
(most quoted), Helen Gothberg, Charles A. 
Bunge, Jesse Shera, and Robert S. Taylor. 
Different viewpoints on a topic are included 
and the important points from the cited au-
thors are explained with some additional 
comments by- Davinson, but his opinions 
are not intrusive. The comparison of British 
and U. S. reference service reveals many of 
the same developments , problems, and 
solutions for providing information to the 
library user. 

Recent Publications I 555 

The discussion of reference service is pre-
sented in twelve chapters. Topics covered 
in these chapters include definition of 
terms, which notes the differences and simi-
larities in terminology used in the United 
Kingdom and the U.S. "The Theory of Ref-
erence Service" briefly recapitulates what 
has been written, but has no new insights. 
"Costing and Evaluating Reference Service" 
concludes that, though difficult, the need 
for developing adequate measures is impor-
tant because of economic developments and 
budget cuts. The chapters "Librarian-User 
Relationship," "Dealing with Enquiries," 
and the "Reference Interview" concentrate 
on communication theory and interpersonal 
relations. Also noted is that ready refer-
ence, or quick reference, the British 
phrase, for which only one source is con-
sulted, is the bulk of reference service pro-
vided to users. 

"Search for Answers" deals with search 
strategy. "Evaluating the Results of the 
Search" is a very brief chapter with no new 
informa~ion presented. The chapter on li-
brary networks mentions those in the U.S., 
but gives details on networks being 
developed in the UK, e. g., BLAISE (British 
Automated Information Service); 
PRESTEL, earlier known as VIEWDATA, 
which stores and displays data on a video 
screen and uses telephone lines to com-
municate with the enquirer; CEEF AX and 
ORACLE, which provide local information 
using conventional audio and video broad-
casting channels. 

"New Directions in Reference Service" 
concentrates on public library service that 
advocates community information services. 
"Instruction in Library Use" discusses the 
pros and cons of user education, with 
emphasis on the programs in academic li-
braries. The different ways of teaching ref-
erence service-by title , by type , by case 
studies, and by the pathfinder method-are 
the topic of the last chapter. At the end of 
each chapter a bibliography of cited refer-
ences is given·. Also provided are subject 
and author indexes.-Jean Herold, Uni-
versity of Texas, Austin. 

March of Library Science: Kaula Fest-
schrift. Papers presented in honor of Pro-
fessor P.- N. Kaula. General editor: V.