College and Research Libraries Recent Publications BOOK REVIEWS Hagler, Ronald and Peter Simmons. The Bibliographic Record and Information Tech- . nology. Chicago: American Library Assn., 1982. 346p. LC 82-14706. ISBN 0- 8389-0370-3. As noted in the preface, this book grew out of the authors' experiences of teaching a core-curriculum course at the School of Librarianship, University of British Co- lumbia, on basic bibliographic informa- tion and its automated handling. The pur- pose was to develop a ''timely text or texts to introduce novices to computer func- tions in the context of bibliography, to deal with manual and automated biblio- graphic databases of all kinds as part of a single coordinated system of bibliographic control, and to analyze the technical, ad- ministrative, and economic aspects of a rapid transition from older rules, practices and techniques to present-day ones .'' The authors are speaking to all librarians-the users as well as the creators of biblio- graphic data-and in the process have de- veloped a textbook which can also serve as an administrative and management text for a variety of library professionals . This book succeeds on a number of dif- ferent levels. First, there is a nice empha- sis throughout the book on the reality of the necessity for the application of judg- ment to the bibliographic process. Where possible, therefore, there are answers to the questions of why things are done as they are and how developments have got- ten to where they are. At the same time, there is the recognition that the biblio- graphic process is an art-exemplified nicely in a section early in the book on ''The Bibliographic Temperment.'' Second, the authors succeed, from chapter to chapter, in discussing "pur- pose" and "alternative" within the paral- lel context of "cost." This continuing dis- cussion and assessment of cost as a part of standards and system development is concluded specifically at the end of the book in a section on ''The Commerce in Bibliographic Data." The result is a bal- anced presentation of the complex interre- lationships of bibliographic control- when practices and/or standards can be simplified and when complexity is re- quired, the needs of the ultimate user, the costs that can realistically be borne by li- braries, and the ยท best compromises that have been and could be made. The first chapter moves quickly into bib- liographic changes caused by (or en- hanced by) technology, explaining the workings of computing-a level of presen- tation consistent throughout the book of necessarily limiting the width and depth of detailed information. In addition, the presentation begins with a history of the topic and then comes to the present by in- cluding brief descriptions of fiber optics, satellite communications, digital trans- mission, and other topics. The other chapters are presented with similarly balanced scope, detail, and brev- ity and include: "The Content and Format of the Bibliographic Record,'' ''Using Files of Bibliographic Records,'' and ''Creating and Sharing Bibliographic Records . " Only a few examples of the topics receiv- ing more than competent attention in- clude the development of formats and standards, including the importance of in- ternational cooperation, the interaction of filing rules with pre- and postcoordination of subject headings, automated authority 491 492 College & Research Libraries control: changing and linking search Reys. The last is a good example of a clear and silnple exposition on a complex topic that is currently widely discussed, but with a great deal of confusion. Although this book does read like a text- book, it succeeds in meeting the goal of in- troducing the bibliographic and techno- logical concepts needed by librarians-all librarians, including technical services, public services, administration, and com- puter librarians. Though bibliographic control is not considered by many to be an interesting topic, this book succeeds in presenting the "intellect" of the issues as well as their theories and pragmatics. It is certainly required reading for administra- tive people and should, indeed, be read by novices as well as seasoned pro- fessionals.-D. Kaye Gapen, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa. The Impact of New Technology on Li- braries and Information Centres. Report of the Library Association Working November 1983 Party 1981-82. Phoenix, Ariz.: Oryx, 1983. 54p. $10. ISBN 0-85365-925-7. The stated purpose of The Impact of New Technology on Libraries and Information Cen- tres is to cover a wide range of issues broadly and to highlight areas needing more investigation. Issues ranging from employment to library design are among those the report mentions (one cannot use the word covers in reference to a report that devotes seven lines to copyright and four lines to system security). However, the re- port does do what it set out to do-and considering the scope of the topic and the length of the book-it does it very well. The report is divided into three sections: one explaining the background and pur- poses of the study; another defining the components of ''new technology'' andre- viewing some of the major social and com- mercial ramifications; and a third discus- sing the impact of technology on libraries and information centers in particular. Most readers who are even peripherally involved in the world of technology are all Midwest Library Service You won't find a wider selection .. . anywhere College and university librarians : Midwest Library Service has what you're looking for . With 24 years of experience in the field, Midwest can supply you with virtually any book you want-even one from the smallest , most obscure publisher. This includes nearly all U.S. and Canadian publishers, U.S. distributors of foreign published works, university presses , non-profit organizations , private associations , and societies , in addition to many reprint publishers and paperbacks . You won't find a wider selection of books your library wants , whether you 're a small college or a large university . Midwest Library Service has what you ' re looking for! For additional information , call the TOLL-FREE WATS NUMBER : (800) 325-8833 . 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