Briefly Noted
Buy Issue for $25 at JHUP- Briefly Noted
Robert Darnton is a distinguished historian of eighteenth century European books and publishing who has also been involved in many interesting projects in contemporary publishing. Formerly a professor at Princeton University and currently director of the Harvard University Library, Darnton's latest book is a collection of previously published essays—many from the New York Review of Books—dealing with the present and future prospects of books and reflecting on previous episodes in book history. The first essays cover Darnton's involvement at Harvard with the development of Google Book Search, which he sees as full of promise but fraught with peril. In another essay, he discusses his involvement with the Gutenberg-e project, which attempted to publish prize-winning history dissertations online as a way to provide publishing opportunities for young graduates and legitimize the online form among academics. It is particularly interesting to learn how his initial hopes and expectations met with the reality of this new publishing form. The final section of The Case for Books presents a look at what we are losing and what is worth preserving as we move forward. Anyone interested in books, publishing, and libraries should find this collection informative and entertaining. (FR)
Although this attractive paperback how-to book is intended primarily for public libraries, academic libraries have just as great a need for new marketing ideas. The wonderful advantage of this book is that it describes dozens of small actions that can [End Page 252] be taken without spending a great deal of time or money. Especially relevant to the academic setting are sections on word-of-mouth marketing (enlisting advocates), marketing electronic resources, and new marketing tools such as podcasts, Twitter, wikis, and social networks. Less directly relevant are sections on telling your story, press releases, trade shows, and advocacy campaigns. Whether or not the library has a staff member in charge of marketing, this would be a good book to have on hand. (JA)
These companion volumes provide perspectives on science communication over the past 10 years, from researchers who study and from scientists who practice it. The editors of the newly commissioned chapters that make up each of these books teach a course in science communication at the Open University in the United Kingdom. Investigating Science Communication in the Information Age, focusing on the interface between scientific research and its communication to popular audiences, reveals the shifting boundaries of science communication as demands for transparency and openness increase with expanding online access. Practising Science Communication in the Information Age looks at how scientists communicate results to each other and the ways that the Internet has altered what gets researched and communicated. These works should be of interest to librarians and administrators looking for ways to support their science faculty in publishing the results of their research, as well as administrators who communicate the university's accomplishments to a wider public. The broad perspectives offered on the changing landscape of science communication should be of particular importance to those interested in open access to scientific research. (FR)
How can academic libraries implement the fundamental changes that are essential to survival? In this timely book, Mary Somerville (University Librarian at the University of Colorado at Denver) describes collaborative techniques that resulted in major change both at the University of Colorado and...
