Electronic Collection Development: A Practical Guide.

The purpose of the volume, as reflected in the title, is to provide a practical guide to librarians involved in collection development for dealing with the various electronic media. The work is divided into five chapters: (1) preliminary issues: background and development of electronic resources; (2) what is an offer: the electronic resources landscape, a review of the types of electronic mediums, and the problems inherent with each type; (3) electronic books and electronic journals: similarities between the two mediums and some possible future trends in electronic publishing in general; (4) what to buy: assessing and acquiring the dataset—the heart of the volume; and (5) delivering the dataset: processes necessary after acquiring an electronic medium (i.e., cataloging, archiving, and making customers aware of its availability). The volume is written mainly from the English perspective, which is understandable in that the author is head of learning technologies, Computer Services, Oxford University. Choice of nomenclature may be confusing to readers in the United States, as many of the words have different implications in U.S. usage than in British usage. In chapter one, the background of the emergence of electronic text availability is highly glossed over, more than likely a deliberate decision. The nonchalance of one statement in particular should give readers pause: “in the space of a few years we have collectively witnessed in electronic format the appearance of all the major reference titles for most subject areas.” To slightly misquote Ira Gershwin's lyrics from the opera, Porgy and Bess, “That ain't necessarily so!” Nor is that likely to happen in the foreseeable future. Explaining his use of the term “dataset,” the author proceeds to discuss purchasing and its various ramifications, such as determination of type of medium to purchase, development of policies, budgeting considerations, and so on. The author's repetitive use of statements that something “will be explained in a further chapter, section, etc.,” is most disconcerting and annoying, because human nature can compel one to flip forward in search of the explanation, while still trying to keep one's place and train of thought. Chapter two is very lucid and forthright, concentrating on reviewing what is available as well as how it may be packaged. The brief explanations of the variety of access, as well as the numerous formats, suffice for the neophyte but are sorely lacking for more in-depth theoretical discussions with those who have worked with electronic information resources for any length of time. Chapter three centers specifically on electronic books and electronic journals and the problems inherent in these formats. Explanation is insufficient on how downloading e-books is accomplished, especially for beginners. Pages 47 and 48 discuss implications for collection development in general and, in the reviewer's opinion, prove quite valuable in considering the selection choices and decisions that must be made. This entire section is valuable for its general perspective of these media. Only in chapter four, halfway through this very slim volume, does the author finally arrive at the purpose in writing the volume. Here one finds some excellent guidelines for making collection development decisions. In reading and rereading this section, this reviewer is struck not only by the simplicity of layout but also the extreme practicality of the content. The numerous lists of considerations are well worth the entire book. This section should save every library director and collection development librarian a great deal of time and is definite cause for purchasing the volume. Chapter five covers the aftermath of acquisition—cataloging, archiving, and advertising availability. This material is most important as many decisions must be made following the decision to purchase. The author reviews the need for monitoring usage and offers several practical tips. Pages 122 to 124 will prove beneficial to neophytes in developing a well-balanced and logical basic collection development policy. The glossary is very helpful in explaining the choice of nomenclature. Care in selecting journal Websites and uniform resource locators (URLs) from the list of e-journals in the “Select Bibliography” can help with further exploration of the overall subject, should readers be so inclined. Several of the Websites that the reviewer randomly checked have changed, but that is to be expected in the ever-changing world of the electronic medium. The index proved very thorough and easy to use. Overall, this work is recommended, but only for true neophytes. Those who have dealt with electronic media extensively will be disappointed by having to jump around through the book for explanations. The author, however, has achieved his aim of producing an introductory volume on this very complex subject. It truly is a practical guide, not an exhaustive volume. This reviewer recommends purchasing the volume for inclusion in any library collection and for librarians just beginning the foray into this very complex area of collection development. It will save such librarians some time.