<b><i>The Medieval Book: Glosses from Friends and Colleagues of Christopher de Hamel.</i></b> Eds. James H. Marrow, Richard A. Linenthal, and William Noel. Houten, Netherlands: Hes & De Graaf Publishers, 2010. xxxii + 468p. clothbound, $95 (ISBN 9879061943709). LC2011-417859.
Author(s) -
Eric J. Johnson
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
college and research libraries
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.886
H-Index - 52
eISSN - 2150-6701
pISSN - 0010-0870
DOI - 10.5860/0720502
Subject(s) - art , philosophy
part implies that the discovery process could be enhanced from three aspects: improving e-book visibility in OPAC displays; providing training sessions and other research support; and implementing better technical supports in terms of feder-ated access management and intelligent user interfaces. A discussion of different e-readers currently available on the market is also included in this section. Part IV uses case studies and analysis to show how readers could be better engaged in using e-books in public library, FE, and HE settings. All three studies indicate that today's readers are more willing to use e-books, with the level of willingness highest among younger reader groups. Part V looks to the future; each contributor was asked to comment on two vital questions: " What needs to change before e-books become universally and easily read? " and " What will the e-book landscape look like in ten years' time? " The final and most useful part provides a range of helpful guidelines, reference materials, and practical tips to aid library and information professionals to find their way through the e-book maze. In general, the editors of this book have done a great job in bringing forth some practical perspectives and guidance regarding e-books. The selected works are organized in a way that flows naturally and is easy for readers to navigate. Most contributors of this work, except for one, are from the United Kingdom, so some terminology and usage do sound alien for American readers; but this does not necessarily reduce the value of this book to the U.S. audience. Besides, the book offers a good amount of coverage on e-books in academic library settings, which could benefit many academic librarians who have just started to deal with e-books. However, the book fails to touch on a highly controversial but vitally important issue: circulating e-book readers in libraries. Also, though it claims to be the first practical guide of e-books, I would argue that it does not provide the amount of hands-on guidance that I expected. It does a good job in outlining the big picture and giving general directions; but the reader could be better served if the book could nail down some detailed workflows in handling e-books. Overall, this book is a great reference source for library and information professionals who are responsible for building and maintaining an e-book collection; it is also essential background reading for those who are interested …
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