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Title:

Delivering Digital Services: A Handbook for Public Libraries and Learning Centres

Review:

Public libraries exist in perpetual dichotomy. Justly regarded as gatekeepers to valuable resources and services, there never lacks a voice accusing them of being out-of-date and failing to serve the needs of the communities they serve. Capable of attracting individuals passionate about their profession and contribution to society, detractors readily serve up the cliche of cob-webbed spinsters and bachelors demanding perpetual silence in the reading room. Worthy of multi-million pound investment from government and Lottery funding to advance information and communication technologies, public libraries remain capable of generating headlines about declining user numbers and the fall in resource utilisation.

Having been raised in a community where the public library was the focal point of learning resources, my respect for public libraries and their staff is tremendous. This is, perhaps, why 'Delivering Digital Services' left a sour taste in my mouth.

Described as an "essential handbook [offering] practical guidance and expertise for public library and community network staff in setting up, running and developing an effective digital learning centre", I anticipated a compelling insight into how professionals at the front line of community information provision can realise technology's potential. Profound disappointment followed.

The objective of this book is to do something about the increasing divide between the information rich and poor, not only in the UK but in the global economy. A bold ambition, especially when what followed would struggle to bridge a hair-line fracture.

Discerning public librarians and students should avoid this book. Rather than provide meaningful guidance and advice, the reader is presented with lacklustre case-studies, ill-founded theory, and incorrect tutorials (errors exist in the HTML coding section). The price of this book alone demands quality should be paramount, but quality is sadly lacking.

The issue of wealth division within communities, be it in terms of monetary income, educational achievement or access to information, is frustratingly complex; yet the authors fail to pragmatically assess the role public libraries can play in overcoming fear, ignorance and poverty. Instead, a parochial mindset prevails offering little, if anything, of value. Vital issues relating to access to internet resources and copyright are dealt with in a shockingly incompetent manner; while the chapter dedicated to supporting electronic government sinks to unfathomable depths of worthlessness. Sections devoted to website design and portal solutions are pitched at such a level that school children would demand more testing content; and repeated signposting by the authors to their latest Facet published title is at best cynical.

No better than a poor collection of second-rate essays, questions should be asked of those behind this book. Why was it commissioned if the end result is so poor? Did the commissioning editor genuinely consider the content to offer something new? Do the authors consider themselves sufficiently in touch with the needs of a dynamic and progressive profession?

People working in public libraries deserve better than 'Delivering Digital Services'. Hopefully Facet appreciates this and will do their readers justice in the future.

Free Pint Reviewer:

Michael Corkett studied at the University of Kent and City University (London) before embarking upon a career in informatics. He has worked in the voluntary, commercial and public sectors, and sits on the council of the UK Council for Health Informatics Professions (UKCHIP). He is currently Senior Information Specialist for a health research organisation.

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