Home > Bookshelf > Strategy

Title:

Setting up a library and information service from scratch

Review:

This slim volume (195 pages including appendices) is a practical guide to setting up a library and information service from scratch. The authors (information professionals with experience in industry and government information services) present step-by-step guidance on the many different aspects of the topic. Coverage ranges from the initial stages of carrying out an information audit and the rationale for setting up a service, through the potential pitfalls associated with the possible locations of the premises, staffing requirements, services to be provided, and on to the promotion of the service and training of target groups.

Each chapter starts with a bulleted list of the topics to be covered and finishes with a brief summary. The main part of the chapter contains clear and succinct guidance, along with examples of the authors' experiences and suggestions or questions to be considered. An extensive bibliography complements these chapters, and references to web resources are also included.

The appendices also contain useful suggestions on searching the Internet and the library basics of filing, repairs, loans and reference services, and a helpful glossary.

The short section discussing performance measurement was, for me, one of the most useful sections, as it gave a good insight into the difficult area of selecting and presenting appropriate statistics or data.

The chapters can be read in a fairly stand-alone way. You can easily dip in and out of the different chapters (aided by the informative table of contents) and go quickly to the subject that most interests you. For example, you may wish to read the chapter on services to be provided by the library and information service before the one on staffing or the one on the physical premises.

I found useful book easy-to-read, and would recommend it to those already running library and information services as well as to those just starting out. Two suggestions for further improving this handy book would be to make the example of a press release a library/information service specific one, and to include more detail about how an information professional can personally train their clientele.

Free Pint Reviewer:

Susan Bradley is an experienced information professional with over 15 years spent working in academic, commercial and membership organisations, with roles covering electronic publishing, knowledge management, library and information services, and records management. She is currently working as the Information Officer for Universities UK (UUK), the membership organisation for the vice-chancellors and principals of the universities in the UK. She has recently developed a library and information service for UUK staff but is still awaiting a final location for the collection! Other current projects include developing and implementing a new intranet and devising records management policies and procedures.

Related Free Pint Links:

• Related Internet strategy book reviews on the Free Pint Bookshelf