susan c. awe, the entrepreneur's information sourcebook: charting the path to small business...

professionals. Targeting researchers, practitioners, and library andinformation science students, the text provides a comprehensiveoverview of the field of user studies and outlines the requirements forconducting usability studies so that readers can “assess the qualities andappropriateness of an information product or service” (p. 20) and designuser-centered digital information services.

Over the course of ten chapters, the authors introduce readersto the topic (chapter 1); outline techniques and methods to gatherinformation about users (chapter 2) and models of human informa-tion seeking behavior (chapter 3); provide “how-to” instruction onconducting usability studies, choosing appropriate tools and methods(chapter 4) and selecting participants for usability studies (chapter 5);present various data types and analysis methods relevant to usabilitytesting (chapter 6); discuss tools andmethods for conducting usabilitystudies of digital information services (chapter 7) and usability issuesrelevant to digital libraries, citing specific case studies (chapter 8);consider usability issues arising from the digital divide (chapter 9),and; conclude by suggesting current trends, challenges and opportuni-ties in usability research (chapter 10). Readers new to usability studiesand designing user-centered services or tools will benefit greatly fromreading the entire book while readers familiar with the tenets of userand usability studies may find chapters 8–10 particularly interesting.

The dense text is frequently broken up by bullet points and figures,facilitating the understanding of complex information. Sections withbullet points often identify key concepts or pose important questionsto consider during the development process, making these shortsections invaluable to the practicing reader. Complex terminologyand concepts are explained clearly and concisely. Furthermore, withineach chapter, the authors identify key researchers or studies and acomprehensive reference list completes the chapter, indicating keysources for further study of specific topics.

While the book provides explication of terminology, methodologies,tools, and concepts, it employs examples to illustrate concepts sparingly.Use of additional, practical examples drawn from the authors' extensiveexperiences or case studies would better illustrate and reinforce theconcepts and information presented and would add value to the text,making it more accessible to its target audience of novice usabilityresearchers. Furthermore, while the organization of the book is logicaland straightforward, the authors frequently refer the reader to infor-mation or examples covered elsewhere in the book. This strategymakesit difficult for chapters to be read independently from one another andcan be confusing to readers when referenced content is not covered incontext.

In an information agewhenonline tools and services are increasinglyuser-focused, usability testing is an important skill or tool for anyinformation professional's toolkit. This text is an essential read for anyinformation professional undertaking usability studies or the design ofonline information resources and services and will add value to multi-disciplinary libraries of any size.—Kerry Creelman, Coordinator ofUndergraduate Instruction, M.D., Anderson Library, 114 UniversityLibraries, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204-2000, USA<kcreelman2@uh.edu>.

doi:10.1016/j.acalib.2012.09.003

The Entrepreneur’s Information Sourcebook: Charting the Path toSmall Business Success, by Susan C. Awe. Santa Barbara, CA: LibrariesUnlimited, 2011. 285p. $40.00. ISBN 978-1-59884-786-4.

The author has created a handbook which would be an essentialresource for any library patron who has the courage, desire, fortitudeor vision to start a business. Awe has crafted a work that provides theanswers to most of the questions entrepreneurs should ask before

embarking upon the journey towards the development of a newventure. It delivers a comprehensive overview of a staggering array ofresources available to construct and maintain a successful enterprise.

This book is the follow-up to the author's previous work of thesame title, which was released in 2006. There is an additional chapterwhich addresses “e-commerce” and it is titled “The Internet and SellingGlobally.” This piece tackles the subject of creating and expanding abusiness into a virtual marketplace. It does a good job of highlightingthe pluses and negatives which may affect the advertising and sellingof products internationally. The various types of technology neededto initiate these efforts are also addressed. The other chapters havethe same principle layout as the previous work; however, severalsubheadings have been modified. Each chapter has an informativereference section which divides the resources into two differentcategories; print and online. These resources include an abstractwhich is extremely helpful to a librarian who is not quite sure whatthe source is and how it can be utilized effectively for their patrons.Of note is the chapter titled “Research, Statistics, and InformationGathering,” there is a plethora of U.S. Government resources listed toaid the entrepreneur's quest for viable data. In addition, to add to thebalance of free government sites listed, commercial publishers areitemized as well. Another chapter focuses on the importance of com-petitive analysis, an essential element which involves the gathering ofauthoritative data. The author uses “cautionary notes” to underscoreareas, questions or subjects an entrepreneur should not overlook. Theoverall structure and running of the enterprise is discussed in depthin the chapter titled, “Management.” This section outlines a crucialaspect of the business enterprise and the author has focused onseveral principles of management which include the following;planning, organizing, leading and controlling. As well as emphasizingthe importance of having action and/or operational plans. These areonly a few of the many examples in which the author has made theeffort to highlight the building blocks for a successful business.

This publication is more than just a manual for the entrepreneurialjourney; it is in my opinion the prerequisite resource for all whoimagine themselves creators of monetarily successful enterprises. Theauthor has produced a thoughtful work which is engaging, informa-tive and a resource which will provide answers to questions futureentrepreneurs may ask. As well as shine a light on the types ofquestions they should pose, before they even begin. Entrepreneurs aredreamers and visionaries and this book guides them towards the toolswhich could make those ventures a reality.—Loretta Wallace,Business Librarian, M.D., Anderson Library, University of Houston,Houston, TX 77204-2000, USA <lwallace3@uh.edu>.

doi:10.1016/j.acalib.2012.09.004

Getting Started with GIS: A LITA Guide, by Eva Dodsworth, NY: Neal-SchumanPublishers, Inc., 2012. 183p. $70.00. ISBN978-155570-775-0.(Companion website: http://www.neal-schuman.com/gis).

This book (and the companion website) is a very good resource foranyone interested in or already using Geographic Information Systems(GIS). It is specifically targeted to non-GIS librarians in all kinds oflibraries. Most readers, whether they are using Geo Web applicationsor not, are familiar with Google Maps, Google Earth, MapQuest, etc.They may also be using applications like Foursquare, allowing users togeotag their locations and post them to social media sites like Facebookor Twitter. Global Positioning System (GPS) technology is also nowbuiltinto many automobiles, smart phones, and other devices. Dodsworth,the Geospatial Data Services Librarian at the University of WaterlooLibrary, has drawnonher considerablebackground togive the laypersona better understanding of what GIS is all about. She highlights why it's

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