How to evaluate books

(evaluating sources tutorial @ HCC Libraries)

You can always trust books, right?

You can always trust books, right?

NOPE!

Books are stable, comprehensive, detailed, portable, and fun.

Books are not perfect.

While books aren’t as easy to publish as internet sources, and usually go through an editing process, that doesn’t mean they’re error-proof, impartial, current, or relevant to your interests.

(Or your professor’s!)

Evaluating books is like any other source.

Look at Currency, reliability, authority, & purpose/point-of-view.

For books specifically, look at:

AuthorPublisherContentAccuracyBook reviews

Think about Why should you listen to (or read) what the author has to say.

• Who is the author?• Are their credentials listed?• Have they ever written anything about the

topic before?• Are they trying to inform, entertain, or

persuade you?

What type of publisher produced the book, & what does that say about its credibility?• Commercial (e.g. Taylor & Francis)• University Press (e.g. Oxford University Press)• Professional or Trade Association (e.g. American

Medical Association)• Self-Published (e.g. Create Space)• Other

Look through the book’s content.• Check out the Table of Content, the book’s index,

and the first and last section• See if the author includes references, footnotes,

and the sources they cite• Skim the book for headings, pictures, graphics,

charts, & whatever catches your attention• Ask: Is the book well-organized & helpful? Is the

information relevant to my topic, or just related?

What about the book’s accuracy?• Can you verify the information from other

sources?• Do you see any grammar, spelling, or other

errors? • Is the book current enough to be accurate? (e.g.

science facts change often, but a literature analysis on Jane Eyre probably won’t need to be as current.)

book reviews are professional evaluations of books & may include a description of the book, the author’s coverage of the topic, the expertise of the author or institution, biases or negativities, the books pros and cons, & other factors that might change your opinion on the book.

Try HCc Libraries/Databases/Book Review Digest Plus

Note: HCC Libraries staff purposely selects books with accuracy, coverage, and currency in mind, but that doesn’t guarantee that any HCC library book will be suited for your assignment.

Evaluate it anyway!

“You want weapons? We're in a library. Books are the best weapon in the world. This room's the greatest arsenal we could have. Arm yourself!”

(Just pick an Appropriate weapon.)

Find out more with HCC Libraries @library.hccs.edu

Thanks to University of California-Berkley, University of Maryland Libraries, Colorado State university Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Library, Tarleton State University Libraries, the eleventh doctor, & others for influencing this presentation. Their evaluation tips are linked on the subject guide.