how libraries must comply with the americans with disabilities act (ada): complied and edited by...

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the previous edition. It nonetheless retains the straight- forward, practical, and nontheoretical approach that characterized earlier editions, and offers helpful information and advice in plain, declarative language. The approach, by and large, is firmly based in the sometimes hard realities of college librarianship, e.g., "librarians often have difficulty gathering timely information about the direction the institution is taking because they are rarely involved in the deliberations." In general, those chapters that treat the "core" functions of a college library, i.e., Technology and Integrated Library Systems, Collection Management, Collection Development of Special Materials, Cataloging and Classification, Reference Service, Educating the Library User, Circulation Services, and Student Assistants, are to the point and helpful. Those that deal with secondary functions, i.e., Organization of the Library, Interpretation and Outreach, Human Resources Management, Business and Financial Affairs, and Library Building and Equipment, are, while not inappropriate, probably of less immediate value to the target audience. And those of a tertiary nature, e.g., Contexts of the American College Library, Evolution of Higher Education in the United States, and Growth of Academic Librarianship, are not essential to a book of this type and intended purpose, and could have been much compressed or even eliminated without detriment to the integrity or usefulness of the work. The text--both up to date and comprehensive--is well written in crisp, lucid prose that is free of distracting jargon and acronyms. It will be, as previous editions have been, an excellent text for courses in academic library administration, and will serve well as a handbook or ready reference for practicing librarians. The well-selected references and suggestions for additional reading enhance its suitability for both these purposes. The usefulness of Coughlin and Gertzog's book as a text will be reinforced by the companion work Casebook in College Library Administration, which presents 20 situations having "policy, political, practical, and procedural implications" for students to consider, research, and discuss. Those actually working in a college library will, however, likely encounter more than enough real life examples to chew on.--Dennis W. Dickinson, Director, Beloit College Libraries, Beloit, WI. How Libraries Must Comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), compiled and edited by Donald D. Foos and Nancy C. Pack. Phoenix: Oryx, 1992. 181p. $29.95 (paper) ISBN 0-89774-760-7. LC 92-3796. Permanent paper. This work will prove to be more than an excellent reference book for anyone working in a library environment. Because the ADA is such a comprehensive and extensive federal law, library staff members may feel intimidated by its scope and breadth, but this book thoroughly examines the implications of this momentous civil rights legislation. Written and edited by librarians, the book offers not only a wonderful commentary on what the law requires, but also provides well thought out strategies for providing proper accessibility for library services and resources. The first chapter of the book, which examines in detail how specific sections of the ADA can affect libraries, is worth the price of the entire book. It analyzes the nuances and particulars of how the law directly impacts libraries, clearly covering such issues as auxiliary equipment, such as TDDs and enlargement devices, and structural changes for facilities. This section covers in plain English what libraries must do to remain in compliance. Though the ADA presents a potpourri of potential problems for libraries, the text isn't limited to a description of these issues. The second chapter explores implementation, providing a six-step planning model to follow. (The first step listed, which is information gathering, could be readily accomplished by reading this book.) This chapter is packed with invaluable lists, including organizations for people with disabilities and books and pamphlets about library services for people with disabilities, which make it an excellent resource for those with additional questions on the ADA. The third chapter focuses on school library media centers. The fourth chapter adds weight to the first chapter's analysis of the ADA and its effects on libraries by giving us the perspective of an attorney. This chapter explores how the law will apply to library operations and services, and provides insightful answers about job requirements, essential functions, reasonable accommodations, and other topics. The fifth chapter analyzes some hypothetical situations--several of which seem rather bizarre. I would suggest skipping the case studies presented here and paging to the Question/Answer section at the end of the chapter, where the material is handled much more succinctly and efficiently. The book ends with some quick references to understanding the ADA, its implications and some of its quirks. Here the law's principal terminology is defined in an alphabetical listing, a feature I found helpful when explaining parts of the law to others. This is a well-written abridged reference book on a consequential but abstruse law. Having read much of the ADA in its indigenous legalese, I believe that the editors of and contributors to this book will save readers substantial time and effort in making sense of the law. The book contains enough basic information for any of us to become fully conversant in the ADA, and enough references to ensure that some of us can become experts in this sphere of library operations.--Phillip White, ALPS Program Specialist, Purdue University Libraries. Introduction to Library Services, by Barbara E. Chernik. Englewood, CO: Libraries Unlimited, 1992. 230p. $30; $25 (paper) ISBN 0-87287-931-3; 1-56308- 053-2 (paper). LC 92-5486. Although introduced as a revision of Introduction to Library Services for Library Technicians, this new title will appeal to a wider audience than the initial work did. Contents include library history and development, personnel, resources, and organizational patterns. Individual chapters discuss characteristics of public, school, academic, and special libraries. One chapter is devoted to library networks and resource sharing and one provides an overview of facilities planning. The chapter the Journalof AcademicLibrarianship,May 1993 99

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the previous edition. It nonetheless retains the straight- forward, practical, and nontheoretical approach that characterized earlier editions, and offers helpful information and advice in plain, declarative language. The approach, by and large, is firmly based in the sometimes hard realities of college librarianship, e.g., "librarians often have difficulty gathering timely information about the direction the institution is taking because they are rarely involved in the deliberations."

In general, those chapters that treat the "core" functions of a college library, i.e., Technology and Integrated Library Systems, Collection Management, Collection Development of Special Materials, Cataloging and Classification, Reference Service, Educating the Library User, Circulation Services, and Student Assistants, are to the point and helpful. Those that deal with secondary functions, i.e., Organization of the Library, Interpretation and Outreach, Human Resources Management, Business and Financial Affairs, and Library Building and Equipment, are, while not inappropriate, probably of less immediate value to the target audience. And those of a tertiary nature, e.g., Contexts of the American College Library, Evolution of Higher Education in the United States, and Growth of Academic Librarianship, are not essential to a book of this type and intended purpose, and could have been much compressed or even eliminated without detriment to the integrity or usefulness of the work.

The text--both up to date and comprehensive--is well written in crisp, lucid prose that is free of distracting jargon and acronyms. It will be, as previous editions have been, an excellent text for courses in academic library administration, and will serve well as a handbook or ready reference for practicing librarians. The well-selected references and suggestions for additional reading enhance its suitability for both these purposes.

The usefulness of Coughlin and Gertzog's book as a text will be reinforced by the companion work Casebook in College Library Administration, which presents 20 situations having "policy, political, practical, and procedural implications" for students to consider, research, and discuss. Those actually working in a college library will, however, likely encounter more than enough real life examples to chew on.--Dennis W. Dickinson, Director, Beloit College Libraries, Beloit, WI.

How Libraries Must Comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), compiled and edited by Donald D. Foos and Nancy C. Pack. Phoenix: Oryx, 1992. 181p. $29.95 (paper) ISBN 0-89774-760-7. LC 92-3796. Permanent paper.

This work will prove to be more than an excellent reference book for anyone working in a library environment. Because the ADA is such a comprehensive and extensive federal law, library staff members may feel intimidated by its scope and breadth, but this book thoroughly examines the implications of this momentous civil rights legislation. Written and edited by librarians, the book offers not only a wonderful commentary on what the law requires, but also provides well thought out strategies for providing proper accessibility for library services and resources.

The first chapter of the book, which examines in detail how specific sections of the ADA can affect libraries, is worth the price of the entire book. It analyzes the nuances and particulars of how the law directly impacts libraries, clearly covering such issues as auxiliary equipment, such as TDDs and enlargement devices, and structural changes for facilities. This section covers in plain English what libraries must do to remain in compliance.

Though the ADA presents a potpourri of potential problems for libraries, the text isn't limited to a description of these issues. The second chapter explores implementation, providing a six-step planning model to follow. (The first step listed, which is information gathering, could be readily accomplished by reading this book.) This chapter is packed with invaluable lists, including organizations for people with disabilities and books and pamphlets about library services for people with disabilities, which make it an excellent resource for those with additional questions on the ADA.

The third chapter focuses on school library media centers. The fourth chapter adds weight to the first chapter's analysis of the ADA and its effects on libraries by giving us the perspective of an attorney. This chapter explores how the law will apply to library operations and services, and provides insightful answers about job requirements, essential functions, reasonable accommodations, and other topics. The fifth chapter analyzes some hypothetical situations--several of which seem rather bizarre. I would suggest skipping the case studies presented here and paging to the Question/Answer section at the end of the chapter, where the material is handled much more succinctly and efficiently. The book ends with some quick references to understanding the ADA, its implications and some of its quirks. Here the law's principal terminology is defined in an alphabetical listing, a feature I found helpful when explaining parts of the law to others.

This is a well-written abridged reference book on a consequential but abstruse law. Having read much of the ADA in its indigenous legalese, I believe that the editors of and contributors to this book will save readers substantial time and effort in making sense of the law. The book contains enough basic information for any of us to become fully conversant in the ADA, and enough references to ensure that some of us can become experts in this sphere of library operations.--Phillip White, ALPS Program Specialist, Purdue University Libraries.

Introduction to Library Services, by Barbara E. Chernik. Englewood, CO: Libraries Unlimited, 1992. 230p. $30; $25 (paper) ISBN 0-87287-931-3; 1-56308- 053-2 (paper). LC 92-5486.

Although introduced as a revision of Introduction to Library Services for Library Technicians, this new title will appeal to a wider audience than the initial work did. Contents include library history and development, personnel, resources, and organizational patterns. Individual chapters discuss characteristics of public, school, academic, and special libraries. One chapter is devoted to library networks and resource sharing and one provides an overview of facilities planning. The chapter

the Journal of Academic Librarianship, May 1993 99