ACRL College & Research Libraries News

Association of College & Research Libraries

New Publications

George M. Eberhart

The African Leopard: Ecology and Behavior of a Solitary Felid, by Theodore N. Bailey (429 pages, January 1994), is based on an intensive, two-year field study of leopard populations in Kruger National Park in South Africa, where the author gathered detailed information from visual observations, locations by radiotelemetry, and live captures. This volume is a breakthrough in leopard ecology. Bailey outlines leopard population characteristics, activity and habitat use patterns, movements, feeding ecology, and social organization, and provides new information on leopard mortality, scavenging, and relationships to other large predators and humans. A copy is $65.00 from Columbia University Press, 562 W. 113th St., New York, NY 10025. ISBN 0-231-07872-2.

The AIDS Pandemic: Social Perspectives, by Yole G. Sills (247 pages, December 1993), provides an overview of the social, economic, and political effect of AIDS around the world. This volume draws upon research from fields such as anthropology, demography, economics, political science, public health, and social psychology. Sills recounts the bleak prospects for neutralizing the HIV infection and slowing the spread of the pandemic by biological intervention before the end of the century. Public education alone, writes the author, is ineffective; only reduction in poverty levels, improvements in health care, and increased public acceptance of prevention measures like condoms will slow the virus worldwide. Copies are $55 00 from Greenwood Press, 88 Post Road West, P.O. Box 5007, Westport, CT 06881. ISBN 0-313-28606-X.

Encyclopedia of Russian History from the Christianization of Kiev to the Break-Up of the U.S.S.R., by John Paxton (483 pages, October 1993), provides 2,500 descriptions of Russian people, places, ideas, events, books, and art. The entries are brief and serve as an introduction to the topic rather than a comprehensive statement. Copies are available for $65.00 from ABC-CLIO, 130 Cremona Dr., Santa Barbara, CA 93117. ISBN 0- 87436-690-9.

If You Want to Evaluate Your Library …, by F. W. Lancaster (352 pages, 2d ed., October 1993), updates the 1988 edition with new chap- ters on the evaluation of bib- liographic instruction and the feasibility of continuous quality control, several new case studies, and new ma- terial in the areas of cost-ef- fectiveness and cost-benefit evaluation and in the evaluation of resource sharing. Well-illustrated with tables, flow-charts, and survey forms. A copy is $39-50 (plus $3 00 handling) from the University of Illinois GSLIS, Publications Office, 1301 W. Lorado Taft Drive, Urbana, IL 61801. ISBN 0-87845-091-2.

Japanese Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films, by Stuart Galbraith IV (424 pages, January 1994), is a critical analysis and filmography of 103 features released in the United States between 1950 and 1992. Perhaps Ranganathan needed a Sixth Law of Library Science: “Every filmgoer his genre.” Indeed, a genre that includes such questionable epics as Goke: Bodysnatcher from Hell and Twilight of the Cockroaches is not a part of everyone’s video repertoire (unless they are devotees of Mystery Science Theatre 3000). However, the book is a model of film genre criticism and rectifies many of the mistakes and assumptions that American reviewers have made about Japanese fantastic films. The author’s background research is impressive and provides the most complete credits listing of these films to date. Copies are $45.00 from McFarland & Co., Box 611, Jefferson, NC 28640. ISBN 0-89950-853-7.

Mass Deacidification of Paper: A Comparative Study of Existing Processes, by Astrid- Christiane Brandt (184 pages, bilingual French/ English, 1993), examines the principal causes of paper self-destruction since the 19th century and reviews the deacidification processes developed in recent decades. Six processes are explored in detail: Wei T’o, Bookkeeper, Akzo (DEZ), LITHCO-FMC, Booksaver, and the British Library process. The author concludes that there is no treatment applicable to all types of paper and compatible with all the constituents of a book. No process seems adequate for strengthening already fragile, aged papers. Appendices provide information on methods for testing paper characteristics, artificial aging, pH measurement, companies marketing mass deacidification processes, the Montreal protocol on regulation of CFCs, and a comparative table of processes. Published by the Bibliotheque Nationale, this informative study may be ordered for $70.00 from John Benjamins Publishing Company, 821 Bethlehem Pike, Philadelphia, PA 19118. ISBN 2-7177-1853-2.

Public Libraries: Travel Treasures of the West, by Marty and Anna Rabkin (332 pages, November 1993), is a travel guide to hundreds of public libraries in the western states. The authors have visited every one, so their descriptions of the architecture, collections, and surrounding scenery are authentic. Libraries that are architecturally, historically, or scenically outstanding are identified (such as the Apache Junction (Ariz.) Public Library, with its spectacular view of the Superstition Mountains). The book includes some 90 black-and-white photographs (including Booker, the cat at Seattle’s Rainer Beach Branch Library) and credits the architectural firms that helped expand and update old libraries. Addresses, phone numbers, and open days are provided for the library tourist. Copies are $19.95 from North American Press, 350 Indiana St., Suite 350, Golden, CO 80401-5093. ISBN 1-55591-915-4.

Rethinking Reference in Acαdemk Libraries, edited by Anne Grodzins Lipow (242 pages, November 1993), contains the papers presented at the Library Solutions Institute No. 2 in March and June 1993 at UC-Berkeley and Duke University that focused on the future of reference services. It details the new models of reference that emerged there, as well as ideas for practical steps for implementing them. Contributors include Larry Oberg on new roles for support staff and Jim Rettig on innovations in academic reference departments. The book also offers case studies on reference change at several universities. Finally, the organizers provide tips for replicating the institute in case readers wish to arrange a similar meeting. An appendix reprints selected documents from the institute packet, the pre-institute reading list, texts of some readings, and samples of participants’ follow-up activities. A copy costs $32.00 from Library Solutions Press Sales Office, 1100 Industrial Road, Suite 9, San Carlos, CA 94070. ISBN 1-882208-02-1.

Videos for Understanding Diversity: A Core Collection and Evaluative Guide, by Gregory I. Stevens (217 pages, June 1993), is an expansion of the videography developed by the State University of New York at Albany to support its required course in human diversity. The detailed reviews examine 126 videos that offer a stimulating perspective on how diverse cultural groups have contributed to the social and historical development of the U.S. The listings range from feature films (Do the Right Thing, El Norte) to documentaries (Frida Kahlo, Ken Burms’s The Civil War). Access is enhanced by a title-theme index and a category index. An excellent tool for undergraduate courses in the social sciences and humanities. Copies are available for $35.00 (ALA members $31-50) from the ALA Order Department, 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611. ISBN 0-8389-0612-5.