ACRL College & Research Libraries News

Association of College & Research Libraries

New Publications

George M. Eberhart

Cases in Online Search Strategy,by Bruce A. Shuman (279 pages, Octo- ber 1993), presents 60 sce- narios for online searching and tracks them step-by-step through the search process to successful resolution. The case studies involve science and technology, life sci- ences, political and legal is- sues, business, and the hu- manities. Each case poses a question—such as “What is the profitability of the tanning-salon business?”—and follows it with a sample reference interview, strategy formula- tion, discussion, selection of DIALOG files to query, a search algorithm, search results, and an evaluation of its success. The emphasis is on practical, systematic, and cost-effective strat- egies. The book costs $27.00 from Libraries Un- limited, P.O. Box 6633, Englewood, CO 80155- 6633. ISBN 1-56308-043-5.

The Encyclopedia of Evolution,by Richard Milner (483 pages, December 1993), is a trade paperback edition of the hardcover published by Facts-on-File in 1991. If you missed the first edition, you might want to purchase this informative guide to the concepts, discoveries, and people associated with evolutionary theory. The 650 essays cover the entire breadth of biology from mitochondrial DNA to Homo sapiens, as well as creationism, genetic engineering, bipedalism, social Darwinism, and dinosaurs. This edition includes updates on the rainforest crisis, the Alvarez theory of dinosaur extinction, and the evolution of whales. A copy may be purchased for $25.00 from Henry Holt Reference Books, 115 W. 118th St., New York, NY 10011. ISBN 0-8050-2717-3.

The Encyclopedia of the Peoples of the World,edited by Amiram Gonen (703 pages, November 1993), identifies the history, location, religion, language, economy, and social structure of more than 2,000 contemporary peoples and ethnic groups. If you find yourself puzzled by references in anthropological publications to “ethnobotany of the Savar” that assume everyone knows who and where the Savar are, this encyclopedia will enlighten you.

It also examines regional variations among more fa- miliar heterogeneous peo- ples, such as the Italians, Chinese, and Americans. The entries are supplemented with 250 black-and-white maps and photographs, and three 16-page color inserts. The photographs alone por- tray a wealth of information on facial structure, costume, art, architecture, food, and environment. A comprehen- sive index provides see and see-also references. A copy is $125.00 from Henry Holt Reference Books, 115 W. 118th St., New York, NY 10011. ISBN 0-8050-2256-2.

Full Duty: Vermonters in the Civil War,by Howard Coffin (376 pages, 1993), chronicles the experiences and exploits of Vermont citizens in the battles and campaigns and on the homefront. Borrowing heavily from contemporary diaries, journals, letters, and reminiscences, Coffin follows the Vermont units throughout the war and comments on the battle sites as they appear today. Well-illustrated and well- written, this book is a noteworthy addition to Civil War collections. Copies are available for $30.00 from Countryman Press, P.O. Box 175, Woodstock, VT 05091. ISBN 0-88150-274-X.

Guide to Technical Services Resources,edited by Peggy Johnson (313 pages, January 1994), lists more than 2,000 annotated and evaluative references to the most important information resources for technical services practitioners, educators, and students. The guide is divided into 12 chapters, each with its own editor who provides some background to the subject in a chapter overview. Chapter topics include acquisitions (Karen A. Schmidt), authority work (Stephen S. Hearn), and serials (Marcia A. Tuttle). All entries in this guide have a unique alphanumeric designation, which will help maintain a topical structure when supplements are issued. Carol Kelm prepared the comprehensive author/title and subject indexes. Copies may be purchased for $60.00 (ALA members $54.00) from the ALA Order Department, 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 606ll. ISBN 0- 8389-0624-9.