ACRL College & Research Libraries News

College & Research Libraries News

PUBLICATIONS

• The Book in Americas: The Role of Books and Printing in the Development of Culture and Society in Colonial Latin America , by Julie Greer Johnson (142 pages, 1988), is the catalogue of an exhibition organized by the John Carter Brown Library for the conference on “The Book in the Americas” held in June 1987. The earliest examples of New World typography were the focus of the exhibition, and attention was given to the representation of diverse disciplines. The catalogue describes 73 very rare or unique items from Spanish and Portuguese America that demonstrate the transfer of European technology, the assimilation of Indian culture, the growth of institutions of higher learning, the creativity of artists and writers, and the emergence of a national consciousness. Supplemented with extensive bibliographical information and many excellent illustrations. A copy may be ordered for $35.00 from the John Carter Brown Library, Publications, Brown University, Box 1894, Providence, RI 02912. ISBN 0-916617-30-0.

•The Collection Development Policy Statement of Columbia University Libraries (274 pages, 1988) may provide a useful model for libraries who are developing similar policies. Collection descriptions and development guidelines are given for all the major subjects collected, as well as area studies and special formats and collections. Copies may be ordered for $25.00 (prepaid) from the Columbia University Libraries, Gifts and Exchange Department, 104 Butler Library, 535 West 114th St., New York, NY 10027.

• Comic Books and Strips: An Information Sourcebook, by Randall W. Scott (152 pages, 1988), is an annotated bibliography of the most important books, periodicals, and library collections relating to comic books and strips. The author provides a recommended core collection of 100 titles that should be found in a library wishing to offer adequate secondary material for college-level research in the comics area. The book costs $30.00 and may be ordered from Oryx Press, 2214 North Central at Encanto, Suite 103, Phoenix, AZ 85004-1483. ISBN 0-89774-389-X.

•The Directory of Japanese Technical Resources (2d ed., 1988) contains citations for more than 230 significant Japanese technical documents translated by the U.S. government and made available in 1987 and 1988 through the National Technical Information Service or the National Translation Center. The directory lists sources of translation services, university training programs, and case histories of the successful utilization of Japanese technical information by U.S. businesses. Other features are a description of U.S. government efforts to carry out the provisions of the Japanese Technical Literature Act, and a private sector impression of America’s readiness to take advantage of Japanese technology. Copies are available for $36 (plus $3 handling) from the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA 22161. PB88-211073.

• A Guide to Special Collections in the OCLC Database, edited by Philip Schieber, Virginia G. Voedisch, and Becky A. Wright (120 pages, 2d ed., 1988), provides brief descriptions of 267 special collections supplied to OCLC by 137 member institutions. Expanded features on Shakespeare and Bach show database growth in both current and retrospective materials in almost every decade of publication. A copy may be obtained from the Online Computer Library Center, MC 024, Special Collections Guide, 6565 Frantz Road, Dublin, OH 43017. ISBN 1-55653-025-0.

• How Americans in Transition Study for College Credit, by Carol B. Aslanian and Henry M. Brick- ell (123 pages, September 1988), examines the demographics of the adult student population as well as their patterns of study. The result of a national survey of more than 1,000 American adult students 25 years or older, the book examines such questions as how students choose a college, whether adults are committed to credit study, whether adult students study only at night, whether they are more self-sufficient than younger students, and what differences there are between adult students enrolled in private versus public institutions. One notes with interest that “a library desk for private use” ranked equally with “adult lounges” and “free admission to college sports events” as a desired service. Copies may be ordered for $9.95 from College Board Publications, Box 886, New York, NY 10106-0886. ISBN 0-87447-312-8.

• Resources: A Directory of New York City Directories, edited by Patricia A. Friedland (50 pages, 1988), is a listing of information sources in the areas of education, health, community organizations, older adults, daycare, employment and disabilities, and other social concerns. Only titles, publishers’ address and phone number, and cost are given, but a subject index arranges entries in a logical manner for the non-specialist. The book may be obtained for $6.50 from the Office of Information, Community Service Society, 105 E. 22d St., New York, NY 10010. ISBN 0-88156-075-8.

• The Salary Survey of New England College Libraries, 1987/88, has recently been published by the New England Chapter of the Association of College and Research Libraries. The publication is based on the statistics format used by the Association of Research Libraries and provides comparable data for non-ARL New England college libraries. Copies are available for $5.00 (checks payable to ACRL New England Chapter) from Susan Baughman, Director, Goddard Library, Clark University, Worcester, MA 01610.

• Serials Control and Deselection Projects, SPEC Kit #147 (117 pages, September 1988), reprints documents from 12 ARL member libraries and the Research Libraries Group. The documents reflect the various efforts of library directors and collection development librarians to describe, explain, justify, and resolve the problems of controlling serial subscription costs. Included are examples of memoranda informing and instructing faculty and librarians; tables, graphs, and spreadsheets to provide a statistical perspective; reports to administrators explaining the situation within a local and national context; internal operating policies, procedures, timetables, and forms; progress reports, newsletters, and press releases. SPEC Kits are available for $20.00 from the ARL Office of Management Services, 1527 New Hampshire Ave., N.W., Washington, DC 20036.

• Too Sad to Sing: A Memoir with Postcards, by Kenneth S. Rrecher (118 pages, June 1988), is a series of short, personal essays on how postcards can affect one’s life and memories. Written by the director of the Boston Children’s Museum, the book explores the author’s geographic and literary adventures and illustrates them abundantly with postcards from the author’s collection. A copy may be obtained for $22.95 from Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 111 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10003. ISBN 0-15-190493-6.

• “We Gather Together” Food and Festival in American Life, edited by Theodore C. Humphrey and Lin T. Humphrey (289 pages, 1988), examines the rituals by which Americans prepare and share food to create a sense of group identity and community. Special contemporary occasions for feasting are examined from a sociological and folkloric viewpoint: Passover, Halloween, family clambakes, homecoming celebrations, Minnesota booya festivals, Festa Italiana, and others. Copies are available for $39.95 from UMI Research Press, 300 N. Zeeb Rd., Ann Arbor, MI 48106. ISBN 0- 8357-1890-5.

• Youth Indicators 1988: Trends in the Well-Being of American Youth (135 pages, August 1988) tracks the characteristics and attitudes of 14- to 24- year-olds as far back as 1950. Find out if today’s college students are indeed richer or dumber than we were in our heyday. Tables and graphs illustrate trends in demographics, family income, education, employment, health, behavior, and attitudes. A free copy may be obtained from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Educational Research and Improvement, Washington, DC 20208. PIP 88-834.