With insightful comments from a variety of sources-and a generous dose of humor-Shuman builds fictional scenarios that are guaranteed to get librarians thinking, What if...? Eight new scenarios explore such developments as virtual reality, robots, time travel, computer viruses, security, and more-all within the context of the public library (or cybrary, as the author calls it). Written in a conversational tone, the book is intended to stimulate discourse and exploration of issues. Current trends are carefully woven into each scenario as Shuman investigates issues surrounding the library's...

Are libraries destined for extinction as more people turn to the Web for their information needs? Or will the role of libraries expand to bridge the gap between information haves and have-nots? How will censorship issues, information overload, and archiving affect libraries in years to come? The immense changes brought by the Internet pose many questions and dilemmas for today's librarians, challenging many fundamental beliefs and practices. This timely work addresses a number of major critical issues facing libraries and our society. Join author Bruce Shuman to explore the challenges and...

This book employs a familiar vehicle in library literature--the case study--but in a departure from the expected, takes that time-honored genre into a new dimension. Shuman uses the conversational narrative as a vehicle for portraying 40 security and safety issues that may arise in libraries, disturbing or vexing patrons and library staff members, alike. Unlike the traditional narrative approach of other case study books, in this work, each case is presented as a soliloquy, within a fictional but plausible library situation, whereby the protagonist uses his or her own colorful mode of...

Novice and advanced online searchers can prepare for cost-effective electronic database searching with this new resource. Starting with approximately 50 typical reference questions, the cases track through the steps and components of successful searches. The process includes conversation and question negotiation, strategy formulation, discussion of alternative approaches, search algorithm, file selection, search results, evaluation, and further steps if necessary. The tone of the work is conversational and advisory, and emphasis is on practical and creative problem solving. A great...