Overview

A library's primary function is to provide access to information considered useful or valuable to the society in which they exist. True to their introduction, Evans and Carter provide a solid, broadly based view of library public service and its functions. As in the preceding edition, its authors marry the importance of the help ethos with a plethora of technological tools and techniques. Coverage of such essential topics as circulation, reference, interlibrary loan, literacy instruction, reserves, and security has been extended, updated, and predicated on the importance of keeping a watchful eye on ethical and legal implications. New to this edition are discussions of staffing and training, customer service, programming, and assessment. The result brings into focus the duties and responsibilities of both professional librarians and support staff, with particular emphasis on areas of common concern.

Full Product Details

9781591585954

Table of Contents

Reviews

This book introduces library support staff and volunteers to the nature, purposes, and challenges of library public services. Each chapter covers the role and philosophy of major functional areas of library public services, such as circulation, interlibrary loan, literacy instruction, and security. While examples and discussion emphasize US library practices and services, there is also material drawn from other English-speaking parts of the world. Chapter summaries and review questions are included. This seventh edition reflects changes in the field since the last edition was published in 1999, especially changes related to technology and the Web. It contains four new chapters, on staffing and training for public service duties, customer service, special services programming, and assessment. - Reference & Research Book News

For this new edition, Evans and Carter have revised all chapters and have totally rewritten four: chapter 2, which explores the issues of staffing and training; chapter 3, which deals with customer service and quality service; chapter 14, which explores special services such as programming; and chapter 16, which deals with assessment and how it relates to quality service. Evans and Carter also note since the last edition the growing importance of volunteers and support staff in the work of public services and, having written the book in 2008, capture the economic downturn in their approach, mentioning how libraries will rely more on these cadres of important staff. This library-science text stands alone and should be an assigned text in most library schools. It would not be out of line for department managers in any type of library to assign readings to their frontline staff and have formal staff discussions or more informal water-cooler interchanges. - Booklist

<p> For this new edition, Evans and Carter have revised all chapters and have totally rewritten four: chapter 2, which explores the issues of staffing and training; chapter 3, which deals with customer service and quality service; chapter 14, which explores special services such as programming; and chapter 16, which deals with assessment and how it relates to quality service. Evans and Carter also note since the last edition the growing importance of volunteers and support staff in the work of public services and, having written the book in 2008, capture the economic downturn in their approach, mentioning how libraries will rely more on these cadres of important staff. This library-science text stands alone and should be an assigned text in most library schools. It would not be out of line for department managers in any type of library to assign readings to their frontline staff and have formal staff discussions or more informal water-cooler interchanges. - <p>Booklist

"""For this new edition, Evans and Carter have revised all chapters and have totally rewritten four: chapter 2, which explores the issues of staffing and training; chapter 3, which deals with customer service and quality service; chapter 14, which explores special services such as programming; and chapter 16, which deals with assessment and how it relates to quality service. Evans and Carter also note since the last edition the growing importance of volunteers and support staff in the work of public services and, having written the book in 2008, capture the economic downturn in their approach, mentioning how libraries will rely more on these cadres of important staff. This library-science text stands alone and should be an assigned text in most library schools. It would not be out of line for department managers in any type of library to assign readings to their frontline staff and have formal staff discussions or more informal water-cooler interchanges."" - Booklist ""This book introduces library support staff and volunteers to the nature, purposes, and challenges of library public services. Each chapter covers the role and philosophy of major functional areas of library public services, such as circulation, interlibrary loan, literacy instruction, and security. While examples and discussion emphasize US library practices and services, there is also material drawn from other English-speaking parts of the world. Chapter summaries and review questions are included. This seventh edition reflects changes in the field since the last edition was published in 1999, especially changes related to technology and the Web. It contains four new chapters, on staffing and training for public service duties, customer service, special services programming, and assessment."" - Reference & Research Book News"

Author Information

G. Edward Evans, a renowned Fulbright scholar and sought-after international consultant, is retired university librarian and adjunct professor at Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, California. Thomas L. Carter is dean for Academic Resources at St. Mary's College of California.

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