Overview
This extraordinary book defines and describes librarianship and library science through insightful and thoughtful essays contributed by 17 recognized leaders of the profession. While each essay presents a distinct perspective and approach, collectively they paint a picture of a humane and human profession central to and concerned with the cultural, social, political, and intellectual underpinnings of civilization. Often challenging and provocative, often moving, always engaging, the essays reflect a diverse and complex profession and the values, beliefs, practices, and philosophies that make it unique and vital. The essays take a variety of approaches: historical analysis, personal recollection, career review, political or social commentary, intellectual or philosophical musings, and short and long-term forecasting. Even when the essays address issues of a practical nature, they raise issues of concern in a broader context. The role of libraries in a democratic society is examined through the historical perspective of the Boston Mandate of 1852, the most recent US presidential election, and the current strain of censorship and intellectual freedom battles. What is the proper role of libraries as social organizations advocating societal reform and working toward the common weal? What is the role of government and politics in the profession? What is the responsibility and role of the library in determining or advocating public policy? If, as one essay elegantly and persuasively argues, our professional concern should center not on information or fact, but on truth, can we avoid political action and political repercussion? These are weighty issues addressed not only with passion, but also with a freedom and honesty seldom encountered. This is a powerful and important book that should be read by every librarian, every library student, every public official, indeed, every citizen concerned with his or her community.
Full Product Details
Author: Norman Horrocks
Publisher: Scarecrow Press
Imprint: Scarecrow Press
Dimensions:
Width: 16.80cm
, Height: 1.20cm
, Length: 22.70cm
Weight: 0.231kg
ISBN: 9780810853553
ISBN 10: 0810853558
Pages: 152
Publication Date: 09 June 2005
Audience:
General/trade
,
General
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: Manufactured on demand
We will order this item for you from a manufactured on demand supplier.
Reviews
Your library should buy this book not only for the staff, but for the community. The Australian Library Journal, February 2007 The timely publication of and the renowned authors in Perspectives, Insights & Priorities will greatly appeal to library students, while the immense diversity of topics and perfect balance of political fodder with inspirational passages will prove stimulating and reaffirming for all librarians... Libraries and The Cultural Record, Vol. 41, No. 3 One of librarianship's preeminent statesmen, Norman Horrocks, recruited 17 library giants to share their thoughts about the profession. In Perspectives, Insights, and Priorities: 17 Leaders Speak Freely of Librarianship, Horrocks shares their essays on the past, present, and future of the field. Included among the contributors are Molly Raphael, who discusses why libraries still matter; Kathleen de la Pena McCook, who examines social justice as a context for a career in librarianship; and Ginnie Cooper, who expounds on why libraries are the best public value. American Libraries If you are getting gray hair, you will probably remember the time when your mother made you take cod liver oil every day during the winter just to make sure you were getting your vitamin D. Then that wonderful experience was replaced by the vitamin D milk we all drink. So, when you feel your spirits weighed down by the problems of the day and you need a shot of library vitamin D, try reading one of these brief essays, written by luminaries in the field, about the profession as a whole. Reading these essays is like inviting a keynote speaker to a professional conference and listening to a little philosophy mixed in with a challenge to action on some of the more global issues confronting libraries...Bottom line: Recommended for a 10-minute shot in the arm. Teacher Librarian Here is a gem of a book, a work of art, a mosaic of our profession at the cutting edge of the 21st Century...Perspectives, Insights, and Priorities: 17 Leaders Speak Freely of Librarianship is, for its panoramic scope and quality of excellence, a must read for students of Library and Information Science, a must-have for academic libraries, highly recommended for public libraries and for any librarian or paraprofessional seeking a deeper insight into the heart of librarianship at its best. Catholic Library World The timely publication of and the renowned authors in Perspectives, Insights & Priorities will greatly appeal to library students, while the immense diversity of topics and perfect balance of political fodder with inspirational passages will prove stimulating and reaffirming for all librarians. Libraries and The Cultural Record, Vol. 41, No. 3 Edited by the legendary Horrocks, this collection is recommended for library schools and professional collections. Library Journal worthwhile essays for public librarians. Public Libraries Horrocks (emeritus, School of Library and Information Sciences, Dalhousie U., Canada) presents 17 essays in which professional librarians reflect on librarianship and library science in terms of their own experiences with the field. Contributors touch on a diversity of subjects, including the implications of the 2004 US presidential election on libraries, the values and ethics of librarianship, social justice as a context for a career in librarianship, the history of accessing and disseminating information from the oral tradition to the present, and the changing role of the library in the 21st century. Reference and Research Book News
Your library should buy this book not only for the staff, but for the community. Australian Library Journal One of librarianship's preeminent statesmen, Norman Horrocks, recruited 17 library giants to share their thoughts about the profession. In Perspectives, Insights, and Priorities: 17 Leaders Speak Freely of Librarianship, Horrocks shares their essays on the past, present, and future of the field. Included among the contributors are Molly Raphael, who discusses why libraries still matter; Kathleen de la Pena McCook, who examines social justice as a context for a career in librarianship; and Ginnie Cooper, who expounds on why libraries are the best public value. American Libraries If you are getting gray hair, you will probably remember the time when your mother made you take cod liver oil every day during the winter just to make sure you were getting your vitamin D. Then that wonderful experience was replaced by the vitamin D milk we all drink. So, when you feel your spirits weighed down by the problems of the day and you need a shot of library vitamin D, try reading one of these brief essays, written by luminaries in the field, about the profession as a whole. Reading these essays is like inviting a keynote speaker to a professional conference and listening to a little philosophy mixed in with a challenge to action on some of the more global issues confronting libraries...Bottom line: Recommended for a 10-minute shot in the arm. Teacher Librarian Here is a gem of a book, a work of art, a mosaic of our profession at the cutting edge of the 21st Century...Perspectives, Insights, and Priorities: 17 Leaders Speak Freely of Librarianship is, for its panoramic scope and quality of excellence, a must read for students of Library and Information Science, a must-have for academic libraries, highly recommended for public libraries and for any librarian or paraprofessional seeking a deeper insight into the heart of librarianship at its best. Catholic Library World The timely publication of and the renowned authors in Perspectives, Insights & Priorities will greatly appeal to library students, while the immense diversity of topics and perfect balance of political fodder with inspirational passages will prove stimulating and reaffirming for all librarians. Libraries and The Cultural Record Edited by the legendary Horrocks, this collection is recommended for library schools and professional collections. Library Journal worthwhile essays for public librarians. Public Libraries Horrocks (emeritus, School of Library and Information Sciences, Dalhousie U., Canada) presents 17 essays in which professional librarians reflect on librarianship and library science in terms of their own experiences with the field. Contributors touch on a diversity of subjects, including the implications of the 2004 US presidential election on libraries, the values and ethics of librarianship, social justice as a context for a career in librarianship, the history of accessing and disseminating information from the oral tradition to the present, and the changing role of the library in the 21st century. Reference and Research Book News
Author Information
Norman Horrocks is Professor Emeritus, School of Library and Information Studies (SLIS), Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Editorial Consultant and Series Editor for Scarecrow Press, and Contributing Editor for ""Library Journal"". He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (UK) and an Associate of the Library Association of Australia. In 2004, he was awarded Honorary Membership in the American Library Association, the association's highest award.
