Reviews

Microcomputers are now vital tools in many libraries and information centres and they are used not only to facilitate administrative and clerical operations but also as a means of accessing information in many different formats. Yet the need for proper management, control and maintenance of these machines has not received the attention it deserves except by way of passing references in the literature on the use of microcomputers in libraries. Elizabeth Lane has attempted to fill the gap with a comprehensive manual. On the management side it covers the planning process, assessment of needs and system requirements, evaluation and cost/benefit analysis, purchase and installation, orientation and training, and record keeping. On the maintenance side the subject is divided into preventive maintenance, responsive maintenance, and costs.