The wide availability of public access computers in various types of libraries calls for an unprecedented combination of technical expertise and managerial stratagems in library operations and administration. To cope with the increasing interest in this new service area, this manual offers useful management guidelines and technical details. The 11 chapters include a wide range of topics such as computer and networking fundamentals, staff development and deployment, inter‐departmental coordination between a library and computing services, and user behaviour control.
In the technical domain the manual features concise and comparative descriptions of hardware and software that constitute components of the public computing environment in a library. This essential knowledge is beneficial for both technical and administrative personnel. The explanations of computer technology in lay terms are exceptionally valuable for public services librarians, who in turn can easily articulate them to patrons with little or no technical background. The practical guidelines and advice given by the author in planning and implementing public access computing facilities are especially useful for those with no experience. They also should help decision makers avoid potentially costly pitfalls and achieve optimal results. Through Web‐based citations and references, the information in the book is dynamic and up to date, and this successfully reduces the temporal and spatial restrictions usually associated with printed materials on computer services.
A particular strength of this how‐to manual is its emphasis on management principles, strategies and tactics that are frequently overlooked by people in this area, who tend to be more interested in the technical issues. For instance, the ubiquitous printing problem is reviewed holistically, from printer functionality and paper handling, to pay‐to‐print mechanisms and economics. Regarding computer security, the approach goes well beyond plain statements of general policies into the specifics of risk identification and breach prevention. Staffing and staff training topics are visited thoroughly with the assistance of a multitude of ready‐to‐use sample forms. With regard to relations between libraries, systems departments and users, the communication strategies and techniques laid out by the author are widely applicable.
On the whole, Barclay’s manual is a pragmatic and resourceful contribution. The user‐friendly narration of computer and management techniques will find a wide audience and should facilitate better communication among computer supporting staff, librarians and patrons. This manual is a remarkably cost‐effective and dynamic knowledge database that is constantly updated through the Web‐based references. It is highly recommended.
