This is a slender volume of 147 pages, and is pleasantly laid out either for use as a reference work or for a more studied approach. The target readers are people who are new to business librarianship or those who are not familiar with British business conditions. The book would also appeal to business researchers and students.
There are some excellent sections for information professionals starting out in their first business‐related job. The first chapter reminds us of the importance of the interview process and shows some typical business questions one would expect in a business library. There are some cautionary “watch out!” points scattered through the book to remind us of some of the pitfalls of using statistical sources and other traps for beginners.
Then there are chapters on British business structures, their size and statistical information about them. Interestingly of the 4.3 million businesses in Britain, 99.3 per cent are considered “small” – that is, having between 0‐49 employees. This is followed by Companies Office requirements and company registration and disclosure in Britain, including a brief discussion of the Companies Act 2006 and its implications. Practical sections include obtaining information about a company, from the company itself (including financial data, annual reports, and company announcements) through to external sources like news sources, and stockbroker or analysts' reports published about the company.
Throughout the book at the end of each chapter are lists of key and critical sources including web sites you can use to access the type of information contained in each chapter. There are also URLs for journal articles, which illustrate aspects of the chapter. Most of these web site URLs will remain constant as they are important sites, and so any doubts about the validity of including URLs in this book are outweighed by the usefulness of being able to immediately home in on major sources of information.
Other chapters go into aspects of business librarianship such as statistics. In the chapter on researching markets and market research sources, there is introductory material on the use of SIC codes, and a glossary of terms frequently used in market research. Another chapter covers biographical sources for British business people, and help with international trade sources, including contacts for the British advisory bodies for assistance with trade.
There is advice on how one should keep up to date with the wide variety of sources used in business libraries. The final section recommends business librarians' resources, journals, blogs, professional groups and conferences. There are also addresses for contacting professional business information services throughout Britain.
This is a very handy book, very well laid out and offering quick reference access, or a more studied read. It is comprehensive in its coverage of sources, although it does not have a crammed aspect. There is acknowledgement of the wider European aspects to business in Britain. There is a very good range of official sites and sources, to help you get to grips with the British business structures, but also many helpful specialist sites to help answer particular queries.
I have often daydreamed of another trip to Britain to work in a business library for a few months, while enjoying time there again, and this little book would be packed first in my suitcase.
