The Tech set (10 volumes)

• 1.

  Next Gen Library Catalogs, Marshall Breeding.

• 2.

  Mobile Technology and Libraries, Jason Griffey.

• 3.

  Microblogging and Lifestreaming in Libraries, Robin Hastings.

• 4.

  Library Videos and Webcasts, Sean Robinson.

• 5.

  Wikis for Libraries, Lauren Pressley.

• 6.

  Technology Training in Libraries, Sarah Houghton‐Jan.

• 7.

  A Social Networking Primer for Libraries, Cliff Landis.

• 8.

  Library Camps and Unconferences, Steve Lawson.

• 9.

  Gaming in Libraries, Kelly Czarnecki.

• 10.

  Effective Blogging for Libraries, Connie Crosby.

This set is a great starting‐point for libraries wanting to discover and implement various technology trends and those who want to expand their web presence using new and emerging technologies. The set covers a range of ten topics, all of which serve as valuable guides to the interesting topics concerned. The set maintains a standard format for each book, employing a five‐step approach to each topic. Although the series has a strong North American bias, there is still enough common ground to make this series relevant and useful to an international audience. The books are well written and describe logical step‐by‐step instructions for implementing each topic. The series is useful for both beginners and the more technically literate.

Each book is self‐contained and follows the same format – planning, implementation, marketing, best practices, and measurements of success. The format and approach to each topic works well but on one or two occasions it becomes a bit formulaic. The really useful chapters are the Marketing and Measures of Success chapters, as they are both areas that libraries have struggled with.

While most topics revolve around web technologies there is no coverage of how they all tie in together, in particular with the library web site. This seems like a major omission and something that could have been an additional sixth step. This leaves the series a little disconnected. Another unfortunate inconsistency is that some volumes have a glossary and some do not.

The topics are well chosen, but with any technology‐based series there is significant chance that it will become superseded quickly. The books predate the release of the iPad and other tablets and there is no mention of cloud computing. Both of these are beginning to have huge impacts on the web and libraries. Despite these omissions there is much to recommend these books as an excellent starting place for any library thinking or already engaged in any of these activities. Each book contains a wealth of information and valuable tips and ideas.

Whilst the set alludes to the importance of each trend/topic to the future of libraries it lacks comprehensive detail. It does not provide a framework on how or why they will be important to the future of libraries and nor does it place this in the framework of what libraries represent and how and why they are changing. Beyond a cursory attempt it doesn't take a historical approach to any of these questions and lacks connectivity between the subject‐matter:

• 1.

  Next Gen Library Catalogs, Marshall Breeding. This is a great summary of how the online catalogue has developed and where it is heading. It covers the new trends and features that are being incorporated into the online catalogue. There is a thorough examination of the various options, ranging from open source to the latest from major ILS companies. The book explores the different kind of tools being used by these systems and also some developments in the field. However, it doesn't distinguish clearly between the library web site and its OPAC. Nor does it look into projects around the SOPAC (social OPAC) or other projects bringing social networking tools into the catalogues themselves.

• 2.

  Mobile Technology and Libraries, Jason Griffey. This book is one that is likely to become outdated very quickly, written before release of the iPad, which is a very fast developing topic. While a lot of the basic information will be relevant for some time, it is very North American centric especially when it discusses mobile carrier issues, which are specific the US. This book contains some information around e‐books, but really, this is a topic that needed its own volume, and not just as a component of mobile technologies. Otherwise, this a good snapshot of the apps available, and what publishers, distributors and libraries are doing.

• 3.

  Microblogging and Lifestreaming in Libraries, Robin Hastings. This volume provides a good introduction into life‐streaming applications such as twitter. It contains some useful information on the products available, and some ways of using them within the library context. Unfortunately, the book lacks information about how they fit into broader web presence, and ways to make it better relate to the library's other web presence. It is also too disconnected from the other volume on social networking. There is a focus on using the applications in the context of conversations, rather than seeing other uses of these applications, for example tweeting content/page creations from the library web site. It is common to all the books that the library web site and ability to not only use, but create some of these technologies is not covered in enough detail.

• 4.

  Library Videos and Webcasts, Sean Robinson. This is a great primer for learning how to use and make videos. This book is really well written as an instructional manual for using video in various contexts for your library. It focuses on video for promotion, information and instruction. This volume misses the fundamental point that video can be used as a means to record history and or events, and to create a video repository. This volume is a terrific starting point for any library wanting to add video as a help or instructional feature. Suffice to say, video can be a great marketing tool.

• 5.

  Wikis for Libraries, Lauren Pressley. Pressley has written a clear and concise primer for Wikis. Her examples are clear and tie in well with other volumes in this set. Pressley also discusses preservation plans, and this discussion probably needs more detail, as this potentially can become a huge issue for libraries.

• 6.

  Technology Training in Libraries, Sarah Houghton‐Jan. This book cuts an excellent balance between practical training plans and the theory of effective training. It also explains methods for calculating ROI (Return on Investment) and importantly includes measures for successful training. A further interesting discussion includes brief comments (although pertinent) about Customer's Value Perception. This volume should enable library staff to plan tailored training for their library or at least to be active in designing a plan with support from IT.

• 7.

  A Social Networking Primer for Libraries, Cliff Landis. This book has some invaluable lists such as, “Implementation and Project ideas”. Landis has some brilliant comments to make that include such lines as “Librarians are control freaks by nature. We're used to information control, controlled vocabulary, and strict hierarchies of organisation”. To effectively use social networking tools then we have to move away from such beliefs and controls and methods are described in appropriate detail. There is an interesting chapter on marketing, which includes the critical point of making sure social networking devices are integrated into the library's overall marketing plan. Landis emphasises that success depends on asking our users what they would like, rather than us prescribing to them.

• 8.

  Library Camps and Unconferences, Steve Lawson. This book was a great read, because it describes the opposite of the traditional formal conference, “An Unconference” or a “Library Camp.” The book describes guidelines and requirements to plan and implement a successful event. Lawson describes using possible Web 2.0 applications when planning a face‐to‐face library camp. Whilst such a book is a useful step‐by‐step guide, it may not have been necessary to dedicate a whole book to such a simple concept.

• 9.

  Gaming in Libraries, Kelly Czarnecki. This is a great book looking at how gaming is not just for kids. It explains how gaming can be both educational and socially recreational. Great information around games and consoles that are available and a good look at some of the coming trends. The main focus of this volume is on using games as part of events and it doesn't delve much into gaming consoles as fixed spaces within libraries. It also includes some exciting and imaginative ideas around events that can be run and excellent information to help get you started. The book also tackles other gaming – including online games but it has limited discussion around using PCs as game consoles. It does mention mobile and handheld devices but predates the iPad, which has a strong potential as a gaming device.

• 10.

  Effective Blogging for Libraries, Connie Crosby. Crosby provides a candid discussion on the many positives to be gained from using blogs as well as the possible pitfalls. The chapter on marketing focuses on writers using an engaging style of writing and presentation. This is a useful reminder for library staff, because we have often been guilty of an over use of formal communication. This volume connects well to other volumes in the set. Chapter 6 is essential reading because it describes and lists useful metrics software.