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eBook/Digital Version available from:
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Score: 96 |
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| Building Health Sciences Library Collections: A Handbook |
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Doody's Core Title (2024 Edition)
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| Score(s): |
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1.93
(Health Sciences - Library and Information Science)
Essential Purchase Title
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ISBN: 978-1-5381-7272-8,
144 pages,
Soft Cover
ISBN-10: 1-5381-7272-0 |
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| Copyright: |
2023 |
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| Edition: |
1st |
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| Editor: |
Inman, Megan, MLIS; Rose, Marlena, MLIS |
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Specialties:
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Library and Information Science |
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| Publisher: |
Rowman & Littlefield |
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| Series Title: |
Medical Library Association Books |
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| List Price: |
$55.00 |
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At A Glance
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Collection development is a cornerstone of librarianship; and with the rapid pace that library materials are produced, a thorough knowledge of collection development is more important than ever before. However, with the myriad of choices available, creating a meaningful collection can be a daunting task. Building and maintaining a health sciences library collection can be a challenge, especially in scenarios where there is no dedicated collection services department or collection development librarian. Often in library school curriculum, collection development strategies are discussed, but specific examples of bibliographic sources may not be covered in detail, particularly for health sciences resources. Many collection development books often discuss the creation of policies, budgeting practices, and usability. This book is a comprehensive reference guide for those who will be creating and curating their library health sciences collections. Moving beyond a traditional list of titles, this guide will focus on several formats and areas. It features specific bibliographic information for top resources for a variety of subject areas and in a variety of formats. This book is designed for all librarians, whether new or experienced. Each chapter of this title does a deep dive into an area of health sciences library collection building, as well as covering how to maintain a current collection. This book is designed to provide readers with a resource to lean on in determining the best bets in providing their users with health sciences resources to support curriculum, practice, and other user needs. Readers who are interested in gleaning techniques for maintaining their health sciences library collection will also benefit from this how-to guide as it details the deselection process. Every health sciences librarian, no matter their experience, can benefit from this reference guide.
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Reviewer:
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Kristy White,
MSLS, MS
(Duquesne University)
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Range
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Question
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Score
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| 1-10 |
Are the author's objectives met? |
10 |
| 1-10 |
Rate the worthiness of those objectives. |
10 |
| 1-5 |
Is this written at an appropriate level? |
5 |
| 1-5 |
Is there significant duplication? (1=significant, 5=insignificant) |
4 |
| 1-5 |
Are there significant omissions? (1=significant, 5=insignificant) |
5 |
| 1-5 |
Rate the authority of the authors. |
5 |
| 1-5 |
Are there sufficient illustrations? |
N/A |
| 1-5 |
Rate the pedagogic value of the illustrations. |
N/A |
| 1-5 |
Rate the print quality of the illustrations. |
N/A |
| 1-5 |
Are there sufficient references? |
5 |
| 1-5 |
Rate the currency of the references. |
5 |
| 1-5 |
Rate the pertinence of the references. |
5 |
| 1-5 |
Rate the helpfulness of the index. |
3 |
| 1-5 |
If important in this specialty, rate the physical appearance of the book |
N/A |
| 1-10 |
Is this a worthwhile contribution to the field? |
10 |
| 1-10 |
If this is a 2nd or later edition, is this new edition needed? |
N/A |
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Reviewer:
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Kristy White,
MSLS, MS
(Duquesne University)
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Description
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| This book is a well-rounded and informative guide, crucial for anyone involved in library collection development, especially in health sciences. The chapters cover a wide-range of topics, each addressing a unique facet of health sciences library collections. It's a resource that doesn't just inform but also equips librarians with the knowledge and tools they need to effectively develop and maintain health sciences library collections in a rapidly evolving landscape. |
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Purpose
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| The book's purpose is to provide comprehensive guidance for librarians in developing and maintaining collections in the health sciences. The book aims to address the complexities and rapid advancements in health sciences resources and library materials, emphasizing practical strategies and diverse perspectives. These objectives are indeed worthy, as they fulfill a significant need in library science, especially in the specialized area of health sciences. The rapidly evolving nature of health sciences literature and resources necessitates a current and detailed guide for librarians. The book meets these objectives by presenting a well-organized, clear, and in-depth approach to collection development, covering a broad spectrum of relevant topics. Its focus on areas like diversity, emerging trends, and specific health sciences subjects ensures it's a valuable and contemporary resource for its target audience. |
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Audience
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| The book effectively meets the needs of its intended audience, primarily librarians in health sciences. The book is penned by authors with deep expertise in their respective fields, which ensures the content is highly relevant and practical. The comprehensive approach covering various aspects of collection development makes it a valuable guide for those in this field. Megan Inman and Marlena Rose, the editors, are well-qualified with Inman's background in psychology and library science and Rose's senior-level certification in health information professionalism. Alongside them, chapter authors like Derek Marshall, Alessia Zanin-Yost, Matthew Noe, Robyn Gleasner, Kerry Sewell, and Jeanne Hoover contribute specialized knowledge across various aspects of health sciences library collection development, ensuring a comprehensive and practical resource for librarians. They cover a wide array of topics crucial for modern librarians in this field. Their collective insights on diverse and inclusive collections, emerging topics, and specialized areas like medicine and nursing make this handbook an essential guide for librarians aiming to excel in health sciences collection development. |
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Features
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| This book delves into the intricacies of developing library collections in health sciences. The book offers an in-depth look into each aspect of the process, from managing deselection processes to keeping up with emerging topics and developing collections in specific areas like medicine, nursing, and allied health. The book stands out for its practical focus, providing librarians with valuable strategies and insights. A unique feature is its comprehensive approach to diverse and evolving health sciences literature. The chapter on Open Educational Resources, a key contemporary issue, and the focus on nontraditional online collections highlight the forward-thinking approach of the book. This handbook is not just a collection of chapters but a cohesive guide. The organization of the material and the clarity of writing make it accessible and practical for librarians at all levels of experience. However, it might benefit from more detailed coverage of certain niche topics within health sciences. The balance of theory and practice makes it a valuable guide for librarians. |
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Assessment
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| This book offers valuable insights into the field of health sciences librarianship. Compared to other texts, this one stands out for its practical focus on collection development in health sciences, making it particularly relevant for librarians directly involved in building and maintaining these specialized collections. When comparing this book to other books in the field, two notable works come to mind. Health Sciences Collection Development: An Overview of Fundamental Knowledge and Practices, Medical Library Association Collection Development Caucus (VCU Libraries, 2023), (is a comprehensive, Open Access guide that explores a variety of topics pertinent to health sciences collection development. It covers unique collection genres such as augmented reality, consumer health, and veterinary medicine, and delves into issues like vendor relationships and licensing. This text seems particularly useful for those looking for an extensive overview of the responsibilities and tasks involved in managing health sciences collections. Health Sciences Librarianship, Wood (Rowman & Littlefield, 2014), on the other hand, provides a broad overview of health sciences librarianship. It includes topics like collection development of journals, books, and electronic resources, health informatics, and management in academic health sciences libraries. The book is structured in a way that facilitates ease of use, making it a valuable resource for students, new librarians, and experienced professionals seeking a comprehensive understanding of medical librarianship. |
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