Libraries and Information Services in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland 2009‐2010

Citation

Freeman, M. (2011), "Libraries and Information Services in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland 2009‐2010", New Library World, Vol. 112 No. 3/4, pp. 191-191. https://doi.org/10.1108/03074801111117113

It seems more of a truism of modern life that the more automated and computerised everything gets the more we need to have personal contact, to interact, to network, to be, I suppose, “human”. And this new book from Facet Publishing's reputable stable provides a valuable ally in making contact and fostering those informal personal and professional relationships so priceless to LIS workers. It is so important to link to, amongst the incessant flood of emails and automated messages, a “named person” ‐ a real human being who can understand and be flexible and responsive. This essential reference work from Facet Publishing, clearly laid out and printed, is a well known Directory of the LIS community in the UK and Ireland, providing the enquirer with an up to date, thoroughly checked and approved list of libraries and information units – no matter how arcane – and their librarians' and LIS service managers' names, postal and email addresses, websites and telephone numbers.

The book has several divisions – first, and perhaps most importantly, the Public Libraries of the UK and Ireland. All the local authorities' libraries are well covered with good, clear and up to date information. Thus if I want to contact the Borough Librarian of Hartlepool, there he is, complete with email address and phone number. Invaluable for the LIS professional and a great help for researchers, library suppliers, students and educationalists as well.

After the substantial Public Libraries section comes the useful section on Academic libraries covering the profusion of HE Institutions in this country, ranging from the University of Salford to Spurgeon's College in London. Perhaps the most interesting parts of the book are the selected Government, National and Special Libraries in the UK and Ireland sections. These display in all their glory the sheer breadth and depth of LIS provision available – an invaluable resource. Ranging from the Ambless Society Library in Enniskillen through to the Linnean Society of London and the Scottish Parliament Library, the range is breathtaking in its diversity and coverage.

A long established reference work, thoroughly reputable and meticulously checked, with a clear helpful Index and a handy section on Schools of LIS, good coverage of the Republic of Ireland, this is a reference work which should be on every LIS professional's personal bookshelf. Of course, the data is time sensitive – even librarians die, get promotions, move on, dropout even – so the list is always a little fluid. Nevertheless this fine work is an essential and authoritative tool for the modern LIS practitioner.