New book details the reasons why people blog.

July 2, 2010 (New York, NY) – In 1997, there were only 23 websites labeled “blogs.” Today, there are more than 100 million of them in at least 88 different languages. Why Blog? Motivations for Blogging, to be released in North America by Neal-Schuman Publishers on August 15, 2010, explains why people blog and what makes this communication form so effective.

Sarah Pedersen, an expert on media, business, and communications, conducted three research studies focusing on the motivations behind blogging in both the U.S. and Britain. She describes the various types of blogs that have appeared across the Web in the form of diaries, letters to the editor, therapy, friendship, journalism, political activism, and a means of marketing and advertising. Pederson provides data showing the differences in use by gender and nationality.
Following her introduction defining the phenomenon and describing research on the blogosphere, in Chapter 2 Pedersen covers journal blogs, otherwise known as the “online diaries.” She discusses how a traditional form has transformed through the Internet. In Chapter 3 she delves into its use as journalism, allowing writers and others to voice their political beliefs and make their voices heard. In Chapter 4, Pedersen describes how the practice can benefit the blogger through relationships and positive feedback from readers. The next chapters cover practicalities and logistics: security concerns, turning a profit, and using blogs as tools. Two final chapters cover comparisons of the practice according to gender and nationality. Pedersen concludes the book with a discussion of the results of her research and how different forms can be more effective. She illustrates the text throughout with charts and tables comparing trends among groups.

Timely, informative and well-supported with data, Why Blog? will benefit information professionals and marketers, along with anyone looking to start or improve a blog.

Why Blog? Motivations for Blogging

ISBN 978-1-84334-583-1.
2010. 6 x 9. 152 pp.  $99.95

About the Author

Sarah Pedersen is a Reader at the Department of Communication, Marketing and Media at The Robert Gordon University. Her research focuses on several areas of Internet and media use.

About Neal-Schuman Publishers and Chandos Publishing

Founded in 1976, Neal-Schuman Publishers is based in New York City with offices in London, UK. Neal-Schuman is a leading publisher of professional and academic titles in all areas of library and information studies. Since June 2009, Neal-Schuman has also been the exclusive North American distributor for titles from the United Kingdom’s Chandos Publishing, a division of Woodhead Publishing Limited.  Chandos books are a leading, highly practical source of authoritative information for professionals and researchers worldwide.

For More Information and/or Cover Art

Contact Laura Berlinsky-Schine

laura.berlinsky-schine@neal-schuman.com

100 William Street, Suite 2004

New York, NY 10038

212-925-8650

www.neal-schuman.com

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June 24, 2010 (New York, NY) — Why and how can organizations better leverage their knowledge and information? Web 2.0 Knowledge Technologies and the Enterprise: Smarter, Lighter and Cheaper, to be released in North America by Neal-Schuman Publishers on July 30, 2010, demonstrates how businesses, non-profits, and governmental agencies can capture and deliver valuable information. Paul Jackson, one of the foremost authorities on information and knowledge management and systems development, reveals how to exploit Web 2.0 tools to shape the business landscape.

In his introduction, Jackson outlines the need to develop a plan and structure for using Web 2.0. Chapter 2 delves into the specifics of new technology — defining the label and the tools this umbrella term encompasses — followed by a discussion of the reasons for implementing them in business. The fourth and fifth chapters move from theoretical use of these tools to the spaces in which the programs develop, such as encyclopedias, groups, and learning, and the function, or structure, of implementing them. In Chapter 6 Jackson addresses use, discussing how these programs fit into various contexts.  And in his final chapter,  “Putting it Together,” he describes how best to use Web 2.0 in a business enterprise. He concludes with a summary and contextualization of the new technologies. Jackson illustrates his book throughout with detailed stories, experiences and examples.

Web 2.0 Knowledge Technologies and the Enterprise: Smarter, Lighter and Cheaper is one of the first business books to examine the influence of Web 2.0 on businesses and provide guidance on how to use them to take control of the business landscape.

Web 2.0 Knowledge Technologies and the Enterprise: Smarter, Lighter and Cheaper

ISBN 978-1-84334-537-4.
2010. 6 x 9. 264 pp.  $119.95

About the Author

Paul Jackson is an information and knowledge management specialist who has been a systems developer, product development manager, strategic consultant and academic during an international career spanning 25 years.

About Neal-Schuman Publishers and Chandos Publishing

Founded in 1976, Neal-Schuman Publishers is based in New York City with offices in London, UK. Neal-Schuman is a leading publisher of professional and academic titles in all areas of library and information studies. Since June 2009, Neal-Schuman has also been the exclusive North American distributor for titles from the United Kingdom’s Chandos Publishing, a division of Woodhead Publishing Limited.  Chandos books are a leading, highly practical source of authoritative information for professionals and researchers worldwide.

For More Information and/or Cover Art

Contact Laura Berlinsky-Schine

laura.berlinsky-schine@neal-schuman.com

100 William Street, Suite 2004

New York, NY 10038

212-925-8650

www.neal-schuman.com

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June 30, 2010 (New York, NY) — E-learning is changing the academic landscape, and new technologies are emerging every day. Web 2.0 and Libraries: Impacts, Technologies and Trends, to be released in North America by Neal-Schuman Publishers on August 15, 2010, shows librarians how they can apply the latest technologies to deliver new services and better access to information to users.

Editors Dave Parkes and Geoff Walton blend their own essays with contributions from some of the best experts and educators in the fields of e-learning and digital technology, including Liz Hart, Mark Hepworth, Brian Kelly, David Ley, Helen Walmsley, and Jenny Yorke.

Each of the book’s four parts includes essays discussing the particulars of an aspect of e-learning. In the first part, Place, contributors give an overview of the teaching and learning landscape and describe how digital libraries fit into physical libraries. The second part, People, outlines the impact of social networking and strategies for using technology in staff development. In the third part, Technologies, contributors describe specific technologies and strategies for using new technologies to their fullest potential.  The fourth part examines the background, changes, and impact of Web 2.0. Each essay is well-organized with an introduction outlining the topic, plus numerous charts, diagrams, and examples documenting the data, best practices, and real scenarios that support the text.  .

Web 2.0 and Libraries: Impacts, Technologies and Trends is an indispensable resource for librarians and information professionals looking to understand and utilize the latest technologies to deliver the most up-to-date information and useful services.

Web 2.0 and Libraries: Impacts, Technologies and Trends

ISBN 978-1-84334-346-2.
2010. 6 x 9. 188 pp.  $95.00.

About the Editors

Dave Parkes is Associate Director of Information services at Staffordshire University . A Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, he writes and speaks widely on the provision of information and digital literacy, e-books and emerging technologies to universities, publishers, academics and other librarians.

Geoff Walton is Academic Skills Tutor Librarian and Research informed teaching (RiT) Project Coordinator at Staffordshire University. He is involved in identifying synergies between research, teaching, learning, information literacy, e-learning and inquiry-based learning.

About Neal-Schuman Publishers and Chandos Publishing

Founded in 1976, Neal-Schuman Publishers is based in New York City with offices in London, UK. Neal-Schuman is a leading publisher of professional and academic titles in all areas of library and information studies. Since June 2009, Neal-Schuman has also been the exclusive North American distributor for titles from the United Kingdom’s Chandos Publishing, a division of Woodhead Publishing Limited.  Chandos books are a leading, highly practical source of authoritative information for professionals and researchers worldwide.

For More Information and/or Cover Art

Contact Laura Berlinsky-Schine

laura.berlinsky-schine@neal-schuman.com

100 William Street, Suite 2004

New York, NY 10038

212-925-8650

www.neal-schuman.com

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Archana Venkatraman of Information World Review writes:

“Arm yourself with the ten volumes of The Tech Set that offer insights on current thinking and best practice for a wide range of library-related tech trends. And you will soon find that you are in possession of not just ten text books discussing technology in the library but also the Tech Set’s digital components, making it your contemporary friend and reliable guide for life…

“Info pros can sense Kroski’s careful compilation of hot topics and trending technologies by notable experts on timely topics – including Jason Griffey on mobile technologies, Cliff Landis on utilising social networking and Sarah Houghton-Jan on effective technology training and social networking…

For those curious about the best practices on using library technologies, The Tech Set is an excellent collection offering expert insight on everything ranging from library catalogs to integrating social networking tools in library services.”

Read the entire review.

Click here for more information about Ellyssa Kroski’s “The Tech Set.”

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New book and multimedia toolkit guide librarians through the grant-writing process with checklists, worksheets, and templates.

June 20 (New York, NY) — As library use escalates and library budgets decrease, more and more libraries actively seek grant-funding. For many librarians, applying for grants may seem like a daunting process. Winning Grants: A How-To-Do-It Manual for Librarians with Multimedia Tutorials and Grant Development Tools, to be published by Neal-Schuman Publishers on August 1, 2010, will give librarians all the tools they need to write successful grants and gain funding for their libraries.

Authors Pamela H. MacKellar and Stephanie K. Gerding are LIS professionals and experts on the grant-writing process. They have won millions of dollars in grants from a broad range of prestigious sources.  MacKellar and Gerding now offer a manual, workbook, and new DVD to guide librarians through the process of writing successful grants, and to expand on the knowledge shared in their successful book, Grants for Libraries.
In Part I, The Grant Process Cycle, the authors provide an overview of the grant-writing process, covering topics such as formulating a design, organizing the grant team, understanding and choosing the right sources, creating and submitting the proposal, and implementing the project. The authors summarize and reinforce their guidance with a list of “Top 10 Tips for Grant Success.”

Part II, Library Grant Success Stories, features real-life examples from fifteen libraries across the country. The stories range from an oral history project of women in government at Pennsylvania State University Libraries, to creating a graphic novel collection at Buffalo & Erie Public County Library in Buffalo, New York, to providing library storytimes to children and parents for whom English is not a first language at Boise Public Library in Boise, Idaho. In each example, the authors describe the project and answer a range of questions about the logistics of the grant.
Part III, The Winning Grants Multimedia Toolkit, includes a series of nineteen worksheets, templates and checklists to help librarians manage their strategies and timetables. An accompanying DVD provides an audio and visual walk-through of the grant-writing process with examples and ten instructional videos.

Winning Grants is an exhaustive, informative book-plus-multimedia toolkit that will appeal to anyone seeking guidance about grants and writing proposals. These tools will also prove useful to LIS professionals looking for ways to teach the grant-writing process to others in training and workshops.

Winning Grants: A How-To-Do-It Manual for Librarians with Multimedia Tutorials and Grant Development Tools

ISBN 978-1-55570-700-2.
2010. 8.5 x 11. 275 pp.

Book and Multimedia DVD: $99.95.

About the Authors

Pamela H. MacKellar is an author, teacher, and library consultant with more than 25 years of experience in libraries. She has conceived, planned, generated funding for, and implemented numerous new library programs. She is the author of several books, articles, and other literature on grant-writing.

Stephanie Rawlins Gerding is a nationally known library consultant, trainer, and author. She has written more than 20 published articles on grants, and has been on all sides of the grant process as grant writer, reviewer, and grant project coordinator at libraries, non-profits, foundations, and government organizations.

About Neal-Schuman Publishers

Neal-Schuman Publishers is a leading publisher of professional books for librarians, archivists and knowledge managers. Founded in 1976, Neal-Schuman Publishers is based in New York City, with offices in London, UK.

For More Information and/or Cover Art

Contact Laura Berlinsky-Schine

laura.berlinsky-schine@neal-schuman.com

100 William Street, Suite 2004
New York, NY 10038
212-925-8650
www.neal-schuman.com

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Practical book details the fundamentals of writing styles for academic librarians

June 20, 2010 (New York, NY) — Writing is an essential skill in almost any job, and mastering a particular of style of writing can be a tricky process. A Practical Writing Guide for Academic Librarians: Keeping it Short and Sweet to be released in North America by Neal-Schuman Publishers on August 1, 2010, will guide academic librarians through the process of delivering meticulous documents.

In this concise, informative guide Anne Langely and Jonathan D. Wallace break down the writing process for academic librarians into easy-to-follow components. In the two chapters following the introduction, Style: short and sweet and Audience, Langely and Wallace define general rules that writers in all professions should follow when crafting formal compositions. In the remaining seven chapters, the authors describe specific types of writing academic librarians may encounter in their work. For instance, chapter 4, Getting and keeping a job, details the fundamentals of job-related writing including references, cover letters, and resumes. In chapter 9, Scholarly work and teaching, the authors describe the elements of abstracts, case studies, syllabi, and handouts. Other topics include meetings and reports, managing, public services and collections, and online and presenting data. Numerous detailed examples from academic libraries and figures or charts guide the reader through the basics of each style. Additionally, each chapter includes a list outlining the specifics to keep in mind when writing in a particular style: audience, demographic or professional attributes, objective, idiosyncrasies, editors, and writing sources. In the final chapter, the authors offer suggestions for finding more writing resources.

A Practical Writing Guide for Academic Librarians: Keeping it short and sweet is a valuable tool for any academic librarian delving into the world of professional writing, or seasoned professionals looking for a quick and manageable refresher.

A Practical Writing Guide for Academic Librarians: Keeping it Short and Sweet

ISBN 978-1-84334-532-9.
2010. 6 x 9. 162 pp.  $99.95.

About the Authors

Anne Langely has worked in academic libraries since 1987 and has been a professional librarian since 1993. Having been employed in four academic libraries and the library of a large national research laboratory, she is currently Librarian and Adjunct Professor of Chemistry at Duke University.

Jonathan D. Wallace is an editor with 20 years of experience in both newspapers and academia. He is currently the Nation and World Editor at The News & Observer in Raleigh, North Carolina, and a Lecturer in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

About Neal-Schuman Publishers and Chandos Publishing

Founded in 1976, Neal-Schuman Publishers is based in New York City with offices in London, UK. Neal-Schuman is a leading publisher of professional and academic titles in all areas of library and information studies. Since June 2009, Neal-Schuman has also been the exclusive North American distributor for titles from the United Kingdom’s Chandos Publishing, a division of Woodhead Publishing Limited.  Chandos books are a leading, highly practical source of authoritative information for professionals and researchers worldwide.

For More Information and/or Cover Art

Contact Laura Berlinsky-Schine

laura.berlinsky-schine@neal-schuman.com

100 William Street, Suite 2004

New York, NY 10038

212-925-8650

www.neal-schuman.com

Comments Off