Librarians and non-specialists who need to access public information will find everything they need in Finding Official British Information: Official Publishing in the Digital Age. Author Jane Inman helps people navigate the many sources and types of materials now available in this age of information.

From the press release:

Jane Inman, Communications and Information Manager for the Environment and Economy Directorate, Warwickshire County Council (U.K.), uses her extensive experience working with official publishing to create an easy-to-use guide for non-specialists focusing on the digital access and availability of public information. The book includes contributions from Howard Picton. Inman covers every body of British government, from local to national. She includes definitions and statistics and explains why access to official information is so important. In each section, Inman offers thorough examples, types of publications, and resources for further information. Every area she describes includes a “how to find” section for quick reference.

Click here to find out more about this and other titles in Neal-Schuman’s press release database.

Check out the brand-new Medical Library Association’s Guide to Managing Health Care Libraries, Second Edition, an extensively revised edition of the book Library Journal called “the gold standard in its field.” This book brings that invaluable content up to date, tackling important changes in technology and the increasing financial pressures that have affected both the health care and library industries. A companion CD-ROM offers numerous management documents, forms, and live Web links.

And don’t forget to pre-order your copy of The Medical Library Association’s Master Guide to Authoritative Information Resources in the Health Sciences, available this April. Encompassing 35 specialties, plus additional sub-specialties, providing over 1,600 authoritative recommendations, covering both the monographic and serial literature–print, digital, and online formats–this unique guide is an indispensable tool for librarians who must differentiate among the many choices of medical resources.

Other new releases and timeless classics from the MLA include:

The Medical Library Association Guide to Finding Out About Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Health Informatics for Medical Librarians

The Medical Library Association’s Essential Guide to Becoming an Expert Searcher

Answering Consumer Health Questions

Introduction to Reference Sources in the Health Sciences

Answers to Health Questions People Ask in Libraries

The Medical Library Association’s Guide to Health Literacy at the Library

…and many more!

If you wish to keep your library’s collection current on future MLA titles, place a standing order and benefit immediately by saving 20% on your whole order! Just click on the link and follow the instructions.

Dawn Bassett, Brooke Ballantyne Scott, and Jenny Fry –three librarians who have managed revitalization projects in special libraries–guide readers through every step of the renovation process. In chapter 1, Prepare, they discuss assessment of strengths, surroundings, and the needs of users. Chapter 2, Build a Great Team Project, advises readers on collaborating with other departments, dealing with different personalities on the team, consulting within the team, creating knowledge management benchmarks, and other important aspects of creating a solid team. Chapter 3, Plan Your Project, covers project management techniques, risk identification and management, budgeting, defining the scope of the project, assessing goals and objectives, identifying existing expertise, and cost savings. In chapter 4, Develop a Layout, the authors delve into the specifics of renovating the library, such as furnishing, redesigning staff and user workspaces, and shelving. Chapter 5, Interior Design Basics, introduces design elements like color, lighting, and flooring. In chapter 6, Revitalizing Your Digital Environment, the authors discuss the basics of developing and recreating the library’s digital presence, with components like the Web, Intranet, and Library Management System (LMS). Chapter 7, Project Completion and Final Thoughts, suggests ideas for celebrating and solidifying the new environment. Each chapter includes notes and suggestions for further reading.

Timely and practical, Facelifts for Special Libraries: A Practical Guide to Revitalizing Diverse Physical and Digital Spaces will help managers of special libraries, resource centers, and information centers remain a vital presence in their communities.

Facelifts for Special Libraries: A Practical Guide to Revitalizing Diverse Physical and Digital Spaces

Chandos Publishing

ISBN 978-1-84334-591-6.
2010. 6 x 9. 161 pp.  $99.95

About the Authors

Dawn Bassett is Coordinator of Library Services for the Canadian Grain Commission, where she is currently working on two revitalization projects. She was previously the Manager of Library and Information Services for the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Brooke Ballantyne Scott is the librarian for Royal Columbian Hospital (RCH) in New Westminster, British Columbia. She previously served as the clinical librarian for Riverview Hospital and the Forensic Psychiatric services Commission in Coquitlam, British Columbia.

Jenny Fry is an Information Services Librarian at the Surrey Public Library in Surrey, British Columbia. She has worked in a variety of non-profit, corporate, and public libraries, including five years as the solo librarian for the BC Institute Against Family Violence.

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

Andrew Walsh and Padma Inala, librarians with extensive experience in planning and delivering lessons, use active learning examples to help readers deliver lesson plans that will hold students’ interest. In Chapter 1, What is Active Learning?, they explain the theory and practice of active learning, pointing out its benefits and advantages, and discuss the importance of active learning within the library setting. Chapter 2, Active Learning Tips, includes practical activities and tips for teaching techniques. The chapter is divided into five sections: Starting and Finishing the Session; In the Middle, which offers general tips that can be used at anytime; Mobile Phones and Other Gadgets; Web 2.0 Technologies; and Inductions. For each tip, the authors list the uses, materials required, how to use the tip, variations, and pitfalls. Chapter 3, Lesson Plans, offers sample plans demonstrating how the tips can be used in a complete lesson. Every sample includes techniques explained in the book, target and maximum class size, expected outcomes, time required, handouts required, equipment required, and an outline of the session with suggested timings.

Active Learning Techniques for Librarians: Practical Examples offers step-by-step guidance for teaching and engaging learners at the library. It will appeal to any librarian, new or experienced, who instructs users.

Active Learning Techniques for Librarians: Practical Examples

Chandos Publishing

ISBN 978-1-84334-592-3.
2010. 6 x 9. 146 pp.  $99.95

About the Authors

Andrew Walsh is an Academic Librarian at the University of Huddersfield in West Yorkshire, UK. He speaks on a variety of subjects including information literacy and active learning, and has written numerous journal articles.

Padma Inala is Senior Assistant Librarian at Manchester Metropolitan University in Manchester, UK. She is currently a subject librarian for the Institute of Education.

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

New book and CD ROM will help both school and public librarians foster lifelong readers

August 25, 2010 (New York, NY) — Finding the best books for teen readers goes far beyond simply plucking the latest installment in a fantasy series or a graphic novel from the shelf. Today’s librarian must be ready to help both the voracious reader who has devoured every Twilight installment to a book hater who prefers action movies and video games and wants help making a selection for her next book report. Luckily, Annotated Book Lists for Every Teen Reader: The Best from the Experts at YALSA-BK, to be copublished by the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) and Neal-Schuman Publishers on October 10, 2010, will give librarians informative insights and  authoritative  recommendations on how to satisfy even the most finicky young adult reader.

Julie Bartel and Pam Spencer Holley carefully selected more than 1,100 titles — the best of the best — from the YALSA-BK electronic discussion list.  They have painstakingly , organized the titles into 57  categories with complete cross-referencing between categories.

The book is divided into two parts. Part I, “The Lists,” divides these titles into three chapters arranged by category. Chapter 1, “The Right Title for the Right Reader,” is organized by the type of reader a librarian might encounter, with suggestions for adults, avid readers, picky senior girls, reluctant males readers, urban teens, and many other types of readers. Chapter 2, “Presentation Counts: Recommended Titles by Format,” covers a range of formats available, including blogs, emails, and IMs in fiction, audio books, diary and epistolary novels, plays, fictionalized biographies, and more. Chapter 3, “Places and Ideas: Recommended Books by Theme and Setting,” offers books covering specific topics, like novels that take place in bathrooms, summer camp, or the Middle East, and themes, such as chocolate, consequences and fate, teen immigrants, and love.

Part II, “The Annotations,” contains more than 1,100 alphabetically arranged annotations specifically written to be useful for librarians as they make decisions about whether they want to add the title to their collection or recommend it to a particular teen reader.  An accompanying CD-ROM combines the annotations and bibliographic information into the categorized lists, allowing easy creation of booklists, bookmarks, bibliographies for teachers and parents, and collection development lists.

Annotated Book Lists for Every Teen Reader: The Best from the Experts at YALSA-BK is an essential guide for anyone looking to advise teenagers on the best literature to fit every need and personality, and is sure to become a fixture on every youth librarian’s bookshelf.

Annotated Book Lists for Every Teen Reader: The Best from the Experts at YALSA-BK

ISBN: 978-1-55570-658-6
6 x 9 | 280 pp. | Book and CD-ROM: $65.00

About the Authors

Julie Bartel is the Library Director at Judge Memorial Catholic High School in Salt Lake City, Utah. She has served on several YALSA committees, and has written numerous journal articles, as well as a book for librarians on zines and public libraries.

Pam Spencer Holley is a past president of YALSA. She has co-authored and edited several titles for young adult librarians. She has extensive experience as a youth librarian, and is currently the chair of the Board of Trustees of Eastern Shore Public Library in Virginia.

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.

About the Young Adult Library Service Association (YALSA)

YALSA is  a division of the American Library Association and has  more than 5,400 members. YALSA’s mission is to advocate, promote, and strengthen service to young adults as part of the continuum of total library service, and to support those who provide service to this population.

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

Information science experts Teresa S. Welsh and Melissa S. Wright use evidence to explain the principles behind seven specific literacies in this detailed examination of information literacy in the current age of technology. The book opens with an overview of information literacy, noting its importance and relevance in the modern world. The following eleven chapters delve into relevant literacies, including cultural, library, ethical, network (database, the Internet, and the World Wide Web, media and visual, government, and financial. The authors also include a chapter with advice on writing a research paper, and conclude with tips for evaluating information. Each chapter defines and overviews the concept, describes its evolution, and offers exercises, additional information, and notes. Figures and tables and sprinkled liberally throughout the book for added reinforcement.

Information Literacy in the Digital Age: An Evidence-Based Approach will provide librarians and information professionals with a thorough background and understanding of crucial information literacy concepts they need to teach all learners.

Information Literacy in the Digital Age: An Evidence-Based Approach

Chandos

ISBN 978-1-84334-515-2.
2010. 6 x 9. 218 pp.  $95.00

About the Authors

Teresa S. Welsh is an Associate Professor at the University of Southern Mississippi School of Library and Information Science.

Melissa S. Wright is an instructional services librarian at Rowland Medical Library at the University of Mississippi and doctoral candidate in adult education at the University of Southern Mississippi.

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

Robyn Benson and Charlotte Brack have used their extensive knowledge of educational design and e-learning to create a practical guide to help readers construct their own online teaching curricula. Chapter 1 addresses how students learn and what constitutes good teaching, enabling readers to use this research in setting their teaching objectives. Chapter 2 introduces the technology options that are available to educators and how they will help readers implement online learning development. In chapter 3, the authors discuss how to achieve teaching objectives, through activities, resources, support, and feedback. This chapter also addresses issues that may emerge in online teaching. Chapter 4 covers the opportunities and challenges in assessment. Chapter 5 explores the concepts behind evaluation and how to integrate it into a teaching design. The authors offer tips on implementing evaluation in the online environment, a review of the various methods involved, and recommendations on determining the best evaluation for a particular teaching design. Chapter 6 summarizes the lessons and advises readers on how to accommodate new technologies into a thriving academic atmosphere. The book includes numerous examples, figures, and tables, as well as a planning guide.

Online Learning and Assessment in Higher Education: A Planning Guide is an essential book for educators, technology professionals, and anyone interested in successful approaches to online learning.

Online Learning and Assessment in Higher Education: A Planning Guide

Chandos Publishing

ISBN 978-1-84334-577-0.
2010. 6 x 9. 204 pp.  $99.95

About the Authors

Robyn Benson is a Senior Lecturer in Educational Design and e-Learning at Monash University, Australia. She has worked in educational design, development, and research for more than twenty years.

Charlotte Brack is a Senior Lecturer in Educational Design and e-Learning at Monash University. She has worked on innovations in learning and teaching across many disciplines at Monash.

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

Do e-journals foster or inhibit scholarship?

August 15, 2010 (New York, NY) — From Gutenberg’s invention of movable type, to Charles Babbage’s conceptualization of the computer, on now to the modern age of Google, scholarly communication has gone through numerous incarnations throughout history. One fact remains clear: knowledge must be shared. The rising cost of journals can limit their availability and motivate librarians and information professionals to turn to Open Access journals. Of course, there are downsides to e-sharing, including the chaos that comes with allowing anyone to publish information. Scholarly Communication in Library and Information Services: The Impacts of Open Access Journals and E-Journals on a Changing Scenario, to be released in North America by Neal-Schuman Publishers on September 30, 2010, examines the effects of these formats on scholarly communication in the digital age.

Bhaskar Mukherjee, an LIS expert, analyzes Open Access journals using quantitative and qualitative methodologies. In chapter 1, he introduces the concept of scholarly communication, and describes the issues associated with e-journals and Open Access journals. Chapter 2 provides information about specific Open Access Journals in LIS, paying particular attention to selected journals. Chapter 3 outlines the qualitative and quantitative techniques used to measure the impacts of these journals. In chapter 4, Mukherjee uses a newly developed set of qualitative criteria to measure Open Access journals against other journals, and in chapter 5 he presents a quantitative analysis. Chapter 6 studies web citations and impact factors. In chapter 7, the author discusses creating hyperlinks and their relevance to his study. Mukherjee concludes his book with a summary and conclusion of his findings and recommendations for further research. The book includes a bibliography and appendices, with numerous figures and tables throughout.

Scholarly Communication in Library and Information Services: The Impacts of Open Access Journals and E-Journals on a Changing Scenario presents a detailed analysis of the current landscape of scholarly communication and is an essential tool for any LIS professional looking to access these resources or advise patrons on finding the best sources of information.

Scholarly Communication in Library and Information Services: The Impacts of Open Access Journals and E-Journals on Changing Scenario

Chandos Publishing

ISBN 978-1-84334-626-5.
2010. 6 x 9. 297 pp.  $110.00

About the Author

Bhaskar Mukherjee is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Library and Information Science at Banaras Hindu University in India.

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

Over 80 color photographs help librarians envision and recreate the programs.

August 1, 2010 (New York, NY) — Children have a job that we can all envy: playing. Preschoolers get to imagine themselves in any situation or profession. From a jungle safari to an outer space adventure, children’s imaginations can take them anywhere and everywhere. Let’s Pretend: 50 Start-to-Finish Preschool Programs for the Busy Librarian That Foster Imagination, to be published by Neal-Schuman Publishers on September 15, 2010, will help adults cultivate curiosity, creativity, and literacy development in young children through a variety of make-believe scenarios.

Rebecca C. Bane, creator of the Let’s Pretend program, includes 50 dramatic play programs—creative storytimes that allow children to interact and use their imaginations—in this innovative guide. Each program consists of an introduction that provides context and setting, a list of materials needed, including props and instructions for making them, books, and music, a step-by-step program example to walk readers through the project, and additional activities and props. A “final- thoughts” section in every chapter describes the skills and concepts children will learn through each dramatic play program. Programs cover such themes “Winter Wonderland,” “Pirates,” “At the Animal Hospital,” “In the Mountains,” “A Mystery,” and many more. Over 80 color photographs help readers envision and recreate the programs. Bane also offers advice on using these templates to create other programs and engage in open-ended play.

Let’s Pretend: 50 Start-to-Finish Preschool Programs for the Busy Librarian That Foster Imagination is the perfect guide for any librarian looking to offer creative, budget-friendly programs for young children. It will also appeal to teachers, caregivers, and daycare personnel.

Let’s Pretend: 50 Start-to-Finish Preschool Programs for the Busy Librarian That Foster Imagination

ISBN 978-1-55570-728-6.
2010. 6 x 9. 168 pp. $55.00

About the Author

Rebecca C. Bane is a former staff member of the Youth Services Department at the Greenville County Library System in Greenville, SC, where she started the dramatic play literacy program, “Let’s Pretend.”

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, Cover Art and/or Sample Photographs

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