Frequently Asked Questions for Library and Information Science

(For further resources on the various topics explored below, please refer to our Library & Information Science Internet Resources page.)

WHERE CAN I FIND REVIEWS:

FOR SPECIFIC BOOKS?

• Book Review Index (Midl. Ref., Z 1035 Z1 B6)
• Bookwire (www.bookwire.com) is an outstanding Internet site which has a searchable index of book reviews.
• Book Review Digest (Mid. Ref., Z 1219 C 96) indexes books by author, subject and title.

FOR CHILDREN'S AND YOUNG ADULTS' BOOKS PUBLISHED IN A CERTAIN YEAR?

• Children s Literature Review (ER Juvenile Ref., PN 1009 A1 C5139)
• Children's Book Review Index (ER Juvenile Ref., Z 1037 Al C475)
• Book Review Digest (Mid. Ref., Z 1219 C 96)

• Booklist (Z 1035 A49)
• Horn Book (Z 1037 Al A15)
• Bulletin of the Center for Children s Books (Z 1037 Al C4)
• Appraisal (Z 7401 A63)
• Science Books and Films (Q 181 Al A68)
• VOYA (Z 1037 A1 V16)

FOR ONLINE DATABASES, CD ROMS, WORLD WIDE WEB SITES AND OTHER ELECTRONIC SOURCES?

• Computers in Libraries
• Database
• Library Journal
• Online
• Reference & User Services Quarterly

FOR AUDIO-BOOKS, EDUCATIONAL SOFTWARE?

• Library Journal
• Booklist
• School Library Journal
• Kliatt

FOR POPULAR BOOKS?

• Library Journal
• Booklist
• The New York Times Book Review

FOR BOOKS APPROPRIATE TO COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES?

• Choice
• Reference & User Services Quarterly
• And other sources mentioned above

FOR REFERENCE BOOKS?

• Reference & User Services Quarterly

• RSR: Reference Services Review (Z 1035.1 R43)
• American Reference Books Annual (Mid. Ref. Lis. Sec. 1 Z 1035 .1 A55 1996)
• Guide to Reference Books (Mid. Ref. Desk, Z 1035 .1 S43)
• Walford's Guide to Reference Material (Mid. Ref. Desk, Z 1035 W252)

HOW CAN I FIND CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOKS DEALING WITH A CERTAIN SUBJECT OR CONCEPT?

• Lima and Lima. A to Zoo: Subject Access to Children's Picture Books (ER Juvenile Ref Z 1037 L715)
• A Guide to Subjects and Concepts in Picture Book Format (ER Juvenile Ref, Z 1037 Y65)
• Thomas, James L. Play, Learn and Grow. (ER Juvenile Ref Z 1037 T46 1992)
• Ask the employee at the ER Circulation Desk for a copy of the user aid,
  "Commonly Asked Questions About Children and Young Adults' Literature"

WHERE CAN I FIND SOURCES FOR FREE OR INEXPENSIVE LIBRARY MATERIALS?

• Bottom Line- Personal. New York, NY: Bottom Line Information, 1979-.
• Langston, Diane Jones. Free Magazines for Libraries. 4th edition. Jefferson, NC: McFarland, 1994
• Smallwood, Carol. Current Issues Resource Builder : Free and inexpensive materials for Librarians or Teachers. Jefferson, NC: McFarland, 1989.
• Smallwood, Carol. Exceptional Free Library Resource Materials. Littleton,CO: Libraries Unlimited, 1984.
• Smallwood, Carol. Free Resource Builder for Librarians and Teachers.Jefferson, NC: McFarland, 1986.
• Spencer, Michael. Free publications from U.S. Government Agencies. Englewood, CO: Libraries Unlimited, 1989.
• Vertical File Index: A guide to pamphlets and references to current topics. Bronx, NY: H.W. Wilson, 1955-.
• You can also look in local and national newspapers for clippings which may be useful in vertical files. Popular magazines are another option for free or inexpensive resources for all subject area.

IS THERE A RESOURCE THAT COVERS LIBRARY FACTS AND INFORMATION?

• The Whole Library Handbook and The Whole Library Handbook 2 (Z 665.2 U6 E24, in stacks; and Z 665.2 U6 E23, Mid. Ref. LIS, Sect. 1) cover current data, professional advice and curiosities about libraries--a source for unusual information.
• The Bowker Annual (Mid. Ref. Index Table 14, Z731 A47 1996) gives information about the various library organizations, salaries and placement, statistics, and library education.

WHERE CAN I FIND INFORMATION ABOUT FOUNDATIONS AND ORGANIZATIONS WHO HAVE GRANT MONEYS FOR LIBRARIES?

• The Big Book of Library Grant Money (Mid. Ref. Index Table 3, Z 683.2 U6 B54) is a directory of foundations who have money for libraries. It has several indices including geographic, organizational, and others to help you in your search.

WHERE CAN I FIND INFORMATION ABOUT THE ALA'S VARIOUS COMMITTEES AND MEMBERS?

• The ALA Handbook of Organization and Membership Directory (Mid. Ref. Index Table 14, Z673 A5 H 37), contains all pertinent information concerning the American Library Association.

WHERE CAN I FIND THE MEANING FOR IFLA, RUSD, ASIS AND ALL THESE OTHER LIBRARY ACRONYMS?

• New International Dictionary of Acronyms in Library & Information Science and Related Fields (Z1006 S344)
• Acronyms & Abbreviations in Library & Information Work (Z 1006 M55 Reference) and Harrod's Librarians' Glossary and Ref. LIS, Section 1

WHERE CAN I FIND JOB ADS FOR LIBRARY POSITIONS?

• The small table in the SLIS Office area holds numerous notebooks which contain job notices for a variety of libraries including public, academic, special and others.
• Job ads can also be found in the Career Opportunities link of the School of Library and Information Science Homepage (http://slis.lsu.edu/).
• Listservs are another good source of job notices. A list of listservs and directions for subscription may be found in "Job Opportunities Glitter for Librarians Who Surf the Net". American Libraries, 27, 8 (September 1996,) 66- 69.

WHERE CAN I FIND THE AVERAGE PRICES OF MATERIALS FOR THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF LIBRARIES?

• The Bowker Annual (Mid. Ref. Index Table 14, Z 731 A 47) publishes a list of price indexes for Public, College and School Libraries. This should help you.

WHERE CAN I FIND INFORMATION ABOUT A SPECIFIC LIBRARY?

• The American Library Directory (Z731 A53), a two volume set located behind the Reference Desk in Middleton Library, provides information on Academic, Governmental, Public and Special Libraries. Arranged geographically, the information includes the location, circulation, holdings, automation, collections and other information on approximately 38,000 libraries.

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