Dec
Sometime this winter Federated Search: Solution or Setback for Online Library Services, published by Haworth Press, will be released. The book is a collection of articles geared to helping those planning to implement federated search solutions in their libraries to understand what works best.
The book’s editor, Christopher N. Cox, is Assistant Director of Libraries, McIntyre Library, University of Wisconsin, Eau Clair. Cox is responsible for development of his library’s strategic plan, his work has been published in several library journals, and he has spoken at numerous conferences regarding federated search and its impact on information literacy and its instruction.
This paragraph from the publisher’s website describes the book:
“Federated Search: Solution or Setback for Online Library Services is a comprehensive guide to choosing, implementing, testing, teaching, and marketing federated search products in libraries. Experts in the field and librarians across the United States provide firsthand information on using federated search engines in different types of libraries (small, academic, and consortia), integrating search engines into library Web sites, homegrown upgrades, bidding on a product, other uses for software, and the future of federated searching.”
The book’s subtitle “Solution or Setback for Online Library Services” does set an ominous tone for the book. The description goes on to say:
“The book also includes information of what happened once federated search was implemented on various campuses, such as usability studies, teaching issues, getting buy-on from librarians, and marketing to students.”
Like it or not, I think the horror stories are as important to hear as the “federated search is the best thing since sliced bread” discussions.
The book’s contents lists 22 chapters (essays) plus an index and reference notes. It’d be great if readers of the book would volunteer to review the different chapters. When I’m able to get a copy I’ll do an overall review. Plus, I’ll see if I can get an interview with Mr. Cox.
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