Managing Electronic Reserves (review)

Abstract

Managing Electronic Reserves is a much-needed collection of essays on various aspects of electronic reserves. Jeff Rosedale, editor, is founder of the ACRL Electronic [End Page 488] Reserves Discussion Group and assistant library director at Manhattanville College. He also maintains the Electronic Reserves Clearinghouse website. Mr. Rosedale's observation that "Reserve services can be vexing to all parties connected with them" (p. vi) suggests both the opportunities to better serve the academic community as well as the difficulties that accompany electronic reserves. Library journal articles have discussed various aspects of electronic reserves, but this is the first monograph devoted to e-reserves and its ten experts do, indeed, cover the waterfront. For example, the first chapter by Lorre Smith is an extremely useful overview in question-and-answer form. Ms. Smith covers staffing, equipment, vendor choice, policies and procedures, and copyright issues with many "where to get more information" notes. She also briefly addresses marketing and promotional aspects of electronic reserves. Wayne Perryman's chapter also briefly addresses this subject and includes excellent appendices on Humboldt State University's electronic reserves system, as well as related FAQs, request forms, and guidelines.