Written by three UK librarians who have also worked as researchers, Providing Effective Library Services for Research attempts to answer the question of how libraries add value to the research process, especially in view of competing online information now readily available without libraries. The book presents a thoughtful, useful discourse on this topic, including worthwhile strategies for enhancing and preserving the value of all types of libraries, not just those serving researchers. Like many current writings, this book addresses library survival issues, however, with the unique perspective of service to the research community. As the authors suggest, libraries are no longer the primary resource that researchers consult, and most libraries do not even formulate or maintain special policies articulating means of support for researchers. The authors have gathered material for the book by examining past literature and interviewing researchers at all stages of their careers, thereby learning about their particular stressors and information-seeking practices. Organized into three parts, the book's first section describes what it means to be a researcher and how researchers' interact with library services. The second part reviews the services and resources recommended to support research, including advice on collection management strategies. The last section is more reflective and covers the role of the library in addressing present and future challenges, with the final chapter summarizing key points. The section on researchers, which includes some interesting investigator case studies, describes researchers' employment context and relationship with libraries. This content is based on UK realities, although it definitely has broader applicability. UK research structure may differ from that of the United States, but, in both countries, selectivity policies for research create continuing pressure on researchers to acquire a reputation in their field through publication and other presentation forms. This section demonstrates how this burden leads to the need for a culture of research support, involving extensive, highly integrated library services to make researchers feel more valued and motivated. The book next addresses what libraries can do to effectively support researchers' scholarly activity. As in the United States, major drivers of UK library collections are the lack of budgetary and space resources to support collections, the need to exploit and promote what libraries do have, and the potential for technology and collaboration to address the first two items. This section provides good advice about collection development and emphasizes, as do other current sources like Beyond Survival: Managing Academic Libraries in Transition [1], the importance of continuing consultation with users to identify information needs and preferences. The authors rightfully contend that a “close partnership with key stakeholder groups is essential” (p. 80), and they provide a useful list of questions to ask in determining user needs. It is no surprise that “Most studies of researcher priorities confirm that journals are the key information resource” (p. 77), although the authors advise that “we must be careful not to overlook the importance of books” (p. 76). This section provides useful ideas on how to address the two main collection challenges: “staying relevant in the digital age; and maintaining access to scholarly knowledge when we cannot afford to buy and store everything” (p. 87). When reviewing specific resources, the book gives excellent tips for enhancing service value. Underlying all of this is the idea that it is not possible to “provide a ‘one size fits all’ library and expect it to be successful: effective services rest on knowledge and empathy” (p. 91). The authors also correctly warn that once resources are provided, they might not be used and therefore must be promoted. Valuable marketing ideas are described, although for even more detailed information in this area, check Toolkit for Academic and Research Libraries (@ Your Library: The Campaign for America's Libraries) [2]. Providing Effective Services for Research does a good job outlining current and future library roles, as well as explaining the problems and opportunities created by changes in scholarly communication. In the final sections of the book, the authors discuss future challenges and describe what they see as the ten key principles for providing effective library support to researchers. These final points nicely sum up this volume of material, which is well worth consulting if your library serves researchers of any kind. Although US readers may find the use of UK acronyms and examples a bit confusing, the content overall is a useful addition to the modern librarian's arsenal of tools for providing optimal service and staying relevant to research patrons.