>From "James R. Kelly" <jrkelly_at_library.umass.edu>
Subject Collection Development question re computer science handbooks, manuals, and guides
As a librarian member of the American Historical Assn, I regularly read that
organization's monthly magazine Perspectives (since altered to Perspectives
on History). In doing so, I encountered a very interesting opinion piece in
the Dec. 2007 issue entitled "Save the Books!" by James W. Cortada
(http://www.historians.org/perspectives/issues/2007/0712/0712vie1.cfm). In
this essay, Cortada makes what I find to be an interesting and compelling
case for collection development concern and initiatives in the field of
computer, programming, and operating systems manuals and related
publications in their print versions. Of that field, other than what I know
as a user, I am mostly naïve, but I'm sure that there are many of you who
work in the field of collection development vis-à-vis computers and/or in
the history of science and technology who may be able to advise Mr. Cortada
on an approach to addressing the issues he raises.
I had hoped to play a more active role in this, but I came to realize that
it requires subject specialists in the field and university/research
libraries that collect comprehensively and intensively in these areas. Once
those of you who are interested in this topic have read the article, I am
sure that the author would be most keen to hear your thoughts on the matter.
He is not a member of this listserv, but I have included his e-mail address
above. Along with advice or counsel, he (and I) would like to know if you
have any thoughts on how to bring this question into the larger world of
associational discourse (e.g., at the ALA and AHA levels as well as such
groups as IEEE, etc.).
I am sorry to have been so long in bringing this up, but I suspect that the
challenge Cortada presents is as important in Dec. of 2008 as it was in Dec.
of 2007.
Thanks in advance for any and all responses!
Received on Tue Dec 30 2008 - 15:01:19 EST