Foundations of Library and Information Science

The fourth edition of Foundations of Library and Information Science, Richard E. Rubin’s classic text, has been updated with new information related to the major facets of library and information science, and the many changes that have taken place in the profession. These include technological aspects (e.g., social networking, the impact of digital devices, digital publishing, and e-books in libraries), evolutions in library services (e.g., embedded librarianship and digital preservation), new efforts in information organization (e.g., BIBFRAME and RDF), developments in information policy and legal issues (e.g., the digital divide, network neutrality, copyright, and mass digitization), the continuing tension between library science and information science, and efforts by libraries to collaborate with other information organizations like archives and museums. The ten chapters provide extensive coverage of the field of library and information science. The first three offer background and history related to the mission of libraries and what they are, both institutionally and organizationally. Chapter 4 discusses the impact of technology on the transformation of libraries, along with many of the different services and products related to digital content. Chapter 5 examines the evolution of the library and information professions, including current issues related to gender, recruitment, the job market, and minority representation. Chapter 6 deals with the organization of knowledge, and historical and current challenges related to the library catalog, classification systems, databases, and metadata. Chapter 7 focuses on the information science aspect of the discipline. Chapters 8–10 discuss policy and philosophical issues such as stakeholders and political agendas, intellectual freedom, and values and ethics. Four appendices provide information on major LIS associations, ALA-accredited programs, standards for accreditation, and the IFLA/UNESCO Public Library Manifesto of 1994. There are numerous charts, tables, and figures throughout the book, along with extensive bibliographical references at the end of every chapter. I highly recommend this book, and the fact that it continues to be updated and revised on a regular basis indicates that it is highly respected and consulted within our profession.