Despite the stodgy stereotypes, libraries and librarians themselves can be quite funny. The spectrum of library humor from sources inside and outside the profession ranges from the subtle wit of the New Yorker to the satire of Mad. This examination of American library humor over the past 200 years covers a wide range of topics and spans the continuum between light and dark, from parodies to portrayals of libraries and their staffs as objects of fear. It illuminates different types of librarians--the collector, the organization person, the keeper, the change agent--and explores stereotypes like the shushing little old lady with a bun, the male scholar-librarian, the library superhero, and the anti-stereotype of the sexy librarian. Profiles of the most prominent library humorists round out this lively study.

A Chronology of Librarianship, 1960-2000 continues the work of Josephine Smith in her original Chronology of Librarianship (Scarecrow, 1968). It updates and completes her work up to 2000, paying special attention to the progress made on technological and international fronts that have significantly altered the role and function of the librarian, especially the rise of the internet in the 1990s. The ramifications of this new level of global connectedness and of the new role of the librarian are of primary concern for author Jeffrey M. Wilhite. This book covers all areas of library literature that inform the history of librarianship and ranges over multiple continents. Its broad scope lends itself to wide use by scholars and students of library history and library literature. The chronology is presented in a dictionary format and separated into decades. It is complemented by a comprehensive bibliography and name index.

Foreword by Mitch Freedman, a reprinted Counterpoise interview and 45 of Sanford Berman's U*L columns dealing with book-burning, genocide, government secrecy and repression, cataloging, indexing, classism, self-censorship and free speech for library staff (et cetera!). Index by Chris Dodge.

In a library, circulation is the process of lending books to borrowers and accurately reshelving them after they have been returned so that they will be retrievable by the next user. This basic cycle has many elaborations and sub-cycles attached to it, such as those for overdues and holds, the record-keeping process, and the reserve book operation. These sub-cycles vary from library to library, but the basic cycle remains the same in every library that allows patrons to remove books. Connie Battaile provides a detailed volume written for those new to the circulation department of small academic libraries. The author presents not the definitive way to run a circulation department, but rather she provides a variety of possible methods. Because the circulation department is the main public contact point, many library housekeeping chores are assigned to it. Again, these additional responsibilities vary from library to library, but the author provides various procedures. The physical environment of the department and the stacks, the staff, effective communications, and scheduling are covered in full detail.

The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) is the leading international body representing the interests of library and information services and their users. It is the global voice of the information profession. The series IFLA Publications deals with many of the means through which libraries, information centres, and information professionals worldwide can formulate their goals, exert their influence as a group, protect their interests, and find solutions to global problems.

"Priscilla Shontz presents advice and anecdotes gathered from research and interviews with more than seventy information professionals in a variety of library-related careers. The modular format allows a reader to peruse any chapter on its own and to read the chapters in his or her preferred order. Seven broad topics are covered: career planning, job searching, gaining experience and education, developing interpersonal and leadership skills, networking, mentoring, and writing for publication. Related readings, as well as helpful Web sites, are included."--BOOK JACKET.