Library Review

Caroline Shaw

2001 Library Review

doi: 10.1108/00242530110394475

The Charles Booth Online Archive from the library of the London School of Economics gives free access to materials from Booth's survey into life and labour in London 1886-1903. The content of the archive is described and the funding arrangements for the project outlined. Cataloguing and text digitisation arrangements are discussed and the method digitising the 12 maps from the survey explained. Details are presented of how the Web-site was created.

Richard M. Atuti

2001 Library Review

doi: 10.1108/00242530110394484

Adapted library buildings hinder rather than aid the optimum organisation and use of the library and information services, a situation which often puts librarians in difficulties by their reacting to problems, rather than anticipating them. A survey of some ten community libraries of the Kenya National Library Service (KNLS) was carried out in September 2000, the findings of which revealed to the contrary that most buildings had fulfilled their changed function and are effective functional libraries that provide "customers" with a choice of best value. In the survey, overall characteristics of the buildings are reflected in terms of type, size, method and calculations. Factors affecting use were examined using interview and observation methods.

A.N. Uhegbu

2001 Library Review

doi: 10.1108/00242530110394493

Discusses the impediments to rural information services for community development in Nigeria. Highlights the nature and characteristics of a community as well as community information needs and services. Four components of community information were identified. They are information itself, the sender, the medium or channel of communication and the final consumer. Poor perception and deep-seateded scepticism of the ruralities towards information, the deplorable state of rural roads, nonchalance of government officials, rivalry among the inhabitants of the communities were the major obstacles to community information service. Recommends, amongst other things, that traditional institutions and town development associations be effectively utilised to disseminate information to the people.

B.T. Fidzani; O.S. Oladokun

2001 Library Review

doi: 10.1108/00242530110394501

A study was undertaken to assess the state of libraries in Institutes of Health Sciences in Botswana. The objectives of the study were to assess the state of the collections and services and examine how well or otherwise the libraries provide good educational complements to classroom-based student learning and to lecturers' research. Based on the eight areas used to determine standards in college libraries, the study revealed that college library standards were not met in Institute of Health Science libraries. It was recommended that the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health and the University of Botswana, to which the Institutes of Health Sciences are affiliated, should work together to facilitate improvement on library collection, library services, staffing, and library facilities.

Mike Heery

2001 Library Review

doi: 10.1108/00242530110394510

This article updates a more substantial article published in Library Review in 1999. The earlier article describes an LIS school based in the University of Bristol. The school runs an MSc in Information and Library Management which is unique in the UK as it is taught by practising LIS professionals. The present article reports on recent quality assessment of the MSc by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education. This quality assessment awarded the course the highest possible marks and the article explains why the course received such a strong endorsement.

Eric Glasgow

2001 Library Review

doi: 10.1108/00242530110394529

Describes the early career of Anthony Panizzi in Great Britain, and considers his relationship with W.E. Gladstone. Panizzi's move to the British Museum Library and his subsequent career there are described, and his often stormy relationship with colleagues noted. Panizzi's achievements in establishing and developing the British Museum as London's national library are discussed and the circumstances of his retirement and succession are considered.