LITA Guide Series

The LITA Guide series contains current, practical, how-to information in an easy-to-ready format.

LITA members receive a 20% discount on titles by using the promotion code RLLITA20 when ordering from the Rowman and Littlefield LITA Guide Series website.

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Current LITA Guide Series titles:


Tech for All: Moving beyond the Digital Divide
Edited by Lauren Comito (February 2019)

* Starred reviewBooklist Online, April 22, 2019
"Even if your shelves are already stuffed with professional development titles, you should find space for this one. It's not another shopping list for your first makerspace or the same summary of computer basics you've already seen. Instead, Tech for All provides innovative ideas on topics like IT-centered training for library staff and methods to measure patron interest in potential tech offerings. It also includes sound advice on grant-seeking to fund it all. Clearly-written and exceptionally practical, the book also separates itself from the pack by addressing a variety of communities and demographics. The ideas here can be applied at libraries of all kinds, not just major metropolitan systems, and it doesn't neglect populations who are often overlooked when we talk about the digital divide. As solid a book on this topic as you're likely to find."

Tech for All: Moving beyond the Digital Divide examines how the unequal distribution of resources between communities can limit access to emerging technologies. Chapters from librarians across the country give real world examples of libraries going the extra mile to bring more than just email access to their communities, regardless of economic status or geographic distribution. You’ll find practical plans put forward by working professionals who have sought pragmatic solutions to issues of digital literacy. Access is a through line in this work as people look at the larger ideas of access as inclusive of training, diverse technologies, and the time and space to make genuine growth in tech literacy.


New Top Technologies Every Librarian Needs to Know: A LITA Guide
Edited by Kenneth J. Varnum (2019)

The time is right for this all-new survey of the library technology that’s already transitioning from trend to everyday reality. As in the previous best-selling volume, Varnum and his contributors throw the spotlight on the systems, software, and approaches most crucial to the knowledge institutions of tomorrow. Sure to spark discussions about library innovation, this collection is a must have for staff interested in technology or involved with strategic planning. Read an interview with the editor now! LITA members received a 20% discount on this ALA Neal-Schuman publication at the ALA Store.


Marketing with Social Media: A LITA Guide, Second Edition
Edited by Beth C. Thomsett-Scott (2019)

This all-new edition gathers a range of contributors to explore real-world uses of library marketing technology, perfect for novices ready to dive in as well as practitioners on the lookout for ways to improve existing efforts. Inside, librarians share insights on how they use their favorite social media tools to promote their library and build community. With the valuable information contained in this guide, libraries can reach their users and create connections that resonate with them. LITA members received a 20% discount on this ALA Neal-Schuman publication at the ALA Store.


Library Technology Planning for Today and Tomorrow: A LITA Guide
Diana Silveira (2018)

Library Technology Planning for Today and Tomorrow is a step-by-step guide that takes the reader through the process of successfully creating and implementing a library technology plan. Each chapter addresses an aspect of planning and implementation—from conducting a technology audit and selecting appropriate devices to deploying new technologies and training staff and users. Further, this LITA guide will help librarians evaluate the success of their work in developing and implementing their technology plans.


The LITA Guide to No- or Low-Cost Technology Tools for Libraries
Breanne A. Kirsch (2018)

* Recommended by Choice, June 2019
"Each short chapter features recommended tools for activities such as multimedia content creation, assessment, and marketing of library collections and services. Every tool is given a detailed assessment for a variety of practical library scenarios, and compared to another similar tool for the same task. Kirsch includes screenshots, real-world examples of each tool’s deployment in libraries, and brief notes on additional tools for the same purpose."

The LITA Guide to No- or Low-Cost Technology Tools for Libraries provides a practical guide on how to find and use technology tools for a variety of purposes in libraries and, more broadly, in education. Each topic showcases two technology tools in detail and discusses additional tools and provides examples of how librarians or educators are using them in libraries and schools.


Big Data Shocks - An Introduction to Big Data for Librarians and Information Professionals
Andrew Weiss (2018)

"Big data," as it has become known in business and information technology circles, has the potential to improve our knowledge about human behavior, and to help us gain insight into the ways in which we organize ourselves, our cultures, and our external and internal lives. Libraries stand at the center of the information world, both facilitating and contributing to this flood as well as helping to shape and channel it to specific purposes. But all technologies come with a price. Where the tool can serve a purpose, it can also change the user's behavior to fit the purposes of the tool. Big Data Shocks: An Introduction to Big Data for Librarians and Information Professionals examines the roots of big data, the current climate and rising stars in this world. The book explores the issues raised by big data and discusses theoretical as well as practical approaches to managing information whose scope exists beyond the human scale.


The Savvy Academic Librarian's Guide to Technology Innovation
Cinthya Ippoliti (2018)

The Savvy Academic Librarian’s Guide to Technological Innovation provides detailed plans for purposefully integrating technology into the fabric of the academic environment by utilizing examples from a variety of institutions to illustrate successful methods and best practices. Included case studies and further readings emphasize everything needed to create, grow, and sustain a holistic plan for integrating technology within the academic library setting.


Augmented and Virtual Reality in Libraries
Edited by Jolanda-Pieta van Arnhem, Christine Elliott, and Marie Rose (2018)

Augmented and Virtual Reality in Libraries is written for librarians, by librarians: understanding that diverse communities use libraries, museums, and archives for a variety of different reasons. Many current books on this topic have a very technological focus on augmentation and are aimed towards computer programmers with advanced technology skills. This book makes augmented reality, virtual reality, and mixed reality applications much more accessible to professionals without extensive technology backgrounds.


Digital Curation Projects Made Easy - A Step-by-Step Guide for Libraries, Archives, and Museums
Carmen Cowick (2018)

Digital Preservation Made Easy: A Simple Step-By-Step Guide for Libraries, Archives, and Museumsoutlines simple steps for accomplishing practical digital preservation projects for those with little experience, time, or resources. Following a general introduction, step-by-step guides for completing these commonplace digital preservation projects are covered.


Using Social Media to Build Library Communities
Edited by Scott W.H. Young and Doralyn Rossman (2017)

Using Social Media to Build Communities: A LITA Guide is a community building action manual for practitioners across the profession. By bringing together an array of perspectives to explore community building through social media, Using Social Media to Build Communities can serve as the go-to resource for professionals who want to take social media beyond marketing and promotion to build an inclusive and engaged community of library users.


Managing Library Technology
Carson Block (2017)

This commonsense guide will help library managers understand the underpinnings of technology and how to powerfully manage tech to serve patrons and staff alike. Learn how libraries fit into the overall technology market and strategies to future-proof library technology efforts.


LITA Leadership Guide book cover

The LITA Leadership Guide: The Librarian as Entrepreneur, Leader, and Technologist
Edited by Carl Antonucci and Sharon Clapp (2017)

The LITA Leadership Guide from the American Library Association division charged with information technology brings together three important professional development topics -- leadership, entrepreneurship, and technology -- in one volume, uniting theory, practice, and case studies from experienced colleagues in the field. Topics include: cultivating creativity, career pivots, forecasting and planning for change, keeping tech and leadership skills ahead of the curve, and incorporating lessons and knowledge from across sectors.


Protecting Patron Privacy book cover

Protecting Patron Privacy
Edited by Bobbi Newman and Bonnie Tijerina (2017)

Although privacy is one of the core tenets of librarianship, technology changes have made it increasingly difficult for libraries to ensure the privacy of their patrons in the 21st century library. This authoritative LITA Guide offers readers guidance on a wide range of privacy topics.


Managing the Digital You book cover

Managing the Digital You: Where and How to Keep and Organize Your Digital Life
Melody Condron (2017)

Managing the Digital You: Where and How to Keep and Organize Your Digital Life is a much-needed guide for those struggling with how to manage and preserve their digital items. Starting with a values assessment, this book helps readers identify what items are important to them personally so that they can effectively prioritize their time and effort. Covering multimedia, correspondence, legacy planning, password protection, photos, non-digital documents, financial and legal documents, and even social media archiving, this comprehensive text addresses how to get started and how to develop a plan for managing existing and future items.


Integrating LibGuides into Library Websites
Edited by Aaron W. Dobbs and Ryan L. Sittler (2016)

Integrating LibGuides into Library Websites introduces ideas and options for both newer users and administrators. This book covers responsive, mobile-first web design, and provides overviews and in-depth information for LibGuides authors and administrators. 


Innovative LibGuides Application: Real World Examples
Edited by Aaron W. Dobbs and Ryan L. Sittler (2016)

Innovative LibGuides Applications: Real World Examples shows both new and experienced users methods to utilize the platform in ways that they may not have previously considered. This includes topics such as website and learning management system integration, digital collections, data-drive decision-making, information literacy instruction, library administration, and a system-wide case study. Each chapter features ideas that you can implement immediately, or over time, as is appropriate to your own needs. Further, they are adaptable—tweak as you see fit!


Data Visualization: A Guide to Visual Storytelling for Libraries
Edited by Lauren Magnuson (2016)

Data Visualization: A Guide to Visual Storytelling for Libraries is a practical guide to the skills and tools needed to create beautiful and meaningful visual stories through data visualization. Learn how to sift through complex datasets to better understand a variety of metrics, such as trends in user behavior and electronic resource usage, return on investment (ROI) and impact metrics, and data about library collections and repositories.


Mobile Technologies in Libraries
Ben Rawlins (2016)

The ever expanding usage of mobile technologies has dramatically changed how we access information and how we as a society expect to access information. With mobile technologies becoming available to an increasing majority of the population, users are constantly connected to information. 


Library Service Design: A LITA Guide to Holistic Assessment, Insight, and Improvement
Joe J. Marquez and Annie Downey (2016)

Service design is a holistic, co-creative, and user-centered approach to understanding user behavior for creating or refining services. 


The Librarian's Introduction to Programming Languages
Edited by Beth Thomsett-Scott (2016)

The Librarian’s Introduction to Programming Languages presents case studies and practicalapplications for using the top programming languages in library and information settings. While there are books and Web sites devoted to teaching programming, there are few works that address multiple programming languages or address the specific reasons why programming is a critical area of learning for library and information science professionals.


Digitizing Flat Media: Principles and Practices
Joy M. Perrin (2015)

Here is a concise guide to the nuts and bolts of converting flat media (books, papers, maps, posters, slides, micro formats, etc) into digital files. It provides librarians and archivists with the practical knowledge to understand the process and decision making in the digitization of flat media. Instead of having to learn by trial and error, they will get a well-rounded education of the practical aspects of digitization and have a better understanding of their options. This is the stuff they don’t teach you in school.