A new edition of ALA Neal-Schuman’s comprehensive technology companion

CHICAGO— For its fifth edition, John J. Burke has completely updated and reorganized “The Neal-Schuman Library Technology Companion: A Basic Guide for Library Staff,” making it more compelling than ever. The perfect primer for LIS students, this one-stop overview published by ALA Neal-Schuman should also be at the top of the list for any current or future library professional looking to stay at the forefront of technological advancement. It gives readers a sound and sensible way to consider, access, and use library technologies to better meet the needs of library users. Its incisive coverage includes:

• complete analysis of the librarian’s technological toolbox for teaching, security, databases, and more;
• expert advice on how to compare and evaluate competing technology solutions;
• mobile devices and technology, social media, streaming media, and privacy;
• makerspaces and other technology programing;
• updated content on open source catalog systems, discovery layers, and related elements of library management systems;
• a new section on learning management systems (LMS);
• websites, web-based services, and free information resources;
• improved guidance on usability;
• new technology predictions for the future, with tips on how to stay up to date with the latest developments; and
• a glossary of useful terms.

Examination copies are available for instructors who are interested in adopting this title for course use.

Burke is Library Director and Principal Librarian for the Gardner-Harvey Library on the Middletown regional campus of Miami University (Ohio). Prior to his current position, he gained library technology experience at the University of Cincinnati–Raymond Walters College (Ohio) and Fairmont State College (West Virginia). He is a past president of the Academic Library Association of Ohio (ALAO) and a recipient of that organization’s Jay Ladd Distinguished Service Award. Author of several other books, including four previous editions of “The Neal-Schuman Library Technology Companion,” he has presented on a variety of technology topics at numerous conferences.

ALA Store purchases fund advocacy, awareness and accreditation programs for library professionals worldwide. Founded in 1976 by Patricia Glass Schuman and John Vincent Neal, Neal-Schuman Publishers, now an imprint of ALA Publishing, publishes professional books for librarians, archivists, and knowledge managers. Contact us at (800) 545-2433 ext. 5052 or editionsmarketing@ala.org.

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"The Neal-Schuman Library Technology Companion, Fifth Edition: A Basic Guide for Library Staff"

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