This book is a collection of 15 essays, all newly written by the author. Among the topics explored are the public library and its social mission, librarians and their core values, the concept of the killer application as it pertains to librarianship, balancing competing claims on resources, why the author became a librarian, why libraries should not be re-engineered, re-imagined or otherwise changed, how technology is being used to stay local, digitizing on a budget, why the Internet will not replace public libraries, e-books, the end of cataloging, how library technology bites back, new competencies for trustees, and how books are weeded.
Fifteen essays by library professional Barnett consider the relationships between libraries, the communities they serve, and technology. He argues that while libraries have been changed by technology, their basic purpose has not been altered. Topics include, for example, how technology is being used to help libraries stay local, new competencies for library trustees, and why the Internet will not replace public libraries. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
