College and Research Libraries Recent Publications COLLEGE Fr RESEARCH LIBRARIES Myrick, William J., Jr. Coordination: Concept or Reality? A Study of Libraries in a University System, reviewed by Glyn T. Evans . . . . . . . . 469 Welsch, Erwin K. Libraries and Archives in Germany, . reviewed by Kurt S. Maier 470 Clack, Doris H. ~lack Literature Resources: Analysis and Organization, reviewed by Jessie Carney Smi~h . . . . . . . . . . , ·. . . . 4 71 Borko, Harold, ·and Bernier, Charles L. Abstracting Concepts and Methods, re- . viewed by Jessica L. Harris . . . 472 Harvey, Joan M. Specialised Information Centres, reviewed by Edwin T. Coman, Jr. 473. Campbell, Malcolm J., ed. Manual of Business Library Practice, re_viewed by Ed- win T . ·Coman; Jr. . . . . .. . . . . . 473 Information Revolution, reviewed by Richard J. Talbot . 474 Information Roundup, reviewed by Richard J. Talbot . . . · 474 Cave, Roderick. Rare Book Librarianship, reviewed by John F. Guido . . . 476 Edwards, Ralph M. The R.ole of the Beginning Librarian in University Libraries, reviewed by Leslie W. Sheridan . . . . . . . . · . . . . . . 477 Adamovich, Shirley Gray, ed. Reader in Library Technology, reviewed by Barbara R. Healy . . . . . . . . . . . · . . . . . . . . . . 478 Evans,. Frank B., eomp. Modem Archives and Manuscripts: A Select Bibliography, reviewed by Nicholas C. Burckel . . . . . . . . . . . . 478 MetcaHe, John. Information Retrieval, British & American, 1876-1976, reviewed by Wayne W. Wiegand . · . . . . . . . . . . . . 479 Verona, Eva. Corporate Headings: Their Use in Library Catalogues and National Bibliographies, reviewed by Ake I. Koel · 480 BOOK REVIEWS Myrick, William J., Jr. Coordination: Con- cept or Reality? A Study of Libraries in a University System. Metuchen, N.J.: Scarecrow, 1975. 175p. $7.50. (LC 74- 22456) (ISBN 0-8108-0776-9) This is an important book, not so much for what it tells us about City University of New York (CUNY) as . for what it tells us about library cooperation. If libraries in a multicampus university system find co- ordination this difficult, how do looser con- sortia! groups fare? This book, based on Myrick's doctoral dissertation, is an account of CUNY's at- tempts to "coordinate the activities of the libraries, and of establishing uniform prac- tices among them."· The early chapters re- port the development of CUNY and its li- braries from the opening of the Free ~cad­ emy in 1849 (later to becom·e City College . in 1866) and Hunter College in 1870, through the period of the College of the City of New York (1929-61 when the main member colleges were .City, Hunter, Brook- lyn, and Queens) to the creation of CUNY in 1961 and the period of growth from that time. The detailed account ends with ac- tivities taking place in 1972, with a status report and the occasional footnote report- ing data from 1974. There is not, of course, a report of the recent dramatic events fol- lowing the fiscal crisis of the city (and the state) and their impact on the libraries. From this base, Myrick then examines the attempts at coordination of the librar- ies, with chapters on the .coordinating agen- cies, union catalog and interli~r3;ry . loan, further a5pects of coordination, an account of the office of the dean for libraries., 1969-:- 71, and a chapter on the affiliation with · New York Public Library . . By and large, the tale is a sorry one. My- rick reports. four major. factors which have impeded the deveiopment of coordination . / .469 470 I College & Research Libraries • September 1976 They are institutional autonomy, librarians' negative attitudes, lack of library support by the university. central administration, and the lack of a full-time central coordi- nating agency empowered with line author- ity,' direct access to appropriations, and re- course to statistical data. These conclusions emerge inescapably from the evidence in the narrative. For example, Myrick reports that in 1971 a simple one-card union cata- log was started at Hunter, a procedure which is, as Myrick notes, almost identical to a proposal made by Margaret Rowell in 1955. Four reports from different consul- tants (and a proposed resolution from the CUNY Librarians' Association [LA CUNY]), submitted over a period of five years, pro- posed the creation of some form of coordi- nating office. All were, in the first instance, rejected. When the dean's office finally was created, it lasted less than two years, 1969-71, and the post has not been filled since. In 1966 the university commissioned a study by Felix Reichmann and Irlene Stephens on the feasibility of centralizing technical pro- cesses. The resulting report listed sixty- seven specific recommendations. By the time it had been revised and rewritten in response to comment and criticism by the Council of Librarians, "there were now thirteen recommendations, not one of which had any direct connection with technical services. Of the remaining 66 recommenda- tions, only three had been implemented by July 1974," LC conversion, application to (and denial by) ARL, and the union cata- log at Hunter. What of CUNY libraries now? All the senior colleges are in OCLC, and technol- ogy will clearly solve many of the mechan- ical problems which so beset the early at- tempts at library coordination. But the real problems will remain. How will the li- braries respond to the crisis? By pulling to- gether or by tugging apart? Will the uni- versity (librarians and administration) now realize and act on the need for strong cen- tral coordination? Libraries must coordinate their activities if they are going to survive, and it is my view that libraries in a multicampus uni- versity have a better chance or opportunity than anyone else. Not that the problems are less difficult or the politics any easier, they are not. · But at least the goal should be ~ more clearly definable. Multicampus li- braries should be the pathfinders, not the laggards, for if they can make library co- ordination work, then there is hope for the independent campus library. If they can't, our fate is deserved. But it is easy to be critical. The terrible truth is that while there are heroes and heroines, there are no villains (although some are shaded grey); only doubt, fear, unawareness, disdain, and other human frailties.--Glyn T. Evans, Director of Li- brary Services, State · University of New York Central Administration. Welsch, Erwin K. Libraries and Archives in Germany. Pittsburgh: Council for Eu- ropean Studies, 1975. 275p. $4.9-5, U.S., $5.95, foreign. (Order from: University Center for International Studies, U niver- sity of Pittsburgh, G-6 Mervis Hall, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260.) For American researchers planning an itinerary of German libraries and archives, Welsch's "handbook" will become as much part of their baggage as a railroad schedule or the Michelin Guide. Those who have studied in Germany can _only regret that this work was not available earlier, for Welsch's book can save the student much time and inconvenience. The author lists almost every major re- search library and archive in the Federal Republic and, to a lesser extent, in East Germany. While the ·emphasis is on the so- cial sciences, the author touches upon all disciplines. A seven-part format for each in- stitution includes the address and the name of its director (it is advisable to write in advance and state one's special needs). The American traveling abroad will appreciate information concerning library hours and the vacation periods observed. The author tells us which libraries have Sachreferenten (subject specialists) who can render help- ful and expert assistance. In the U.S. we have become accustomed to quick access to the ·resources in libraries and archives, but public admittance to stacks is still relatively unknown in Ger- many. It has ·only been in the last decade that German institutions have adopted our philosophy of "readers' service." There is a location guide listing the sub- ject-area responsibilities of German librar- t ~ \ l