College and Research Libraries 86 I College & Research Libraries • January 1979 increases caused numerous problems. Once the collection development apparatus to ex- pend the funds was assembled, the funding just as rapidly declined. This brought new problems. East and Magrill have written a paper that should be read by all librarians involved with collection development or ac- quisitions. John Cole, executive director of the Li- brary of Congress' Center for the Book , in his essay on the role of the Library of Con- gress in American life, discusses the con- troversy of LC' s dual role that has existed since the turn of the century. The issue of whether to be a legislative library and a na- tional library at the same time has not yet, of course, been solved. Cole neatly skirts the issue of a nonlibrarian being the Librar- ian of Congress by saying that "when one considers the national character of the Li- brary's history , this preference is hardly surprising" (p.67). The paper is brief, histor- ical, and very much to the point. The article by Elizabeth Dickinson and Margaret Myers details many of the difficult aspects of affirmative action currently facing librarians and also points out that the idea is here to stay. Further, guidelines for a plan of action are presented. We are also rightly told that affirmative action will not take hold overnight because " social change generally takes place in an evolutionary fashion " (p.128) . Charles Townley's paper on library ser- vice to native Americans is a survey of what is going on in Indian America in terms of li- brary service in the 1970s. Specific libraries and their information needs are described and policy development and funding bases are discussed. This paper should be of interest and use to anyone involved with li- brary service to native Americans . In his survey of recent historical literature in librarianship , David Kaser adapts one of Will Rogers ' sayings to librarianship: "li- brary history is not as good as it used to be, and it probably never was" (p.183). The survey is thorough, and Kaser claims that the literature of library history is on the in- crease, is of high quality, and is useful to the profession. Library education , including continuing education , is the topic of the two final papers in volume 8 of Advances in Librar- ianship. The first, by John Wilkinson, a pro- fessor of library science at the University of Toronto, deals with library education in Canada. The library science curriculum in Canada is somewhat more theoretical than it is in many American library schools. This education is then rounded out by practice work in libraries. It is interesting to note that this model is a topic of debate among American library school educators and may well be adopted someday by library schools in this country. Continuing education has been and still is a controversial subject to many librarians. In her long detailed paper, Elizabeth Stone attempts to define continuing education, discusses its various facets , and argues that continuing education is a must if librarians are to keep pace with a society increasingly demanding lifelong learning. Stone's paper provides a good framework for ongoing dis- cussions, which will help to mold continuing education in the future. The present volume of Advances in Li- brarianship continues the established tradi- tion of the previous seven. The quality of scholarship and writing is high. This vol- ume, like the others , should find a good home in most academic and research librar- ies and should be considered necessary reading for those librarians seriously in- terested in the state of the art of library science.-William E. Hannaford, Jr., Middlebury College , Middlebury, Vermont. " Energy Conservation in Libraries," by Cary G. Bullock, Walter E. Henry, Jr., Stanley S. Kolodkin , and Lucille Rose- man , Library Technology Reports 14:305-437 (July/Aug. 1978). $40 for single issue. Energy conservation may mean different things to different people. Its most obvious and direct meaning is the saving of the fast-depleting sources of fossil energy; its simple message is to save energy by reduc- ing its use. Energy conservation may also be considered as a method of better utiliza- tion of unused , often wasted, energy. An improved airflow circulation in the library may not only save energy, but also it can significantly improve working conditions in the building. An awareness of the energy cost may prompt a more efficient use of equipment; a simple replacement of a dirty filter in an air conditioner, for example, will improve the efficiency of that system by 10 to 15 percent. Library administrators should be in- terested in the significance of budgetary sav- ings offered by various energy conservation programs. A mere reduction in the lamp voltage from 100 to 75 watts will reduce the cost of electricity by 25 percent. Energy saving programs may also appeal for their high investment value. If, for example, Bos- ton Public Library had not invested in its present energy saving program, its current energy bills would have exceeded 1. 38 million dollars, 15 percent of the total li- brary budget. And, finally, by reducing or eliminating some of the fancy ornamental lighting in their libraries, librarians can, in a literally "visual" way, reinforce the message that energy conservation is important- everybody's business. Each of the above illustrations, quoted from the July/ August 1978 issue of Library Technology Reports, ought to attract the at- tention of the readers of this review. The Recent Publications I 87 feature . article in this issue was originally written for the Buildings and Equipment Section of ALA's Library Administration Division. Its authors, the staff of Xenergy, Inc., a consulting firm specializing in energy issues, are well versed in library conserva- tion needs. Following an introductory overview of energy costs, shortages, and government regulations, the article lists various factors that affect the consumption of energy, such as the size, age, and location of the library building. The paper suggests possible energy conservation plans that could be tai- lored to local situations. A large part of the study is dedicated to a detailed discussion of major types of energy usages, including lighting, humidity, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. A separate chapter sum- marizes the potentials of new technologies, from solar energy to computer-controlled energy saving systems. The study ends with a list of sources of assistance and a current bibliography on the subject of energy con- servation. The essay is written specifically for librar- 88 I College & Research Libraries • January 1979 ians, with examples drawn from actual li- brary situations. Well illustrated, with easily understood tables and diagrams, the article provides an informative summary of various aspects of energy conservation. The authors make their point in a matter-of-fact, ra- tional, and very convincing manner. The presentation is by itself a good example of how to save the reader's energy, by using gibberish-free language. The study is strongly recommended to all library pa- trons, library administrators, and especially to the librarians' budget-controlling super- visors.-Joseph Z. Nitecki, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. Lancaster, F. W. Toward Paperless Infor- mation Systems. Library and Information Science Series. New York: Academic Press, 1978. 179p. $13.50. LC 78-51237. ISBN 0-12-436050-5. This book gives the author's view of our transition to a paperless society, i.e., the replacement of print-on-paper by electronic media for many forms of human communi- cation, particularly in science, technology, government, and business fields. The author views this as an inevitable and normal proc- ess that is also desirable because of the cost/benefit and efficiency possible. This well-designed, easily read book be- gins by summarizing the gains made in the application of computers to the storage, re- trieval, and dissemination of information. The concept of a paperless system is intro- duced through next discussing a prototype system at the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency called SAFE (Support for the Analyst File Environment). Here the goal is to reduce the need for extensive personal document files through the substitution of a system that permits individuals to practice their own organization of documents and have access to better central information. Next, through an excellent summary of the work that has been done on communica- tion in the scientific and technological disci- plines, the author introduces a scenario for an electronic information system set in the year 2000. Feasibility and benefits of such a system are discussed in the next chapter in a logical and well-reasoned manner. As- sessment of the technological, intellectual, social, and psychological problems to be en- countered are realistically dealt with, and of interest to librarians will be the final chap- ter before the conclusion, which deals with the role of libraries in a paperless society. Lest we all think we can hide our heads in the sand and play ostrich, information specialists and librarians should note that we see ample evidence around us daily of what Lancaster addresses in this neat vol- ume. The pieces are here now: computer conferencing, large on-line data bases, full text storage and retrieval, personal micro- computers that will soon rival the power and storage of our present mainframes, and new forms of storage, to name a few exam- ples. In fact, today many people perform work at home or out of their offices that only sev- eral years ago had to be done in the office. Whether we really accept it or not, paper- less information systems will slowly per- meate our work and even affect our life- styles and our leisure, perhaps more than we would care to admit. But perhaps of most interest to those who may read this review is the impact of these developments on the information sphere that libraries serve. Lancaster approaches this area with a positive posture but not without warning the library community that librarians and libraries will have to change their service views and their activities. He further points out the fact that librarians have largely neglected serious study of how paperless systems will affect their role and that of their libraries. Perhaps the best way to taste of this book is to read a recent article by Lancaster enti- tled "Whither Libraries? or Wither Librar- ies" in the September 1978 issue of C&RL (p.34~57) in which he addresses this prob- lem further. This reviewer recommends purchase of this volume for library and information sci- ence collections, both personal and institu- tional. It should be read by librarians, in- formation specialists, computer profession- als, and those interested in technology trends, future studies, and economics of in- formation. Collections concentrating on computer developments, future studies, and intelligence community activities should also acquire this volume at its modest price for the information it contains.-Audrey N.