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But I Want To Hold It In My Hand! Print Resources
Rivers, Vickie. The Branch Librarians' Handbook. McFarland, 2004. ISBN 0-7864-1821-4. Purchase from Amazon.com.
Rivers has written a handbook that, with more research and better organization, could have been one of the best comprehensive manuals for branch library managers ever written. The book covers a broad spectrum of topics essential to the management of a branch, ranging from managing your staff to programming and outreach. Unfortunately, the book lacks linear structure and is not well organized, jumping between unrelated topics such as discussing the importance of conducting a supplies inventory to what to do if you are served with a subpoena on the same page! It provides a whirlwind tour of many important issues, but is overly simplistic and leaves the reader wanting more. For example, there is only one paragraph devoted to the issue of computer use policies. In addition, the minimal bibliography is inadequate and leaves the reader with no resources to refer to for additional information. An over-reliance on recycled material from the Whole Library Handbook 2 and The Whole Library Handbook 3 is another weakness of Rivers' book. Finally, it includes some alarming disclosures and suggestions, including the disclosure that the author fired a staff member on the spot for inappropriate behavior and refuses to look up phone numbers for telephone patrons on the grounds that it violates privacy issues. Overall, this book brings up more questions than it answers. Not recommended.
Wendy Lee (librarywendy@yahoo.com) is currently the director of the Marshall-Lyon County Library in southwestern Minnesota and previously spent over six years as a branch librarian.