Am. Library Association

Intellectual property; everything the digital-age librarian needs to know.

Writing in a conversational, often humorous style, Wherry (director, Robert E. Riche Library, Pennsylvania State University-Altoona) overviews current intellectual property issues from the perspective of library staff and patrons. First, he explains how to distinguish among three different types of intellectual property (patents, copyright, and trademarks), then details issues related to each one, and gives instructions for searching patents and trademarks. Just for fun, there is an appendix summarizing intellectual property codes in verse. Another appendix lists contact information for patent and trademark depository libraries. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Is consulting for you?; a primer for information professionals.

De Stricker, an information consultant for 15 years, provides a perspective from the trenches of the many consulting opportunities available within and outside the library setting. She examines the pros and cons of consulting, describes the market and the outlook for the future, and outlines steps for partnering with professionals, developing effective business and marketing plans, and negotiating contracts and proposals. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Sex, brains, and video games; a librarian's guide to teens in the twenty-first century.

Burek Pierce (library and information science, U. of Iowa) offers school, public, and academic librarians a concise guide to teen patrons and how best to reach them Drawing on findings from neurological, psychological, and educational research, she explains what others who work with teens have learned from their professional activities, how that knowledge might revise librarians' thinking about teens, and how to encourage new priorities and partnerships in youth services. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)