Divided Libraries

Webb, a retired academic librarian, library dean, and assistant library director, argues that university libraries are divided from their constituencies, governing bodies, users, missions, each other, and in other ways and identifies methods to fix the divisions and resolve negative situations, and therefore improve student learning. He discusses the role of librarians as educators and how they need to bridge the divide with faculty and administrators, then outlines a study at California State U. Sacramento that examined the university's perceptions of the library as an agent in teaching and learning, as well as additional studies and library assessment. Continuing to focus on California State U. Sacramento studies and initiatives, he addresses issues in librarian education, particularly in teaching and learning methods; scholarly communication; the open access movement; and library management. Annotation c2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

The late T.D. Webb was retired from a long career in academic libraries, during which he was a library dean at three universities, an assistant university library director, and associate university vice president for instructional technology services. The author of four other books on the profession, he also contributed many articles to such library publications as Library Journal, American Libraries, College & Research Libraries, IFLA Journal and Public Library Quarterly.