'In general, this edited work has refreshingly managed to draw together contributors in a coherent and logical compilation which goes a long way to achieving its aims. The key issues of quality assurance, networking, changes in educational practice and philosophy, electronic libraries, networking and a less homogenous economic and cultural student profile, are all fully acknowledged and addressed. The work will certainly be of use to all higher education libraries and academic departments, as well as being of use to the student of library and information management.' Richard Turner, Liverpool John Moores University, UK, New Library World. 'The issues and suggested strategies to meet challenges in the higher education sector discussed in this collection may inspire and/or reassure Australian academic librarians. Whether read selectively or as a whole, this book provides much food for thought and offers constructive suggestions for practice of relevance to library practitioners and educators in a rapidly changing environment.' Gaby Haddow, Curtin University; Australian Academic & Research Libraries, March 2007 'All practising subject librarians would benefit from reading this thoughtful and informative volume. Although it will remind them of the uncertainties with which they are surrounded, it does, nevertheless, convey an overall message of optimism that, despite the current "discussion within librarianship about professional values and job satisfaction", the effort of individuals is likely to lead "to a service that is responsive to need, and is understood and supported by faculty and the institution" (Conclusions; Chapter 13).' Leslie Dingle, Cambridge University, Legal Information Management, 7, 2007 'Overall this is a good collection of essays that provide an informative assessment of subject librarianship in the United Kingdom. In addition to its explication of how subject specialists work in Britain, the essays also refer to some of the most important governmental white papers dealing with higher education and learning in the United Kingdom.' Technical Services Quarterly, Vol 2511, 2007 'Whether read selectively or as a whole, this book provides much food for thought and offers constructive suggestions for practice of relevance to library practitioners in a rapidly changing environment.' Australian Academic & Research Libraries March 2007 'Subject Librarians is not a "how to do it" book, and for the most part does not give practical advice on how to carry out the daily work of a subject librarian. it will, however, suggest to the reflective practitioner many avenues which need to be explored in order to engage successfully with, in the words of the subtitle "the learning and teaching environment", and to adpat to changes which will inevitably occur, both in the structure of higher education and in the subject matter of librarianship. ... The collection as a whole demonstrates the centrality of subject librarians to the academic enterprise and should be read by any subject librarian suffering from low professional esteem, or by any university manager who believes that subject librarians are a waste of public money.' Library reviews, Vol 56, Issue 5 2007 'The more I read, the more I realized that it was not actually what subject librarians were which this book is descibing, but what these librarians should become to remin relevant, serve their constituencies and just survive.' The Electronic Library, Vol 25 Issue 5, 2007 '... this book is a welcome addition to the library literature... The book will be of most value to students and librarianship practitioners new to this role or approaching specific aspects for the first time, but the chapters by Holland and Trew offer useful reviews for seasoned professionals too.' Journal of Librarianship & Information Science, September 2008
