College and Research Libraries 240 /College & Research Libraries • May 1975 Ayres, F. H., and Hall, J., eds. Information Services in University Libraries: Pro- ceedings of a SCONUL Exchange of Experience Seminar on Information Ser- vices in University Libraries Held at the University of Bradford from the 17th to the 19th of December 1973. London: SCONUL, 197 4. 214p. £2.25 (Order from: SCONUL Secretariat, c/o The Library, School of Oriental & Mrican Studies, Malet Street, London WClE 7HP, England.) This book includes the proceedings of a seminar held at the University of Bradford in December 1973. The seminar centered on the emergence of information services in British universities and polytechnic in- stitutions. The papers deal primarily with the state-of-the-art situations, but there is some concern with future developments and the evolving needs of library users. The twelve papers included were given both by librarians and representatives of subject disciplines. The central theme shows how information services are begin- ning to be an integral part of British aca- demic libraries. A point which is noted throughout is that there is not one model of service which will fit all institutions. Both computerized and manual services are needed, and services must be provided in the library as well as outside of it. Each institution must develop a variety of ser- vices which most fully serve the needs of its patrons. The library should be consid- ered an instrument of communication, not an end in itself. Information services in this book refer mainly to computerized retrieval systems. The range of coverage of the services by subject and time span is more limited than similar American services. This impression may be due to the fact that the meeting was held in 1973. Developments in the past two years have been significant. It is evi- dent from these papers that public service in British academic institutions is not as fully developed as it is in American li- braries. Computer-based services are only one as- pect of the larger problem of information services. The first priority should be to de- termine the needs and then ascertain which type or types of services best meet the needs. Cost effectiveness must be a part of the consideration. There is a clear distinction made in sev- eral cases between information services and reader service. Information service is more current awareness while reader service is information and self-help guidance. The ini- tiation of information services often seemed to unleash latent demands for more service. One of the most valuable contributions in the book is the "Survey of Information Services Provided by British University Li- braries, 1973." The survey lists most Brit- ish academic institutions and includes in- formation on staff, reference services, man- ual current awareness services, computer- based information services, and publica- tions. This listing provides a good overview of information service activities. Any set of proceedings begins with the disadvantage of being dated before it is published and presenting papers which were prepared for oral presentation con- verted to a written format. The editorial work in this case has been thorough, and the material has a natural How. One of the unfortunate shortcomings of the collection is that there were no con- clusions drawn either in the individual pa- pers or based on the total presentation. It is good to know what is going on, but it is better to evaluate the activities than to ac- cept them at face value.-Irene Braden Hoadley, Texas A & M University Library, College Station. Oboler, Eli M. Fear of the Word: Censor- ship and Sex. Metuchen, N.J.: Scare- crow, 1974. 362p. $10.00. (74-6492). (ISBN 0-8108-0724-6). Fear of the Word is an inquiry into the "whole complex of causes, of sources, of the origins of censorship" and devotes itself primarily to the censorship of written state- ments concerning the sexual life of men. It attempts to answer the question: "Why are men afraid of certain words, even though the behavior they denote is generally ac- cepted?" Oboler, librarian of Idaho State Univer- sity and a leader in intellectual freedom ac- tivities of the American Library Associa- tion, has attempted to do this through an