College and Research Libraries fers from earlier studies in its emphasis upon the critical rather than the bio- graphical. Only American Women Writers, the publisher asserts, combines critical con- sideration with essential biographical infor- mation; only American Women Writers pro- vides, for almost every author, primary bib- liographies and selected secondary sources. Who are included? The foreword enum- erates five ·categories, beginning with "writers of reputation," like Louisa May Al- cott, Willa Cather, and Joan Didion, for whom space is commensurate with fame. Popular authors appear in a representative selection, determined by such criteria as contemporary response, sales, extent of translation, scholarly interest. Nontradi- tional writers (authors of diaries, letters, au- tobiographies) also emerge as a representa- tive group, while children's writers enjoy "substantial coverage." In the fifth category, through a very selective sampling, are those whose extraliterary achievements have won wide general readership: Anita Bryant, Rachel Carson, Adelle Davis, and others. The remaining introductory pages of the first volume produce the expected: names and academic affiliations of the committee of consultants, names of contributors and their contributions to the volume, a list of writers to be included in all four volumes, and, finally, abbreviations of newspaper and journal references not occurring in the mas- ter list of journals and series familiar to all users of the MLA International Bibliogra- phy. Each dictionary entry in this first volume-from Edith Abbott to Sarah Ann Evans-presents the writer's name in natu- ral order set in striking twenty-four-point Goudy Bold. Vital statistics follow in small italic type. After the essays, varying in length from 400 to 5,000 words, the author bibliographies appear with works listed in chronological order. Secondary-source ref- erences complete most entries. With but few exceptions, essays and attendant data are the work of women members of the American academic community. Despite the assertions of the publisher, a review of the essays themselves does reveal, in many, a predominant biographical ele- ment, often combined with a largely de- scriptive, rather than a truly evaluative, Recent Publications I 81 view of the author's works. Except for the studies of major writers, most essays do not exceed 500 words; consequently the space for extended critical consideration is lim- ited. As for the bibliographies, secondary sources are indeed selective, and reliance upon predecessor dictionaries is evident in the oft-repeated "for articles in reference· works, see Notable American Women, 1607-1950." Yet, for some little-known writers, the guide makes an important first attempt at bibliographical compilation. The practice of identifying each writer by her surname ini- tial throughout the critical essay results in a series of studies about A., followed by another series concerning B., and so on, through the E. entries. Probably adopted to conserve precious space, the use of the ini- tial alone seems to depersonalize the subject and subtly weakens each presentation. Few reference tools are without flaw, and American Women Writers, as represented by volume 1 in attractive, sturdy octavo, is a significant undertaking. (J sed with other complementary resources, it will serve well, not only students of literature, but also those interested in women's studies and in American studies as well. Through the in- clusion of writers in many fields, the guide may reach general readers, even casual browsers, in the reference room. Since the concluding paragraph of the publisher's foreword acknowledges the need for a sup- plement to compensate for the inevitable omissions resulting from lack of space, a supplementary volume and, later, a revised edition seem probable. Though not inex- pensive, American Women Writers is an important purchase for academic and large public libraries.-Martha Chambers, State University of New York, College at Oneonta. Brenni, Vito Joseph. The Bibliographic Control of American Literature, 1920- 1975. Metuchen, N.J.: Scarecrow, 1979. 210p. $10. LC 79-12542. ISBN 0-8108- 1221-5. If author Brenni had any inclinations toward heavily expounding on the theories of, and problems inherent in, bibliographic control, as the title may mislead one into expecting, he has mercifully spared his 88 I College & Research Libraries •] anuary 1980 readers. Instead, he offers an intelligent survey appraising specific publication sources for American belles lettres, i.e., imaginative literature-poetry, stories, novels, and drama-not critical studies. Opening ·with an extensive bibliographic essay, Brenni traces, in three chapters, the development of bibliographic control in the United States. A fourth chapter summarizes the preceding ones and lists recommen- dations for future bibliographers. Major and many minor and obscure tools of biblio- graphic control-principally bibliographies, bibliographic essays, and anthologies (those containing otherwise unavailable biblio- graphic data) but also several annuals and dissertations-are skillfully investigated. Tools considered may be comprehensive or may be devoted to specific genres and eras of American literature or to geographic areas, individuals, or specific subjects. Complete bibliographic data for each title appear in footnotes. Unfortunately, Brenni's discussion, complemented by interesting tidbits, is intermittently palled by pedes- trian writing. Three lengthy appendixes, paralleling the major sections of the essay, close the vol- ume. Each is a bibliography of works, many of which are not mentioned in the essay, listed topically under headings such as "Comprehensive National Bibliography,,. "Regional Literary Collections," and "Au- thor Bibliographies." Appendixes are not covered by the otherwise adequate index. Certain titles are inexplicably omitted, the volume's only major flaw. The recent and excellent Index of American Periodical Verse is included but two classics, Granger's Index to Poetry . and Index to Lit- tle Magazines, are missing. Similarly, non- print sources, such as Hastings' Spoken Poetry on Recor~ and Tapes and the Li- brary of Congress' Literary Recordings, are ignored. Despite the work's limitations, enough nuggets are apparent to ensure its value to reference collections or to library science and literature students and professors. One hopes Brenni will write a companion vol- ume, attending to those categories pur- posely excluded from this one, specifically ethnic and "popular culture" literatures, and investigating the control of the belles lettres AMBASSADOR BOOK SERVICE, INC. ; AMBASSADOR BOOK SERVICE, INC. "serving academic and research libraries" 42 Chasner Street • Hempstead, NY 11550 Call us 516/489-4011 collect! of American gays/lesbians and women.-Jim Elledge, Columbus-Cuneo-Cabrini Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois . Studies in Library Management. V.5. Ed. by Anthony Vaughan. London: Clive Bingley; New York : K. G . Saur, 1979. 168p. $12. ISBN 0-85157-265-0 Bingley; 0-89664-400-6 Saur. A collection of essays, this work attempts to examine many different aspects of man- agement of libraries. Since most of the au- thors are British, the work has a decidedly British orientation. This presents some dif- ferent approaches to viewing management of libraries but does not hinder the book from being interesting and provocative. The first article, by Louis Kaplan, looks at professionalism in libraries. 'Professionalism, a major concern of librarians worldwide, is seen by the author to be achieved only wben the field has "expanded [its] humanis- tic and scientific knowledge." A profession operating in a bureauracy, as does the field of librarianship, can achieve professional au- thority only through the attainment of pro- fessional status. Kaplan presents some in- teresting arguments to support this thesis. The article should prove to be the basis of lively discussion in libraries throughout the world . Harrison Bryan examines various methods of organizing staff in large academic librar- ies. Drawing upon experiences in the United States, Britain, and Australia, he ex- amines the advantages and disadvantages of organizing by function, subject, and com- mittee. He also studies the impact of these organizational structures on job satisfaction, communication, and new forms of technol- ogy. His conclusion is that, no matter how the library' s organization finally evolves, li- brarians will not fail to study how the or- ganizational structure ultimately has an im- pact upon the service given to the library's patrons. Management by objective (MBO) is the subject of K. H. Jones' study. Jones pre- sents a history of MBO and the terminology associated with this school of management. The essay attempts to apply these concepts to libraries . Unfortunately, the presentation at times is unclear and difficult to follow. This article is the weakest in the collection. Recent Publications I 89 Stephen Roberts examines the importance of communication to good management. He presents various theories of communications and how communication flows can influence the management of both human and mate- rials resources. He concludes that com- munication is important to management, so that the manager can "apply the right de- gree of regulation in accordance with objec- tives and tasks." Achieving this goal is the difference between job satisfaction and job dissatisfaction of the staff. The article will engender much discussion among staff in libraries everywhere. Libraries in the Third World are the focus of the essay by Manil Silva. Silva states that, to manage these libraries, one must be able to deal with shortages of mate- rials, equipment, and supplies as well as staff untrained to deal with these situations. The article points out that library schools in more highly developed countries should be aware of' these differences when training students , from the underdeveloped coun .. tries. Liz Chapman studies the use of role play- ing in management. Recounting the experi- ence of a workshop at Brunei University, Chapman demonstrates how role playing can enlighten staff members to the prob- lems faced by colleagues. The article is an excellent presentation and can be .easily applied in a variety of library settings. Theorizing that librarians' view of the world influences how they view their roles as librarians , Adrian Mole states that these views also influence library management. Mole outlines four different views (conserva- tive , technocratic, liberal, and radical) and examines their impact on scientific man- agement, participatory management, and professionalism. This article, too, should evoke lively discussion throughout the profession.-Mary Scherger Bonhomme, Stellite Division , Cabot Corporation, Kokomo, Indiana. Clasper, James W., and Dellenbach, M. Carolyn. Guide to the Holdings of the American jewish Archives. Publications of the American Jewish Archives, no . XI. Cincinnati: American Jewish Archives, 1979. 211p. $20. LC 79-63392. ISBN 0-87820-007-X. ISSN 0190-7417. (Avail-