College and Research Libraries


ments in a major union list project and, as 
such, is a proper part of the literature. The 
self-examination is honest in pointing to 
errors and will be of considerable interest 
and value to other projects. The text is a 
classic exposition of what happens in the 
merger of differing machine-readable files. 

A few poorly produced charts and the soft 
paper format bound with plastic strips are 
all minor when compared with the intellec-
tual content and the 'contributions this 
analysis makes to union-listing in general. 
No one will want to curl up with this in 
front of a fire, but any union lister will learn 
from this document and should treat this 
analysis as a benchmark of what to avoid.-
Neal L. Edgar, Kent State University, Kent , 
Ohio. 

Gabriel, Michael R., and Ladd , Dorothy P. 
The Microform Revolution in Libraries. 
Foundations in Library and Information 
Science . V.3. Greenwich, Conn.: JAI 
Press, 1980. 176p. $24.50. LC 76-5646. 
ISBN 0-89232-008-7. 
This informative book starts with a histor-

ical sketch of microphotography and an 
overview of microformats. These first two 
chapters are very readable and form a con-
venient setting for what is to follow . 

The third chapter, on computer-output-
microform (COM), is limited in scope. 
Prime attention is placed on the role of 
COM in production of library catalogs and 
other library activities. The role of COM as 
a print medium for non-library-generated 
publications is not discussed. With the di-
versity of COM applications , the potential 
for library res_ources generated by others 
through COM should have been men-
tioned. 

Serials and monographs in microform 
compose the fourth and fifth chapters . The 
serials chapter provides some useful informa-
tion for libraries converting or considering 
converting from hard copy to microform. 
The monograph chapter gets bogged down 
in a listing of large monographic collections 
available on microform. The listings are 
brief and highly selective and probably 
would have been best if eliminated. 

The sixth chapter, "Micrographics and 
Government Publications," will be of great 
interest to document librarians. The num-

Recent Publications I 381 

her and diversity of government publica-
tions available in microform are discussed 
and examples cited. Again, this listing is· not 
meant to be all-inclusive but representative. 
This chapter does not address some of the 
problems with document microforms, such 
as lack of quality control, which has caused 
at least some nonacceptance of this format 
by documents librarians . 

Acquisition of microform and equipment 
for its use are the topic of Chapter 7. This 
chapter pulls together from several sources 
some guidelines for evaluation of micro-
forms and equipment. The variety of 
sources for reviews of microforms and 
equipment are of prime interest to li-
brarians and are well covered here. In addf-
tion, a select listing of micropublishers is in-
cluded. This section could have been im-
proved by the inclusion of some guidelines 
to use in considering the conversion from 
hard copy to microform or for selection of 
microform initially. 

The eighth chapter reports some research 
findings on the comparison of hard copy and 
microform. Unfortunately, this interesting 
chapter is buried in the book. The readabil-
ity of microforms has received so many de-
rogatory comments that it is encouraging to 
see quoted readability studies favorable to 
microforms. 

The last chapter deals with setting up a 
microform facility. This chapter would have 
been enhanced with a discussion of central-
ized versus decentralized facilities. Guide-
lines for either type of facilities and floor 
plans would also have been helpful. 

Overall, this book represents a consolida-
tion of material, possibly difficult to iden-
tify, and a helpful discussion of problems 
common to microforms. This book should 
be read by both practicing librarians and. 
library school students. A useful glossary is 
included. Because of the specifics included, 
this volume will become obsolete quickly 
although it provides a good statement of the 
current status of microforms in libraries.-
Helen R. Citron , Georgia Institute of Tech-
nology, Atlanta. 

Maltby, Arthur, and Gill, Lindy. The Case 
for Bliss: Modern Classification Practice 
and Principles in the Context of the Bib-
liographic Classification. London: Clive