College and Research Libraries 94 College & Research Libraries own fav0rite papers on the subject, ''Is the Literature Worth Retrieving?" by S. A. Goudsmit (Physics Today 19:52-55 [Sept. 1966] and "Is the Literature Worth Re- viewing?'' by L. M. Branscomb (Scientific Research 3:49-56 [May 27, 1968], her dis- cussion is no less illuminating for these omissions. Next she presents information on major data compilations and sources of data, with. detailed discussions of the N a- tional Bureau of Standards and its Na- tional Standard Reference Data System, and briefer sections on other national and international programs. Sources of infor- mation on handbooks and data compila- tions, including online access to data, are also covered. In such a rapidly changing area it is to be expected that some recent developments are not included. Thus there is no mention of the online Superin- dex; and in discussing the problem of the lack of standardization in query languages for online systems, she suggests that a possible solution would be for commercial vendors to create interface software that would translate commands of the end user into appropriate commands for a par- ticular file, but she does not mention that such software is already on the market (e.g., Sci Mate). The second part, nearly half of this rather slim book, is taken up by informa- tion about National Bureau of Standards data compilation series and with descrip- tions of selected compilations in these se- ries . In addition, having convincingly made the point in the first half of her book that NBS data series are not adequately in- dexed, Arny concludes this second part with her own index to selected NBS data compilations. Since the NBS is such a sig- nificant producer of critically evaluated data compilations, there is some justifica- tion for this section, but of course it is not and does not pretend to be a comprehen- sive guide to physical and chemical data. Moreover, it is evident that such indexes quickly become dated. For example, the indexes refer to Technical Note 270 forcer- tain thermochemical data, rather than to Supplement 2 to volume 11 of the Journal of Physical and Chemical Reference Data, which supersedes the various parts of this Technical Note. (In fairness, the description January 1985 of TN270 does mention this Supplement, in a note probably added late in the proof stage.) Despite this limitation the index should prove useful. This book would be useful as supple- mentary reading for a course on scientific reference sources, although the lack of an index to the text detracts from this pur- pose. More significantly, I think that any practicing science reference librarian could profit from reading the book and from consulting its NBS index in dealing with reference questions.-Robert Mi- chaelson, Northwestern University Library, Evanston, Illinois. New Options for Librarians: Finding a Job in a Related Field. Ed. by Betty- Carol Sellen and Dimity S. Berkner. New York: Neal-Schuman, 1984. 300p. $19.95. LC 83-22143. ISBN 0-918212-73-1. This collection of pieces by librarians who are in careers outside of the tradi- tional library organization provides excit- ing and important viewpoints on the op- tions as well as requirements for success in these alternative careers. The book is di- vided into two sections: Part 1- "Changing Career Directions," and Part 2-"Some Career Options." There are a total of eighteen pieces, and the editors, Sellen and Berkner, have done a fine job of pulling these diverse pieces together into a well-organized and cohesive presenta- tion . .~. Part 1 offers pieces that cover strategies for assessing career options, evaluating strengths, and marketing skills. The ideas and suggestions contained in these pieces represent the most direct and honest guid- ance about what it takes to be successful in gaining entry and then surviving in the not-for-profit sector that this reviewer has seen in the library field . The authors present a no-nonsense picture of realities of the not-for-profit world and discuss in specific terms the commitment, energy, and time that it takes to be successful. Anyone reading these pieces will go away wiser about the general expectations in al- ternative careers but also with specific ideas and suggestions on how to approach planning a career change. Librarians who want sound suggestions on job hunting Swets ... an attractive, many facetted and transparent subscription service. We would be pleased to send you our informative brochure as well as detailed documentation of our services. 96 College & Research Libraries and interviewing for any library position would also benefit from reading the pieces in Part 1. Part 2 offers views from librarians who have developed careers in diverse organi- zational environments and includes pieces on contract service companies, in- formation brokers, bibliographic coopera- tives, sales and marketing, publishing, and public relations among others. The pieces are well written and well orga- nized. The authors have not overglamor- ized their careers but have provided infor- mation in a direct and honest manner about the requirements and talents needed and the long hours and commit- ment expected in order to be successful. The librarians who have contributed these pieces are professionals with solid experi- ence in the fields that they have written about and they also provide a sense of the excitement and challenge that exists in their careers for the librarian willing to in- vest time, energy, effort, and ideas. The careers are not for the "fainthearted" though, nor are they for anyone looking for a comfortable or slow-paced career. The book-through the frank and stimu- lating pieces-does more than just pro- vide information. It removes the bound- aries or walls that too many perceive exist for librarians and invites us to look at the numerous opportunities that are available or that can be created for those with initia- tive, drive, and ambition. The book should be "must reading" for library school faculty so that they are better able to advise graduate students about career options and also how to market them- selves. Graduate students should be en- couraged, indeed urged, to read this book to benefit from the experiences of these professionals in alternative careers. And, for librarians already in the field but feel- ing restless and ready for a change, New Options for Librarians should provide stim- ulation in thinking about alternatives and opportunities.-Sheila Creth, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. New Technology and Documents Librari- anship: Proceedings of the Third Annual Library Government Documents and In- formation Conference. Ed. by Peter January 1985 Hernon. Westport, Conn.: Meckler, 1983. 107p. $35. LC 83-896. ISBN 0- 930466-64-0. This collection of six articles is based on presentations given in October 1982 at a conference whose purpose was to exam- ine current and future applications of new technology in the field of documents li- brarianship. The applications discussed include document format, processing, ac- cess, and delivery. Specific examples of each treated in this volume are distribu- tion of material in microform, computer automation, database searching, and vid- eotext and teletext transmission. Chapters 1 and 5 describe trends in doc- uments librarianship and suggest possible approaches for the future. "Exploiting Technology for Government Document Depository Collections: Overview and Strategies," by Charles McClure, de- scribes technologies that are now available and can be applied in documents work. These range from OCLC to computer- based decision support systems. "New Technology and State Government Infor- mation Sources,'' by Terry Weech, argues that as state agencies rely more on data- bases created in-house, the public loses access to government information. Crea- tion of a new profession, "government in- formation specialist,'' is proposed as a possible solution. The remaining four articles focus on specific applications. "The Effects of Technology on Access to Federal Govern- ment Information," by Judy Myers, de- scribes problems created by the increasing movement of the U.S. Government away from information in print format. Of par- ticular interest is her description of the Government Printing Office's change to machine-readable cataloging and the im- pact it has had on access to federal infor- mation. This chapter is must reading for anyone considering the use of GPO tapes. "Attitudes, Resources, and Applications: The Government Documents Librarian and Computer Technology," by Bruce Morton, exhorts documents librarians to begin to employ the tool of computer auto- mation in their work. In ''Online Retrieval of Government Documents Using Tele- text and Videotext Services,'' by Susanna