Professional Media Reviews, April 15, 2011 

Harvey, Ross. Digital Curation. Neal-Schuman. (How-To-Do-It Manuals). 2010. 225p. illus. index. ISBN 9781555706944. pap. $75. PRO MEDIA
In a world where obsolescence or loss of access to digital content is an ongoing threat, a book on digital curation and data preservation, with updated solutions, should be considered crucial. Harvey (Simmons Graduate Sch. of Library & Information Science) presents a detailed and well-organized look at digital curation practices, as well as a complete description of the curating “lifecycle,” outlining the process in 15 chapters that cover such issues as born-digital material as compared with digitized and unanticipated forms of digital heritage, appraisal and selection of data and digital objects, methods of format migration, and retrieval of data. He stresses the importance of descriptive metadata for assuring discoverability and access. Assuming a future “universal virtual computer,” Harvey explains best practices for long- or short-term curation using existing software. VERDICT Accompanied by a website (www.neal-schuman.com/curation), this work will benefit any librarians, archivists, or other professionals whose work involves preservation of and access to digital material. A valuable update for those who have relied on Paul N. Banks and Roberta Pilette’s Preservation: Issues and Planning.—Lisa Guidarini, Algonquin Area P.L., IL

Honig, Megan. Urban Grit: A Guide to Street Lit. Libraries Unlimited: ABC-CLIO. (Genreflecting Advisory Series). 2010. 253p. bibliog. index. ISBN 9781591588573. $85. PRO MEDIA
Responding to the growth of urban and hip-hop literature known as street lit, Honig (YA collections specialist, NYPL) makes a strong case for its inclusion in library collections. As the first guide to thoroughly present the genre’s defining titles, its 11 chapters are organized by theme or genre, such as “Prison,” “Thrillers,” “Love Stories,” even “Erotica.” Within each chapter, entries are organized by author name, with title, bibliographic data, and succinct plot summaries following. Four appendixes, three featuring valuable core collection suggestions for adult and YA readers, round out the book. An indispensable genre guide, Honig’s book also skillfully broaches the thorny complexities brought by incorporating street lit into conventional library collections. Her shelving recommendations and practical advice for handling patron concerns (e.g., about explicit language) further enhance the book’s value for librarians. VERDICT Recommended for professional reading shelves as well as for researchers who will find value in Honig’s defining the genre. This should be the definitive choice on the subject, with Andrew Ratner’s practical teaching and classroom guide Street Lit: Teaching and Reading Fiction in Urban Schools as a good complement.—Savannah Schroll Guz, formerly with Smithsonian Libs., Washington, DC

Teaching Information Literacy Online. Neal-Schuman. 2011. c.200p. ed. by Thomas P. Mackey & Trudi E. Jacobson. index. ISBN 9781555707354. pap. $75. PRO MEDIA
Courses delivered via an online or hybrid platform are by no means a new concept. From the onset, however, librarians and educators grappled with achieving the same levels of knowledge transfer, critical thinking, and information literacy (IL) as achieved by conventional classroom teaching. Mackey (interim dean, Ctr. for Distance Learning, SUNY Empire State Coll.) and Jacobson (head of user education programs, SUNY at Albany) have assembled a veritable bible on how to do it right by providing eight original models of IL best practices and successful online implementations. The book is organized into two types of learning: “Blended & Hybrid” and “Open & Online,” i.e., a self-paced model integrating IL, communication, and technology. Chapter components include recent or related literature, collaborative efforts between faculty and librarians, impact on student learning, assessment methodologies, and appendixes of any tools (e.g., surveys) used to measure the outcome. VERDICT The cited references alone make this text an invaluable resource for understanding international trends and challenges surrounding online learning at both the graduate and the undergraduate level. Also highly recommended for committees, educators, and administrators tasked with meeting the AACSB, ACRL, and/or Middle States standards for information literacy and accreditation.—Judy Brink-Drescher, Molloy Coll., Rockville Ctr., NY