Gisolfi, Peter. Collaborative Library Design: From Planning to Impact. ALA. Jun. 2018. 146p. photos. index. ISBN 9780838917176. pap. $74.99. PRO MEDIA
With more than 40 years of acclaimed library projects in his portfolio, architect Gisolfi ( Finding the Place of Architecture in the Landscape) ably conveys the importance of two-way communication throughout the planning and construction process. Presenting ten handsomely illustrated case studies—five public, five school or academic—Gisolfi demonstrates best practices for architects and stakeholders to work together on successful renovations. This book takes readers through the life cycle of featured projects, from initial challenges through brainstorming and design to the assessment of the finished building. Each chapter contains three essays: input from an administrator or board member involved in planning, with basic tips for successful teamwork; the architect’s evaluation of the project’s needs; and a staff member’s appraisal of the completed job’s strengths and weaknesses. While projects don’t include a range of economic variables or community types—all are financially stable East Coast institutions—the challenges run the gamut from severe space limitations to irregular site constraints to requirements for visual stylistic consistency while meeting 21st-century usage needs.
VERDICT A solid starting point for those considering a library renovation or shopping for design services—or simply imagining the possibilities.—Lisa Peet, Library Journal

Mooradian, Norman A. Ethics for Records and Information Management. ALA. Oct. 2018. 191p. bibliog. index. ISBN 9780838916391. pap. $75. PRO MEDIA
The workplace brings together people with different moral value systems and personal experiences that shape their views of right and wrong. The well-being of individuals and organizations is vulnerable to the ethical standards upheld or violated by those with access to sensitive information. Mooradian (senior solutions analyst, Konica Minolta) provides a solid framework of professional ethics that addresses a variety of records and information management issues, including confidentiality, conflicts of interest, intellectual property, privacy, and whistle-blowing. Case studies range from in-house employee performance reviews to the global debate about the actions of Edward Snowden. Sean Valentine’s Organizational Ethics and Stakeholder Well-Being in the Business Environment is a more general look at ethical leadership, decision-making, and the social responsibility of organizations.
VERDICT Managers, records management staff, and personnel evaluation committees will find this book of value when creating policies and procedures and developing training programs for fair and responsible information management.—Betty J. Glass, emerita, Univ. of Nevada Lib., Reno

Ryan, Heather & Walker Sampson. The No-Nonsense Guide to Born Digital Content. Facet. Jun. 2018. 240p. illus. bibliog. index. ISBN 9781783301959. pap. $54.95. PRO MEDIA
Although the term born-digital content (referring to emails, Facebook posts, and other content that originates digitally) has been around for 25 years, only in the last eight to ten years has it come into prominence. Ryan (faculty director, special collections, archives & preservation, Univ. of Colorado Boulder Libs.) and Sampson (digital archivist, special collections & archives, Univ. of Colorado Boulder Libs.) offer an easy-to-understand yet comprehensive work. Though the topic is complex, the lucid writing will resonate with newcomers. In addition to the basics, the authors discuss the selection and acquisition of content, how to describe the material, and how to preserve, store and provide access to the collection. Appendix A lists relevant books, journals, technical registries, and websites, while Appendix B contains basic UNIX command line prompts. A glossary and a list of abbreviations are included, and chapters provide further reading.
VERDICT With little else on the subject, this superb work fills a gap. Especially helpful to new librarians and/or archivists, educators, and students interested in managing born-digital content.—Susan E. Ketcham, Long Island Univ. Post Lib., Brookville, NY

These reviews originally appeared in Library Journal's November 15, 2018, issue.