Foundations Series
ALA Neal-Schuman's Foundations series is an ongoing collection of texts designed to introduce key concepts in librarianship to library and information science students. Each volume is available in e-book format for libraries and individuals through aggregators and other distributors—ask your current vendor or contact us for more information. Examination copies are available for instructors who are interested in adopting titles for course use.
"The text and the references give readers a strong grounding in theories of intellectual freedom to make decisions for themselves.”
— College & Research Libraries
Cooke’s important text, suitable for both graduate and undergraduate courses as well as current practitioners, outlines and examines the components of social justice that are most compelling and relevant for the library and information professions.
"This is one of the best library and information science books that I have read in years. The authors cover a huge amount of theoretical and practical ground very successfully."
— Journal of the Australian Library and Information Association
Learning the basic concepts of information law and the many legal concepts that come into play in the field of librarianship can seem like an overwhelming endeavor. Drawing upon the authors’ unique backgrounds in both law and librarianship, this text is designed to empower readers to understand, rather than be intimidated by, the law. It melds essential context, salient examples of best practices, and stimulating discussions to illuminate numerous key legal and social issues directly related to the information professions. Helping readers better understand the role of law in their work, this primer
- discusses information law as part of a continuum of interrelated issues rather than an assortment of discrete topics;
- examines information law in the context of different types of libraries;
- delves into the manifold legal issues raised when interacting with patrons and communities, from intellectual freedom topics like censorship and public activities in the library to the legal issues surrounding materials and information access;
- elucidates operational and management legal issues, including library security, interacting with law enforcement, advocacy, lobbying, funding, human resources, and liability;
- promotes literacy of the law, its structures, and its terminology as a professional skill;
- gives readers the tools to find and understand different sources of legal authority and demonstrates how to interpret them when they conflict; and
- explores information law as a national and cross-national issue.
Spanning all types of libraries, from public to academic, school, and special, this matchless text illuminates the major facets of LIS for students as well as current professionals.
"Useful for an introductory level ethics and information course, or an additional text in a foundations course in LIS."
— Journal of the Association for Information Science and Technology
"Rich in reflections on the roles and duties of information professionals in ensuring democratic order of information, human rights and equality of all information users."
— Information Research
