The Emerald Handbook of Modern Information Management is an impressive and authoritative work. Its two editors, James Matarazzo and Toby Pearlstein, are both highly experienced practitioners and theorists.   The work intends to capture both the essence and the best practice within the increasingly growing and complex world of information management.

 

 

The editors state that whether read sequentially or in topical combinations around common themes, the chapters in this book are meant to provide a construct through which both the practitioner and the student may learn about the major challenges facing them, and also find guidance on how to approach those challenges regardless of the type of organisation in which they work.

To achieve this end, the editors have gathered together 38 high quality submissions from experts mainly in the USA and the UK to create an essential tool for anyone seriously involved in the management of information.  We are talking about a wide-ranging book, one for people working in public, academic, government and special libraries and information centres. By including all types of libraries from a variety of places, the editors hope to foster the cross-pollination of ideas and practices.

This is a big book; it runs to nearly 900 pages and it is expensive at £150 (lighter and slightly less expensive in the Kindle version), but it is easy to use.   It is a must-have tool whoever you are and whatever you are doing in the information field.  It is up-to-date, the structure is clear and flows well, there is a comprehensive and useable index and plenty of references for further reading.

I could go on describing this major contribution to the literature in our field, but instead I will direct you to the review that Helen Edwards, editor of K&IM Refer, wrote in the Autumn 2018 issue (https://referisg.wordpress.com/) .  Read Helen’s article and you will understand completely why The Emerald Handbook of Modern Information Management, published by Emerald Press is essential for anyone seriously involved in the management of information, and why it is awarded the K&IM Information Resources Print Award for 2018.

At the Awards Ceremony on 12^thDecember 2018, Stephen Phillips and three other UK-based contributors accepted the award on behalf of all the writers and the Emerald Press.

The Emerald Handbook of Modern Information Managementwas undoubtedly THE BOOK to win the Award, but mention must be made of two of the other titles nominated:

Britain’s 100 Best Railway Stationsby Simon Jenkins, published by Viking Press, and A History of Children’s Books in 100 Booksby Roderick Cave and Sara Ayad, published by The British Library are both examples of superbly produced books.

Apart from devotees of their subjects, both books will have a limited use within the knowledge and information world, but they do show how information can be made available both attractively and economically – both cost just £25.  The judging panel thought their value should be acknowledged.

 

K&IM Refer 35(1), Winter 2019