Reengineering the Library: Issues in Electronic Resources Management. By George Stachokas. Chicago: ALA, 2018. 336 p. Paper $79.00 (ISBN 978-0-8389-1621-6).

The increasing prevalence of electronic resources in academic libraries has forced information professionals to rethink many aspects of library services. The last couple of decades have seen significant updates to national standards of practice and librarian core competencies. This book presents a well-rounded view of the current state of electronic resources management in academic libraries, with chapters covering a wide variety of topics, including discovery, analytics, vendor relations, and departmental reorganization. Even if managing electronic resources is not one of your primary job duties, this book can provide valuable insight into an ever-growing field of librarianship that impacts library service at all levels.

For those new to the world of e-resources management (ERM), this book is an excellent resource for getting started on the cutting edge of e-resources librarianship. While the author sprinkles argon and acronyms throughout the book, the early chapters define each term. A few chapters also provide a historical view of certain standards and practices, offering context for recent changes in the field. Addressing nearly every aspect of ERM, the book acknowledges the jack-of-all-trades nature of being an e-resources librarian (ERL). The numerous skillsets required for effective ERM can sometimes be overwhelming for a new librarian, but this book successfully delineates each area of responsibility with real-world examples.

If you are a seasoned e-resources librarian, this book will present you with many ideas for streamlining workflows and updating procedures to comply with current best practices. Several chapters present case studies and examples of what academic libraries across the country are doing to update their approach to ERM. For example, one chapter covers ack-end techniques regarding licensing, metadata creation, and data collection, and another examines a few specific service and software platforms, such as EBSCO Discovery Service and CORAL. Multiple chapters also discuss the importance of interdepartmental communication and collaboration, particularly between Technical Services and Public Services. Because the technical aspects of electronic collections and their access platforms are in constant flux, there is an ever-increasing need for continuous e-resources training among staff. When library staff across multiple departments are able to navigate and troubleshoot issues effectively, this can have a considerable positive impact on the experience of end users.

This book illustrates why effective management of electronic resources is a vital component of quality library service. With content from a variety of experts working in academic libraries across the United States and Canada, George Stachokas has compiled a superb resource on this topic of librarianship.—Casey Lowry, Collection Services Librarian, East Central University, Ada, Oklahoma