Q:  As an Education subject specialist contributing to the new Resources for College Libraries, what aspect of education publishing do you feel has changed
the most since 1988?

A:  Technology has had the greatest impact in education, although there are so many social issues that affect education it is hard to narrow down to a single issue. The introduction and extensive use of computers and the Internet for everything from distance education classes to testing and record keeping within education would be my top choice, however.

Q:  There have been so many technology advances since 1988, how has
this impacted the material published on education?

A:  Technological advances have affected education in terms of the ability to locate more resources through the Internet and databases, the ability to produce more education information efficiently, and the ability to communicate learning concepts through distance education and other mechanisms. Technology has had a huge impact on education (as it has with most fields) and one of the ongoing concerns in education is that there is educational equity for those having easy access to computers and technology and those that do not. The “digital divide” is a very real concern to educators.

A:  One of the interesting areas that is booming in education is the area of gaming. Gaming as an educational tool is not a new idea, but the appeal of video and computer gaming to the current generation of students has made it a much stronger focus of publishers and researchers.

Q:  Would you consider any one major advancement in the field of
education as standing out above the rest?

A:  Education is such a diverse field, ranging from early childhood education to post-graduate studies, and from art education to science education that it is difficult to identify one major advancement. One of the major strengths of the field is its student-centered focus. I think that the field’s dedication to providing quality education to students of all backgrounds is admirable.

Q:  How many new subject categories, would you guess, have evolved
under the heading of education since 1988?

A:  Lots! The introduction of new theories, technology, new initiatives, and so on has created many, many new subject categories.

Q:  What are the challenges that you face tackling such a
high-growth segment of academic literature?

A:  Trying to meet the needs of the students and faculty on our campus with their very diverse interests in education and with the limited funding that most libraries face is an incredible challenge. Remaining aware of the needs of our library users is very challenging when there are hundreds of students, many of them with competing interests. Just when you think you have a handle on building a solid collection in a particular area, you discover that everyone is focused on a new topic such as educational computer gaming. Thank goodness for email and group lists that allow consulting with large groups of students and faculty in an efficient way!

Q:  Can you give us 3 must-have titles that you feel every library
should carry in this subject?

A:  These are my picks from a traditional library perspective. I haven’t provided the provocative titles that occur cyclically and then fall into disfavor. Every library should have a good encyclopedia, dictionary and source of statistics. For education my top three are the following:

• The Encyclopedia of Education, 2003 (Gale)
• The Greenwood Dictionary of Education, 2003 (Greenwood)
• The Digest of Education Statistics
  (published annually by the National Center for Education Statistics)

Q:  What has this project brought to you, personally and/or
professionally, that you did not anticipate?

A:  Working with a great group of education subject specialists and my co-editor, Kate Corby, has been a very rewarding experience. I believe my horizons have been expanded by looking at book and Web recommendations from these respected colleagues. And I know that my library’s collections will be expanded by some of the titles that I’ve seen that weren’t already part of our collection.

Q:  What is your favorite ice cream flavor?

A:  Peanut Butter 'n Chocolate.

Q:  Where did you go to library school?

A:  University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Q:  How many titles have been selected thus far for your subject area?

A:  The subject selectors for the education area have selected nearly 1,500 titles. Kate Corby and I have reviewed all of these selections and will likely add a few additional items before the project reaches its initial publication deadline.

RETURN TO ADVISOR INTERVIEWS PAGE