Neal-Schuman Publishers, Inc.

 

Lester and Koehler have vastly revised and expanded this brand new edition of the first textbook geared towards undergraduate information studies to approach the field from a multidisciplinary perspective.

The book's fourteen chapters begin with "The Impact of Information in Society" and "Fundamental Concepts of Information"; look at "The Information Professions" and "The Impact of Information Cultures and Societies"; and conclude with "Information Ethics" and "Information Futures." Appropriate emphasis is placed throughout on the history and development of information technology.

Every chapter has been thoroughly updated and revised. Expansions include two whole new chapters, one on user behavior and the second on information, power, and society; five other chapters have been substantially expanded. In addition, the authors have added two new features: "A Learning Guide" precedes each chapter and an "nformation Idea" draws attention to the application of the chapter's concepts in the real world.

 "Extremely current and well-written....It would prove useful for undergraduate and graduate students as well as general readers interested in these important topics."
-- ARBA, Vol 39, 2008
 
"An updated, near-canonical array of core concepts in an accessible fashion, aimed at both undergraduate and graduate students..."
-- Journal of the American Society of Information Science and Technology, February 2009
 
"Debates on copyright and privacy issues, as well as intellectual property, are covered in depth."
-- Computers in Libraries, November/December 2007
 

June Lester is a Professor in the University of Oklahoma School of Library and Information Studies, where she has been on faculty since 1993, serving from 1993 to 2000 as Director of the School. Prior to joining the OU faculty Lester was Associate Dean, School of Library and Information Sciences, University of North Texas, 1991-1993, and Director, Office for Accreditation, American Library Association, 1987-1991. Before that she was Associate Professor, Division of Library and Information Management, Emory University. She holds the B.A. and the M.Ln. from Emory University and the C.A.L. and D.L.S. from Columbia University. She teaches graduate courses in the foundations of information studies and user information behavior and the introduction to the information environment for the Bachelor of Arts in Information Studies degree. Special areas of interest include education for library and information studies, distance education, and information policy.

Lester served as Treasurer of the American Society for Information Science and Technology in 2004-2007 and as President of the Association for Library and Information Science Education (ALISE) in 1995-1996. Other professional activities have included two terms on the ALISE Board of Directors, a term on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Education for Library and Information Science, membership on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Academic Librarianship, various positions in the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation (1987-1991), membership on the ALA Committee on Accreditation (1985-1987), service as an external review panel chair for the Committee on Accreditation, chair of the ALA Office for Library Personnel Resources Advisory Committee (1996-1998), and a term on the ALA Council (1986-1987). In the American Society for Information Science and Technology she served three terms as chair of the Information Science Education Committee (2000-2003) and also served on the Technical Program Committee and chaired several award juries.

Wallace C. Koehler, Jr., is Director and Professor in the Department of Information Studies at Valdosta State University, Valdosta, Georgia. Prior to moving to VSU in 2001, he was Assistant Professor on the faculty at the University of Oklahoma School of Library and Information Studies (1998-2001). He has taught in the areas of government, politics, foreign policy, and international law at the University of Tennessee, Vanderbilt University, Maryville College, and Temple University. His other experience includes work as a senior researcher and consultant for Information International Associates; as staff associate of Aspen Systems Corporation Applied Management Sciences Division; as head of the Technology and Policy Assessment Division of the Center for Energy and Environment Research, University of Puerto Rico; and as assistant director for Policy Analysis and International Studies at the University of Tennessee Energy, Environment and Resources Center. He holds the Ph.D. and MA in government from Cornell University, an MA in political science and an MS in information science from the University of Tennessee. He teaches in the areas of foundations of information studies, government information sources, online searching, public libraries, information ethics, information policy, research methods, and web organization. His areas of research include bibliometrics, professional and information ethics, and webmetrics.

Koehler is active in committee service in IFLA, ALA, and ALISE and serves on the editorial boards of the Journal of Internet Cataloging, CyberMetrics, and Information Research. He is an External Examiner for the East African School of Library and Information Science, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda and a member of the University of Tennessee School of Information Sciences Advisory Board. In 2004-07 he chaired both the Lowndes County Library Board and the Southeast Georgia Library Board.

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