Reader’s Roundup: Monographic Musings & Reference Reviews

Column Editor: Corey Seeman (Director, Kresge Library Services, Ross School of Business, University of Michigan) Visit him at https://www.squirreldude.com/

Column Editor’s Note: Late last year, I very much enjoyed being at the Charleston Conference and talking about books, journals, databases, patron needs, patron wants, and the building blocks that we assemble for our communities. It was my first in-person Charleston since 2019 — and only my third since taking over this column. Being in this role is a bit surreal at times. I need to remove my business librarian hat and put on one that is larger and seeks out to cover more topics and needs. And when you factor in how to spread money around to get a strong collection, you realize how difficult our work is year in and year out. So one of the things that we rely on is the advice of colleagues who can really provide a deep dive into a book or a database or a whatever. Bringing this to the library community is really a privilege and a joy for me (and I hope) our reviewers.

Ever since I returned to Michigan, I have been thinking a great deal about our professional gatherings. Well, to be fair, the rest of what is going on in the world leaves me little to be happy about. Almost nothing good happened over the last few months … well, except Michigan beat Ohio State 13-10 IN COLUMBUS. I do not know if you saw that game or not — but it was literally the only good thing that I can recall happening recently … maybe something else will come to me.

SO ANYWAY … our annual gatherings at Charleston or at ACRL, ALA, etc. allows us to learn about what is new in the world and what might look great on our physical or ethereal bookcases. I guess the fun part about this gig as column editor is that I get to enjoy the wonder that is walking around the vendor exhibits for practically the entire year. Though to be fair, the giveaways are not as sweet when I am at home on my laptop.

One of the real challenges of people charged with assembling collections is that you want items to be used and useful. That is why we are doing this work. We might rely on services to help select books and resources — but fundamentally, we need to understand the value that each of these items has and how it fits into the whole. We want to buy stuff that is useful. But will everything fit that bill? This is where you cannot just toss your decision to an AI bot — but explore what your library needs.

As we think about the items we select, we often get excited about the usage statistics or circulation stats for popular items. But not everything is going to fit that bill. Afterall, our libraries are filled to the brim with resources that we use sparingly, but are still important. Maybe it is the topic that is not as commonly studied by your community. Maybe the work goes into greater detail than members of your community might need. That does not make these resources any less valuable to our identity and our collection, but it does make you wonder if you chose wisely.

So lets get to the picture of my Ginger — seemingly enjoying a bit of a cashmere scarf that my wife uses when we travel. This is a wonderful light scarf that is perfect for trips, but almost never gets used the rest of the year. So as we are getting ready for a trip ourselves, it was placed in the suitcase. But it appears to be our cat’s favorite article of her clothing. Three times this week, we found it pulled out of the suitcase and on the floor. It was not until we caught Ginger in the act (actually biting the scarf) that we realized it was her. And she was the one that we called the good one.

But this is relevant because my wife does not use it most of the year — probably 49 or 50 weeks. But still, it is something that both my wife and my cat Ginger need from time to time. So there might be items in your collection that are only used once or twice in a while — but when they are used, they are critically important … or delicious … hard to know which sometimes.

We have four books reviewed here — two monographs on the profession and two reference works. The two monographs are from Rowman & Littlefield, and I am trying to branch out and get more publishers for our column. The books are focused on library accessibility, a very important topic for librarians and academics, and the future of libraries — assuming we make it to 2035. Hard to tell right now. The reference works address Women’s History and Treason. Ugh … now I am thinking about the election again….

Special thanks to our reviewers who take the time to explore these works to see if they are appropriate for libraries. Special thanks to my reviewers for this issue: Heather Cyre (University of Washington Bothell), Mary Jo Orzech (SUNY Brockport), Julie Huskey (Tennessee State University), and Jennifer Matthews (Rowan University).

As always, I want to thank them for bringing this column together.

If you would like to be a reviewer for Against the Grain, please write me at . If you are a publisher and have a book you would like to see reviewed in a future column, please also write me directly. You can also find out more about the Reader’s Roundup here — https://www.squirreldude.com/ atg-readers-roundup

Happy reading and be nutty! — Corey

Defining Documents in World History: Treason. Edited by Steven L. Danver. Ipswich, Mass: Grey House 2024. 9781637007600 (set), 2 volumes. $295.00

Reviewed by Julie Huskey (Head of Cataloging and Coordinator of Government Documents, Tennessee State University, BrownDaniel Library, Nashville)

“Treasonous acts serve as critical junctures in history, often catalyzing significant changes in legal and societal structures” (xi) says editor Steven L. Danver (Ph.D. in American history from the University of Utah and a prolific author and editor in history and social sciences). Laws are passed, symbols are created, and new societal and political movements are started by evident betrayals.

The majority of entries are authored by Danver, but twentyfour others, approximately half of whom have a Ph.D. or J.D., also contribute articles.

The entries cover a broad range of situations: they concern accusations of treason, legislation about treason, or events that were suspected of being treasonous (the last category, for instance, includes the 1939 German-American Bund “Free America” rally in Madison Square Garden, which, while not technically treasonous, represented an extremely unpopular view). The selections are indicative of a breach of perceived trust by the rulers, or of disobedience by the ruled. The articles in the set range chronologically from the English Treason Act of 1351 to the Resolution Establishing the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6 Attack on the U.S. The bulk of the documents are from the United States, but a few other nations are represented: in addition to the English Treason Act, the Freedom Charter of South Africa, a leaflet from the White Rose movement of Nazi Germany, and the Manifesto of the Paris Commune are reprinted. Earlier entries are more likely, the editors say, to involve religion.

The format is similar to that of other works in the series. Each of five sections — “Treason and the Law,” “Treason in Wartime,” “Treason and Espionage,” “Treason and Ideology,” and “Treason and Insurrection” — has an approximately onepage introduction; the discussion of the documents themselves, which are not in chronological order, follow. Each document is summarized and set in historical context, along with a short paragraph about its author. The document (or a long excerpt) then appears, with a few glossary terms, and a one- to three-page analysis. Public-domain illustrations, primarily from Wikimedia Commons, are intelligently chosen, and they also keep the layout from becoming too dry.

The authors also point out the difficulties of defining treason in a globalized, technology-heavy world; when some people have dual citizenship, and communication technologies have offices in multiple countries, jurisdiction is more complicated. Danver also points out modern democracies’ challenge of preserving civil liberties while maintaining national security.

Although coverage of most of the events is available elsewhere, the commentary is generally solid. There are a few minor mistakes; for instance, the entry for Gillars v. United States (271- 279) says “Mildred Gillars, [was] known as ‘Axis Sally’” (271), not indicating that the nickname was given to a number of women radio personalities. Sometimes the glossary terms — such as “revolution,” “KGB,” and “civil liberties” — are so basic as to suggest a younger audience, but the definitions are carefully placed within the context of the work.

Despite these caveats, the set is a thought-provoking supplement to research, particularly for high school or lowerdivision undergraduate students.

ATG Reviewer Rating: I need this available somewhere in my shared network. (I probably do not need this book, but it would be nice to get it within three to five days via my network catalog.)

Great Events from History: Women’s History. Ipswich, MA: Salem Press, 2022. 9781637000991. $225.00

Reviewed by Jennifer Matthews (Head, Collection Services, Rowan University)

History is an area where many aspects can be gathered and traced, leading someone down the proverbial rabbit hole on any topic. Finding reputable resources for students to consult as a starting point for research on topics is becoming more challenging each year in this age of internet prowess. Series and volumes such as those contained within the Great Events catalog at least ensure that the researcher knows the information is from reputable sources, with lists of further reading and additional essays to consult on topics.

The current volume, Great Events from History: Women’s History , is a brand-new addition to the Great Events series, which includes around 300 essays on a wide range of topics in this area. The timeframe for inclusion in this two-volume set spans over four thousand years — ranging from 2300 BCE to 2021. Entries have been sorted into categories based on the nature of the event, including a description, summary, and significance of the event, keywords, and byline of the contributor. Events have been separated into fourteen distinct topic areas spread across the set, which ranges from activism or education to the workplace or the monarchy.

The articles are easily approachable, beginning with the event’s summary, date, and locale, followed by the significance. Most articles are around a single page in length. Events from the current era (e.g., Obergefell v. Hodges: The United States Supreme Court Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage) will occasionally be articles of multiple pages and contain insets with information about the legal case, as in this instance.

One limitation of a reference work such as this is that the publication has a cut-off before a significant recent event. In this case, the volumes do not mention the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022 or Vice President Kamala Harris’s 2024 candidacy for the presidency. While all publications must choose a date to end their data collection, knowing where these significant events end will help those who refer students to this work, and will help when receiving questions from those using the item. Since the set is available electronically, perhaps the editor and publisher will update it soon to account for these two events and others that have happened since the work was published.

ATG Reviewer Rating: I need this available somewhere in my shared network. (I probably do not need this book, but it would be nice to get it within three to five days via my network catalog.)

Hirsh, Sandra (Ed.). Library 2035: Imagining the Next Generation of Libraries. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield, 2024. 9781538180396, 223 pages. $85 hardback, $35 paperback, $33 eBook.

Reviewed by Mary Jo Orzech (Scholarly Communications Librarian, Drake Memorial Library, SUNY Brockport)

Library 2035: Imagining the Next Generation of Libraries builds on a rich history of writing about the future of libraries, and challenges its readers to peer into a future that is only a brief decade away. The book adeptly captures this topic through twenty-five short chapters organized into six themes of Landscape, Community, Equity and Inclusion, Organizations, Workers, and Vision that resonate especially well in today’s world. Editor Sandra Hirsh has an extensive, well-regarded background as a library and information science educator, researcher and professional that make her well-suited for this work. Hirsh provides an intentional nod to the past while inviting some of the best thinking of twenty-nine current library leaders to provide their predictions about libraries of the nottoo distant future.

The opening Landscape chapters by library notables, including Joseph Janes, Jason Griffey, Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, Erin Berman, and Chris Brown, provide background and context for the chapters that follow. They are even-handed in outlining both perceptions and the reality that libraries are facing in increasingly complex environments. Berman’s speculative scenario related to libraries teetering on the edge of the trust cliff presents a particularly thought-provoking allegory.

The theme of Community is well-developed and skillfully woven throughout the book. It is specifically highlighted in chapters by David Lankes, Anthony Chow, Patty Wong, and Lynn Silipigni Connaway. The Equity and Inclusion chapters provide a critical lens for today as well as the future, and are represented by authors Nicole Cooke, Veronda Pitchford and Annie Norman. Alexia Hudson-Ward addresses the topic as it relates to academic libraries while Joyce Valenza and Debra Kachel focus on school libraries.

The Organizations theme addresses demographic growth and change (Kelvin Watson), while Raymond Pun and Tarida Anantachai zoom in on research and academic libraries, Peter Hepburn focuses on community college libraries, and Ewa Zwiedzic-Elliott describes school libraries in New Jersey.

The Library Workers chapters emphasize the care needed in supporting and promoting library work that can sometimes be unseen or undervalued by the public. More specifically, K. Matthew Dames and Tony Zanders shine a light on the Library CEO, Loida Garcia-Febo discusses worker wellness and Stacey Aldrich and Jarrid Keller provide a glimpse into future library job descriptions. The final Vision theme challenges us to think ahead to the future that we want to see for libraries and the world. It includes compelling chapters by Joel A. Nichols, Miguel Figueroa and Lessa Kanani’opua Pelayo-Lozada, Susan W. Alman, and editor Sandra Hirsch.

The multiple perspectives and voices of the strong list of library authors involved bring a fresh sense of contemporary urgency to keep the reader engaged, and at times, amused, worried and concerned. While not the only hot button issue included, artificial intelligence is mentioned by several authors, and at least one imaginative chapter freely admits to the use of engineered prompts and the author’s reaction to responses generated by ChatGPT (Chow).

Calls to action echo loudly in several chapters concerning libraries’ roles in diversity and inclusion, sustainability, literacy, as well as the larger umbrella related to the promotion of civic ideals. The chapters exhort readers to underscore today’s library decision-making with a clear-eyed understanding of how choices made in 2025 will set the tone and tenor for the future of library place-making, staffing, community building, collections, programs and more.

The inclusion of a Library 2035 Webcast hosted by Sandra Hirsh, editor, is a thoughtful and welcome addition that enriches the book’s written words (please visit: https://sites.google.com/ sjsu.edu/library2035/home). Featuring interviews with many of the contributing authors, the webcast complements the book and provides additional insight into the authors’ thoughts about libraries in 2035.

ATG Reviewer Rating: I need this on my desk. (This book is so valuable, that I want my own copy at my desk that I will share with no one.)

Vincent, Jane. Making the Library Accessible for All: a Practical Guide for Librarians. Lanham, Maryland: Rowman & Littlefield, 2024. 978-1-5381-7681-8, 179 pages. $65.00.

Reviewed by Heather Cyre (Director of Public Services, University of Washington Bothell & Cascadia College Campus Library, University of Washington Bothell, Bothell)

Libraries of every variety have an obligation, both legally and professionally, to provide an accessible environment for all individuals. However, it can be challenging for library staff or administrators to know where to begin evaluating, remediating, and creating accessible spaces, services, and web presences. Making the Library Accessible for All is a concise yet thorough guide to approaching and improving library accessibility and universal access for librarians new to the profession or those seeking to refresh their knowledge and familiarity.

Updated from the 2014 publication, this book is divided into eight easily digestible chapters, each exploring a specific area of accessibility: communications, collections, physical environments, events and exhibits, technology, and websites. The concluding chapter provides an overview for navigating conversations with library administration about implementing accessibility needs and making accessibility a part of the library’s ongoing infrastructure and budgeting processes. Each

chapter includes background information on the specific topic, applicable regulations or guidelines, and suggested starting points for implementing change. The author concludes each chapter with interviews with various librarians and other experts in the field that offer innovative approaches, personal experiences, and effective and innovative accessibility strategies. Additionally, the Key Points section provides a brief review of the information presented and main takeaways while the Resources section supplies ready starting points for further topic exploration.

Jane Vincent is the assistive technology manager for ITS (Information & Technology Services) at the University of Michigan. Vincent has presented on the topics of accessibility, assistive technology, and universal access at several professional conferences, and has also authored the related titles Implementing Cost-Effective Assistive Computer Technology: A How-to-do-it Manual for Librarians (2012) and A Guide for Digital Assistive Technology Provision to Postsecondary Students (2021).

Of particular note are the chapters on technology accessibility and web accessibility. In chapter six, Vincent provides guidance on identifying potential barriers to current library technology and understanding the legality of providing assistive technology and accommodations. Moreover, the author offers an introduction to the variety of approaches that incorporate assistive technology to support those with visual, audio, dexterity, or neurodivergent disabilities.

Chapter seven addresses web accessibility. Notably the longest chapter in the book should be of significant consideration following the Department of Justice’s final rule in updating its regulations for Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This rule sets specific requirements for web and mobile app accessibility for state and local government entities. Vincent summarizes the principles and standards of website accessibility outlined in the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) as well as recent updates to the required criteria for Level A, AA, and AAA compliance. Vincent also reviews other federal guidelines and standards applicable to web accessibility, including the Americans with Disabilities Act. Although the Department of Justice’s final rule regarding Title II of the ADA was published in April 2024, presumably after the publication of this book, Vincent offers detailed strategies for evaluating web accessibility and establishing an achievable website design or redesign process that aims to comply with WCAG’s Level A and Level AA, the de facto standard for providing an accessible website.

From cover to cover, this book provides valuable starting points to examine, address, and promote accessibility throughout library services, resources, community engagement, and physical and digital spaces.

ATG Reviewer Rating: I need this on my desk. (This book is so valuable, that I want my own copy at my desk that I will share with no one.)

Guide to the ATG Reviewer Ratings

The ATG Reviewer Rating is being included for each book reviewed. Corey came up with this rating to reflect our collaborative collections and resource sharing means and thinks it will help to classify the importance of these books.

• I need this book on my nightstand. (This book is so good, that I want a copy close at hand when I am in bed.)

• I need this on my desk. (This book is so valuable, that I want my own copy at my desk that I will share with no one.)

• I need this in my library. (I want to be able to get up from my desk and grab this book off the shelf, if it’s not checked out.)

• I need this available somewhere in my shared network. (I probably do not need this book, but it would be nice to get it within three to five days via my network catalog.)

• I’ll use my money elsewhere. (Just not sure this is a useful book for my library or my network.)

Ginger is honestly a sweet cat — so we think. Taken in Ypsilanti, Michigan