ASSOCIATES (vol. 4, no. 1, July 1997) - associates.ucr.edu
_The Library Paraprofessional: Notes from the Underground_ by Terry Rodgers McFarland & Co. Recommended Audiences: Anyone interested in the field. Should be required reading for all Library Directors, Librarians and, of course, Library Support Staff. The book addresses many of the topics of concern to library paraprofessionals. First, the history and development of paraprofessionals in the library are covered. Rodgers then explores how the position became a woman's job, and includes management issues. She then discusses burnout--a major problem in the field. She also remarks on other major issues: sick buildings, unions, and associations and how paraprofessionals are involved. Then, Rodgers gets to the hot topic: library paraprofessionals and the M.L.S. degree. The appendix contains two interviews that give insight into understanding what paraprofessionals must deal with. Rodgers' book is unlike others about the library field. She doesn't cloud issues. Problems common to paraprofessionals are explored, giving fair and accurate pictures. This work can truly be called "Notes from the Underground," as it discusses many issues that have not been noted before as a whole. Thanks, Terry Rodgers, for writing this book.