International Biographical Directory of National Archivists, Documentalists, and Librarians. Edited by Frances Laverne Carroll, and compiled by Susan Houck. Lanham, Md: Scarecrow, 1997. 252p. ISBN 0-8108-3223-2

The goal of this book is “to provide a base for further communication and cooperation among people in national institutions whose efforts are directed to handling information for ... preservation and distribution”. The content and format of the work are intended “to provide a current directory of institutions and their addresses and a well–set–out approach to biographical facts” about the three categories of professionals listed in the title. There is no attempt to describe the collections or services of the institutions. Rather, the concentration is upon who the professionals are, and where they are. The data were collected through a mailed survey, based upon such reference sources as The World of Learning and The Statesman's 'Year–Book. The final date for inclusion was 1 November 1995, and “the final tally of the survey as contained in this publication is 192 countries, 248 biographies, and 205 entries”. In addition to the main entries, the directory includes a Preface, Suggestions for Use, and a list of Abbreviations. The Preface explains the purpose, methodology, and definitions, and describes the survey results, exclusions, and omissions. The Suggestions for Use explain the contents and organization of the directory. The main entries of the directory are arranged alphabetically name of country. For each country, the national archivist, documentalist, and librarian are listed — if they in fact exist. Biographical data are given for each person. There is often a brief summary of the historical development of archives, document centers, and libraries. At the end of the book are indexes of institutions, persons, and places.

Inasmuch as it is the first time such a publication has been attempted, the contents of the directory are unlike those of National Libraries of the World: An Address List or World Guide to Libraries, both of which list mainly the addresses of the libraries included. Nor are they like those of the Biographical Directory of National Librarians or other who's who reference books pertaining to libraries, which provide primarily biographical information about the librarians listed. Nonetheless, these works are cited and must have been consulted by the editor. As the title indicates, the present work may be regarded as a simple who's who of national archivists, documentalists, and librarians, with additional information about the institutions where these professionals work. Indeed, more information is given about the various institutions (such as telephone and fax numbers, and e–mail addresses) than about the personnel.

A quick check shows that Hong Kong and Macao are included in this directory, but Guam, the Republic of Palau, and the Virgin Islands are not. Hong Kong was a British territory and has now returned to China. Macao is a Portuguese territory. Guam and the Virgin Islands are U.S. territories, and Palau is a member of the United Nations. There is no explanation of the basis upon which various territorial entities were included or excluded.

The directory has achieved its primary goal of being “a practical reference tool”. It is therefore recommended for those research and international institutions interested in biographical data on national archivists, documentalists, and librarians, and information about national archives, document centers, and libraries.

Chih Wang is Dean and Professor of Library Science, University of Guam Learning Resources, Guam, U.S.A.

© 1998 Dominican University