BOOKS & E-BOOKS

Librarians select books and materials for their collections. 

However, it is up to the individual to determine and scan for relevant information. 

To evaluate the potential usefulness of a book, scan the table of contents and index to see if there is enough on your topic.

 

1. reputation of the author. If you see the author’s name listed several times, it is a good indication the author is an expert
2. the publisher.  A university press publication usually is an indicator of a scholarly work
3. the date of publication if currency of topic is important
4. whether there is a bibliography and footnotes 
5. whether there are subsequent editions.  A book that is republished as a new edition is a good indicator of a classic work.