Booking it!

L to R, librarian Gayl Gray works with SCD's Fred Clare, Herb Poppe, and Richard Valent to evaluate new acquisitions for the NCAR library.

Fred, Herb, and Richard, along with representatives from other NCAR divisions, are members of the NCAR Book Selection Committee, periodically poring through stacks of information on books that might be considered for the library. They analyze the material, often checking with colleagues or doing research on the web, to determine which volumes might be appropriate for the NCAR community. Fred, a software engineer, and Herb, a systems administrator, review books on computing topics, while math librarian Richard reviews books on mathematics.

Gayl and NCAR librarians Judy Dayhoff and Leslie Forehand recently conducted a survey of NCAR employees to learn what topics and developing scientific trends are of current interest to the community. With the data they received, along with new procedures in place for obtaining regular feedback -- plus continuing assistance from Book Selection Committee members like Fred, Herb, and Richard -- the NCAR library provides the most relevant and up-to-date publications for its users.

Photo: Lynda Lester/SCD