International and Comparative Librarianship: Concepts and Methods for Global Studies

By Peter Johan Lor
ISBN: 978-3-11-026791-4 (hardback),
978-3-11-026799-0 (ebook/PDF),
978-3-11- 039584-6 (EPUB)
Published: 2019
Pages: 905
Price: $80.99 (all versions)
Available from: De Gruyter, Genthiner Strasse 12, D-10785 Berlin, Germany;
degruyter.com/viewbooktoc/product/179443?rskey=Yiexo0
Reviewed by Marydee Ojala

South African librarian and educator Peter Lor has been writing this monumental book, part of IFLA’s series on Global Studies in Libraries and Information and published by De Gruyter, for 10 years. Full disclosure: Peter and I worked on an IFLA standing committee for several years.

The book is divided into four parts: Concepts, Method, Political Economy, and Influence. In Concepts, Lor reviews the increasing interest of library science researchers on international librarianship and how it has developed into a standalone field of study. His discussion on the need for a theoretical underpinning may be a bit too academic for some readers. The Method section introduces the many methods that can be used in academic research into international librarianship and how to choose the best strategy, procedures, techniques, and instruments.

The Political Economy part the book recognizes the importance of government policies on libraries and is a sweeping overview of political economics, not only as it applies to libraries, but also to society as a whole. He considers nongovernmental agencies, trade agreements, intellectual property, open access, and global information flows. Influence is perhaps the most interesting section, as it stresses both the similarities and differences among libraries worldwide. Cultural borrowing and the spread of innovation from one country to another raise many philosophical questions. Lor finds it unfortunate that the study of international and comparative librarianship has fallen out of favor.

This is not a book to be read cover to cover. The extensive bibliography and index simplify the ability to quickly delve into whatever is of interest at the time. Although the price is reasonable for such a large book, it’s likely to be of limited interest outside of library schools. And that’s a shame, because it’s readable, comprehensive, and fascinating.