Hay, Deltina. The Social Media Survival Guide: Strategies, Tactics, and Tools for Succeeding in the Social Web.

2nd edition. Quill Driver Books. 2011. c456p. illus. appendices. CDROM. index. ISBN 978-1-884995-70-5. $24.

Today it is not enough to have a business email address and website. While content still matters, it is only part of the equation. It takes the power of social media to revolutionize your business and leverage it for success by interacting, sharing, and collaborating in the Social Web. (p. 21) How do you harness this force in the Social Web without completely wasting your time? In this major revision of her previous book, entitled A Survival Guide to Social Media and Web 2.0 Optimization, Hay (graduate education in computer science, applied mathematics, and psychology; President, Dalton Publishing; Owner, PLUMB Web Solutions and Social Media Power; Deltina.com, PlumbSocial.com; Socialmediapower.com), a writer, publisher, veteran Web developer, and pioneer of social media and Web 2.0, presents a no- nonsense, hands- on, nuts- and- bolts, real- world, practical guide to successfully building and optimizing your presence in the Social Web by means of social media strategies and tactics, social media plans, RSS feeds, blogs, WordPress websites, podcasts, vidcasts, webcasts, social networks, micro- blogs, social bookmarking, crowd- sourcing, media communities, widgets, badges, social media newsrooms, social tools, and more. Each chapter is generously- illustrated with numerous, pertinent screenshots of the strategies, tactics, and tools set forth by the author. Not intending her publication to be about social media marketing or web tools, Hay conceived this resource in terms of the goal of helping readers build a solid foundation in the Social Web using Web 2.0 tools that have weathered the social media storm. (p. 22) After reading chapters 1 and 2, which discuss creating a social media strategy and preparing for it, readers can read the various chapters on an as- needed basis or the entire book. While the majority of the fifteen chapters cover social media tools and services--not limited to Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Delicious, Digg, Flickr, YouTube, Scripd, and SlideShare—as they relate to the author’s goal, the final three chapters address pulling it all together, looking to the future of the Social Web, and measuring your success in the Social Web. Four appendices and a companion resource CDROM supplement and complement Hay’s text. Of interest to do-it-yourselfers, small business owners, independent professionals, authors, publishers, marketers, PR professionals, students, and anyone who needs to grow his or her presence in the Social Web, this nicely- presented, well- written, informative, useful, worthwhile, and significant book is an absolute must-read for the aforementioned individuals, possessing a beginner- to- intermediate knowledge of the Social Web. It is very highly recommended for many large public, academic, and special libraries. Review copy. Availability: Amazon, Barnes & Noble.com

Lorenz, Joan F.. Click 2: to Your Pathway.

Dorrance Publishing Co., Inc. 2006. c115p. ISBN 978-0-8059-7105-7. $13.00. ISBN 978-1-4349-4980-6. Sony e-Book. $8.00.

Are you always misplacing or forgetting your Internet logins, usernames, ids, and/or passwords? Perhaps you have attempted to keep track of this information, but have failed to find a good way of organizing it? In this computer password logbook and Internet address book, Lorenz, a resident of New Jersey, who has worked for thirty-five years in the food industry, attempts to help you work “smarter, not harder, in your professional” and/or personal lives by creating an “easy-to-access storage place for your passwords” for “computer programs and other things.” (Publisher’s synopsis) Including a brief one-page “don’t and do,” two lined pages for documenting your favorite websites, and a page of suggestions for passwords, this directory is arranged alphabetically. Each lettered section is four pages and consists of variously labeled entries in which you can record the Date, Program, ID, User Name, and/or Password(s). Each lettered section includes four different types of entries. The four types of entries enable you to log the following information by entry:

1. Date, Program, ID, User Name, Password; or
2. Date, Program, Password, Program, Password; or
3. Date, Program, User Name, Password, Password, Password; or
4. Program, Password;

The first and third types of entries are repeated twice per lettered section, whereas the second is featured once and the fourth is reproduced ten times. While this product evidences the author’s thoughtful attempt at helping you stay organized in the computer age, its presentation and design are improvable. Firstly, the multiple types of entries and their purposes may need to be explained in a brief introduction. Secondly, the labels in the entries may need to be revised to better reflect changes in the computer world and on the Internet. Thirdly, all the pages of this directory should be numbered. Only some pages are numbered. All pages of this directory also should be lettered. Only the first pages of lettered sections are lettered. Fourthly, the title and subtitle of this organizer could be better chosen to explicitly set forth its purposes. Finally, this directory ideally should be published as a World Wide Web application, in an expandable, printed format (ex. loose-leaf binder), and/or as downloadable, editable computer applications or documents that can be used on a variety of computers and mobile devices. Whereas some individuals may find this printed organizer helpful, others may not. This product is not recommended for libraries for a variety of reasons, many, but not all, of which are mentioned above. Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book as a member of the Dorrance Publishing Book Review Team. Visit Dorrancebookstore.com to learn how you can become a member of the Book Review Team. Availability: Amazon.com, Dorrance Bookstore, Sony Reader Store

Griffey, Jason. Gadgets and Gizmos: Personal Electronics and the Library.

American Library Association TechSource. 2010. 35p. bibliog.. illus. ISBN 978-0-8389-5809-4. $43.00. Item Number 7400-8094. (ALA e-Editions) $33.00. 978-0-8389-5809-4. (Kindle e-Book) $23.00.

Perhaps you may not have realized it, but we are living in the midst of an ongoing information revolution, in which personal electronics or “gadgets” and “gizmos” are key components that have tremendous potential to transform societies and institutions such as libraries. In this book, which was published as an issue of Library Technology Reports (Vol. 46, No. 3), Griffey (Head of Library Information Technology, University of Tennessee, Chattanooga; author of Mobile Technology and Libraries and with Karen A. Coombs Library Blogging; columnist for American Libraries “Perpetual Beta” and the ALA TechSource blog), a well- known library technology expert, provides a guide to several “current,” relatively inexpensive-- most are less than $300 and none are greater than $500—personal electronic products and how they fit into any library’s plans for a high- tech future. The author examines a handful of personal electronic products in terms of their features, performance, functionalities, costs, and applications for libraries. Focusing heavily on electronic book readers or e-readers, he also includes various multimedia devices for “capturing and consuming” as well as odd or unusual technologies. Some of the categories of gadgets reviewed by Griffey include e-readers, video cameras, audio recorders, scanners, and multimedia players. The author covers many of the most popular products such as Sony e-readers, the Amazon Kindle, the Barnes & Noble Nook, the Flip, the Sony Bloggie, the Zoom H2, the iPod Touch, the Apple iPad, and more. While he mainly scrutinizes personal electronic products of significance to libraries, librarians, and their patrons, he also references pertinent software applications and Internet websites. Professional and technical in approach, but understandable to anyone who may have a basic to intermediate knowledge of personal electronic products and their applications, this publication will be of interest to librarians and others. An important resource for librarians and their staffs, it is highly recommended for public, academic, and special library collections. Review copy. Availability: ALA Online Store, Amazon, Amazon (Kindle edition), Barnes & Noble

Laughrun, Bette James and Nelson, Kathie. I Want What She’s Got: the Secrets of Creating and Outrageous Life.

With foreword by Brian Klemmer. PCG Legacy. 2011. c127p. illus. bibliog.. ISBN 978-0-826665-8-6. $14.95.

Are you burned- out? Perhaps you feel as if you are living your life in a perpetual holding pattern, your life does not matter, and/or you are waiting to die and have stopped living? Have you settled for less than your dreams or ideal life? Bette Laughrun, a co- author of this book, experienced many of these feelings and thoughts in response to certain situations in which she found herself while mothering five children, being married, enduring various family crises, experiencing a divorce, and pursuing her personal and professional dreams and aspirations. In this self-help publication, Laughrun, founder of a leadership development group that educates faith communities and organizations on how to live healthy lives of contribution, meaning, and purpose (ThePeopleBuilders.com) and manager of a successful nutritional cleansing business, with her daughter Nelson, founder of Connect-works (www.KathieNelson.com), attempt to help readers recharge, re-fire, and revive. They ask women to seek answers to seven crucial questions that will help them create “outrageous” lives, in which they seize their unique potentials and achieve personal and professional growth and success (p. 9). These questions and their answers relate to a woman’s purpose, gift mix, relationships, contribution, self-care, vision, and spirituality. In nine, revealing and inspirational chapters, Laughrun with Nelson describe how they have answered these questions in terms of their own lives and they set forth what they have learned. They also provide readers with additional clarifying questions to answer. The final chapter includes Nelson’s Outrageous Life Assessment as well as an Outrageous Life Design Tool that involves rating aspects of your life, envisioning your own outrageous life, and closing the gap between your perceived and ideal lives. Of interest to women and some general readers, this guide, which includes a list of resources and references its website, is recommended for public library collections. On a personal note, I do not find that the title and subtitle of this book aptly represent its content. The subtitle may indicate this publication’s subject matter to a better extent. However, the word “outrageous” may carry many negative connotations in readers' minds and may not be the best choice. Review copy. Availability: Amazon

Tassey, Mary Ann. Medical Records Journal: Your Personal Medical History.

Dorrance Publishing Co.. 2010. c77p. ISBN 978-1-4349-0549-9. $11.00. ISBN 978-1-4349-7058-9 (pdf e-book). $6.00.

Many people agree that it’s a good idea to keep track of your health records and those of your family members, if you are a caregiver or likely to become one. These medical records are called personal health records (PHRs) and they are distinguishable from those held by your doctors, which may be referred to as your medical records or electronic medical records (EMRs). You will want to have copies of your personal health records and those of the people for whom you are or are likely to become a caregiver for a variety of reasons, not limited to: perhaps you or a family member will change doctors, move, get sick while on vacation or traveling, and/or end up visiting an emergency room. If any of these situations occur and you have your personal health records and/or those of your family members with you, you and/or they may get faster, safer medical care. (Caroline Rea and Paul Lehnert, “Home Medical Records: Overview,” Updated May 1, 2008, Article on Webmd.com) In her publication, Tassey, a resident of Weirton, West Virginia and the mother of seven children, created this “medical records journal,” so “everyone can keep his or her medical records and appointments together.” By means of her book, the author attempts to help individuals compile and/or create their personal health records. Tassey’s publication is divided into two parts. In the first section, she features general information on good health and disease prevention. She covers the top three “killers” (p. v) of Americans—i. e. cancer, heart disease, and stroke—the causes of these killers, who is at risk for them, and ways to avoid them by staying physically fit, eating carefully, and taking preventive measures. She presents some, but not all, screening guidelines as well as information on cholesterol, blood pressure, the food pyramid, metabolism, and vitamins. In the second part, Tassey includes forms that can be used to compile a personal health record, which she calls a “medical records journal” or “personal medical history.” She sets forth forms for keeping track of doctors’ visits, medical tests, and prescriptions. Most forms are seemingly tailored for medical specialists but a few are generic. Each form is labeled Cardiologist, Family Practitioner, Gynecologist, Neurologist, Oncologist, Opthalmologist, Orthopedic, Pediatrician, Urologist, or Physician. Each form leaves room for compiling the doctor’s name and contact information, testing information (type, date, location, result), general notes for testing, medications prescribed (name, date, dosage), and general notes. While Tassey’s book evidences her thoughtful effort at helping readers compile their personal health records (PHRs) or those of others, there are many ways in which it needs to be improved. Firstly, the author needs to include a one- page form that enables individuals to summarize their health information so that it can be disseminated easily and/or copied and carried with persons. This summary form should contain information pertaining to the individual’s emergency contact(s), primary care physician, health insurance, health problems, medications, allergies, family medical history, health care agent(s), and more. Secondly, Tassey needs to provide a comprehensive chart that sets forth screening and immunization guidelines for all age groups. The author needs to better document and present her publication by providing footnotes/endnotes as well as a glossary, bibliography, and index. The first part of Tassey’s book on health and disease is too short and incomplete. It should be expanded and reformatted with numbered, clearly delineated chapter headings. Many of this publication's forms have more than one page number on them. This book needs to be repaginated with incorrect page numbers removed. Finally, Tassey needs to recommend that readers obtain copies of their medical records from their doctors. She needs to include chapter(s) and/or appendix(ices) on the types of more extensive personal health records that readers should keep and how they can do this. Of interest to general readers, this publication may be of limited use to some individuals, but is not recommended for most library collections for many reasons, several of which are described above. Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book as a member of the Dorrance Publishing Book Review Team. Visit dorrancebookstore.com to learn how you can become a member of the Book Review Team.. Availability: Amazon, Dorrance Bookstore

Connellan, Tom. The 1% Solution for Work and Life: How to Make Your Next 30 Days the Best Ever.

Peak Performance Press, Inc.. Dec. 2010. c157p. illus. ISBN 978-0-9769506-2-2. $19.95.

Ever wonder how you can boost your performance, make your job and/or life better, become more successful, and/or ultimately happier? Winners of all kinds understand the power of 1 percent. In the case of Olympic athletes, 1 percent distinguishes the “exceptionally exceptional” from the “exceptional” competitors, the medal winners from the non-medal winners, whereas for the average person, it may seem more elusive. (p. 9) In this publication, based upon his own research and that of others, Connellan (Ph.D.; author of Bringing Out the Best in Others!), a former Program Director, company founder and CEO, as well as best selling author of ten books and numerous journal articles, sets forth what 1 percent means for an ordinary person, someone who can not be 100 percent better than everyone but can be 1 percent better at 100s of things if (s)he commits to improving. (pp. 9-10) In seven chapters that function as a call to action as well as a comprehensive plan for achieving results, the author retells the story of Ken, an average person, who reaches a turning point in his life after observing how his son’s soccer coach Jim was able to improve his son’s soccer team. Ken discusses the turnaround with Jim, who then sends him to learn from five successful 1 percenters-- a sales executive, college physics professor, prominent business owner, practicing psychologist, and former Olympic tri-athlete. These noteworthy individuals impart to Ken (and readers) their secrets, thereby providing him (and readers) with the knowledge and tools that he (and readers) needs to succeed. Packed with much useful and wise advice as well as many actionable ideas, derived from solid research in the social sciences and sciences, this inspirational, self-help guide, presented in the form of a story, will show readers how to power up and keep going at permanently higher levels in just thirty days. Of interest to anyone who wants more from work and life, it is highly recommended for all readers and most public library collections, even though it lacks a selected bibliography, footnotes/endnotes, and an index, all of which would have augmented the story and assisted readers.
Advance Readers Copy. Availability: Amazon, Barnes & Noble.com

Polanka, Sue, Ed.. No Shelf Required: E-Books in Libraries.

American Library Association Editions. 2010. c.194p. illus. index. ISBN 978-0-8389-1054-2. $65.00. Item Number: 7400-0542 (e-book, ALA e-Editions). $52.00. B0043VE3J6 (Kindle Edition). $52.00.

Existing for more than 10 years, electronic books are going mainstream. A relatively new phenomenon for many librarians and publishers, they raise many issues and challenges. In this compilation, Polanka (Head of Reference and Instruction, Wright State University Libraries, Dayton, Ohio; M. L. S., Kent State University School of Library and Information Science; “Off The Shelf” Column Writer, Booklist’s Reference Books Bulletin; Moderator, No Shelf Required blog), a reference and instruction librarian with extensive experience in public, state, and academic libraries, as well as a variety of professionals share their expertise about e-books. In nine chapters, contributors examine electronic books in relation to the Internet, student learning, school libraries, public libraries, academic libraries, and the publishing industries. They discuss topics, not limited to the history of e-books, their types, technologies, devices and software applications, pricing models, data standards, usage statistics, preservation, and future. A must-read for librarians and professionals involved with the collection development, acquisition, cataloging, and/or preservation of electronic books, this nicely- presented and well- documented publication, with easy-to-read, insightful essays by experts, provides a significant, solid foundation for further practice and research. It is strongly recommended for many school, public, and academic library collections as a primary professional resource that can be read in its entirety or by chapter, as needed. Review copy. Availability: Amazon.com, Amazon (Kindle Edition), Barnes & Noble.com