Do you know anyone who seems to know something about everything? I suspect that Thomas Mann is one of those guys. After completing The Oxford Guide To Library Research, I am compelled to ask how a person can know so much about such a wide variety of subjects and why. I may one day ask Mann himself, but until then I will leave you with a quick review of this very helpful resource.
It has been said that education is the process of learning to ask the right questions. If that is true, then The Oxford Guide to Library Research, is an education in an of itself because it focuses on teaching its readers to ask the right questions and to consult the correct sources. This is not a page turner, you will not pick this up to re-read regularly, but if you have research in your near future, I suspect that you will regularly pick this book up to find research tips and resources. Mann is obviously an expert in his field, and, as a reference librarian in the Library of Congress, his experience in the field is nearly unmatched.
One of the greatest contributions, however, is not in the main body of the book, but is the appendix titled Wisdom. Mann essentially lays out a brief philosophy of wisdom with a reminder that even academic acolades and research do not yield wisdom. He writes:
Wisdom…entails not just intellectual apprehension of the true, but also a willed practice of the good in conduct as well.
This short essay is good reading and worthwhile, but the heart of the book is about research methods and locations. From encyclopedias to bibliographies and Boolean combinations to personal interviews, Mann gives great advice and wisdom on where and how to research effectively. Sure, your loved ones will laugh because you are reading a book about books, but it will be worthwhile when you need to find books as resources.
