Bridging Worlds: Emerging Models and Practices of U.S. Academic Libraries around the Globe. Edited by Raymond Pun, Scott Collard, and Justin Parrott. Chicago: ACRL, 2016. 210 p. Paper $50 (ISBN: 978-0-8389-8842-8).

In recent years, American colleges and universities have increased their emphasis on international engagement, emphasizing global awareness, interconnectedness, and student and community diversity. As a result, universities are establishing campuses, branches, and enhanced programs outside of the United States, particularly in the Middle East and East Asia, where they introduce Western higher education practices and philosophies. These collaborative partnerships focus on blending cultural, social, political, and economic communities, while exploring new territories in research, teaching, and learning. Bridging Worlds presents examples of academic libraries taking part in shaping these collaborations by acting as partners in the development of campus community, student life, and research from a global perspective.

The book is divided into five thematic sections, each of which is comprised of chapters, case studies, and practical tips focusing on how libraries are working in global communities to build campus collections. The contributors present a variety of approaches, and the result is a comprehensive resource covering the design, development, and management of library collections abroad.

In the first section, the contributing authors share their perspectives on the challenges, rewards, and successes encountered in designing the two international campus libraries for New York University. This provides helpful insight regarding the big picture for activities and developments found in subsequent chapters. In section two, the contributors explore various phases of developing library access, technological services, programs, and policies at the international campus, with particular focus on implementing interlibrary loan and integrating academic technology support in an international context. Also covered are the rewards and challenges of working with colleagues dispersed around the globe, collecting usage statistics, and managing staffing needs. At international campuses, practical concerns over shipping must be considered when dealing with censored books, delays in customs facilities, and unanticipated technical difficulties. Differences in time zones, standard workweeks, and academic calendars are additional factors that can pose challenges to establishing global delivery systems, services, and processes. The lessons presented here are likely to be useful for others who wish to pursue similar endeavors.

Section three examines the processes of building print, digital, multimedia, and special collections in global settings. The major topics covered are licensing electronic resources across a global network, building print collections over long distances, and managing different intellectual property regulations in different countries. This section also addresses the need for local collections to meet local teaching and research needs, with attention paid to the unique histories and cultures of the host country. Librarians involved in collection development, copyright law, and archives and special collections will find this section of particular interest.

The fourth section discusses global and virtual reference, research, instruction, and outreach through collaborative models and best practices. The authors share helpful tips about considering student and faculty diversity when planning and developing library services. One especially informative piece presents the results of an exploratory study at an American-style institution. The contributors shared effective ways of developing information literacy, library instruction, and assessment plans in an international context. The survey used in this exploratory study is included in an appendix, so it can be replicated at other institutions.

The final section offers methods and best practices regarding technical services in both local and international contexts. Major areas of discussion here include the challenges that materials processing procedures and RDA cataloging rules can create for global partners. This section is especially beneficial for those whose work involves library automation, library management systems, acquisitions, and cataloging. Recommendations regarding standardization of data structures and language scripts through International Cataloging Principles are just some of the helpful tips discussed by authors in this section. Coordinating global technical services effectively will offer students and professors access to resources and services that cannot be readily provided by home libraries.

Each chapter provides fresh ideas, experimental models, and new approaches to developing an international campus library in collaboration with the home campus. This easy-to-read guide provides valuable advice, models, and approaches for effective partnerships with international branch campus libraries.—Pamela Louderback, Assistant Professor/Library Director, Northeastern State University, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma