Do we really need another book on the Web? In fact, this is not just another book about the wonders of the Web. It is aimed at a very specific group: people who want to use the Web to provide instruction in the use of library resources. However, its focus is slightly broader than the traditional library resources. Smith focuses on information literacy.

The book begins with a helpful glossary of acronyms. This is followed by chapters on library instruction on the Web, the design and development cycle, designing the user interface, multimedia, interactivity, and evaluation and testing. There is also a list of resources followed by an index. The importance of project management is stressed throughout. There were only a few trivial mistakes. I did find it slightly annoying that a discussion on the use of color was illustrated using only monochrome pictures. It would also have helped if the examples were provided on an accompanying CD-ROM. This book does not claim to provide everything designers need to know about the Web. Smith suggests reading a more general book first. I feel that people who have limited experience producing Web sites will probably need some skilled help to produce material that is as good as most of the examples provided.

The book is extremely readable and full of useful advice. It has a large number of illustrations and examples. I was especially impressed by the brief section on accessibility issues for people who have a disability. Many designers do not take this group into account. The book also discusses a number of practical concerns, such as browser compatibility issues and the fact that not everybody has the same monitor. And how many Web designers take into account that in many university computer labs, the sound cards on the computers are disabled in order to avoid annoying other users? These are just a few of the topics that Smith brings up. Despite the fact that the book is less than 200 pages, it presents a lot of information.

The Web has a lot to offer educators. It can teach students 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This can be extremely convenient for students who have other commitments, such as a job, and can benefit from this type of availability. This method of lesson delivery would also be greatly appreciated by many distance education students who do not live near a university and cannot commute to school on a regular basis. Web-based lesson delivery can also allow students to practice their new skills. Although this book is aimed at people who want to provide library instruction, it is likely that anybody who wants to provide educational resources over the Web would find some of the material presented to be very helpful. Overall, this is a very impressive book.