pg. 5, Sandy Berman:
"Maudlin as it may sound, I actually felt almost every day, as a cataloger, that I was liberating library books and audiovisual materials, as well as the information and ideas they contained, by crafting bibliographic records that included clarifying (and searchable) notes, generous topical and other access points... no arcane or intimidating abbreviations, and subject headings formulated in both familiar and unbiased language, and representing contemporary themes and events in a timely way."

This is a mind-expanding and eye-opening book and a must-read for every cataloger. It will put your daily job into perspective and show you ways to serve your patrons by using unconventional cataloging methods (which some might consider "radical"). Topics range from classification (foreword by Sanford Berman and essays about subject headings for queer and latina) to descriptive cataloging of various types of material (film, serials). The contributions sometimes address very practical issues and ways to "tweak" cataloging rules so that user needs can be better accommodated, but there are also more theoretical essays (e.g. "Ubiquitous cataloging") that deal with traditional notions of cataloging and possibilities for change in order for libraries not to be marginalized by Google and the like. This collection of essays really changed the way I personally look at cataloging because it shows that rules (cataloging relies to a large extent on rules, and following them) must not be obeyed at all cost and that applying common sense can be a radical thing to do in cataloging. This was a freeing experience and is highly recommended! ( )