Ethical questions in name authority control, edited by Jane Sandberg. Sacramento, CA: Library Juice Press, (2019)

摘要

The recognition that librarians and library spaces are not politically neutral or free from bias has become a rallying cry for social justice-oriented librarians. In Ethical Questions in Name Authority Control, edited by Electronic Resources Librarian at Linn-Benton Community College Jane Sandberg, this sentiment extends to a foundational element of a library and its materials - the catalog. This book builds on the idea that the name authority records used to collocate and differentiate an author and their work are not neutral records of fact, but are instead reflections of distinct choices a cataloger makes when creating an authority record. In choosing to include or withhold certain aspects of an author's identity, a cataloger will not only influence the ability of a patron to access the full extent of an author's work, but also a patron's understanding of who that author is. This is, in fact, quite a powerful position for a cataloger to have over a person's identity. From violating an author's privacy to omitting an author's chosen or Indigenous name, these ethical pitfalls can have lasting negative impacts on an author's professional and private life. While this book provides many examples of ethical transgressions, it also provides successful case studies and possible solutions to make authority records more respectful of an author's privacy and identity.