Recognizing the disparity between time-intensive cataloging of bound-with books according to current code and guidelines, and the quick processing advocated by the “core record” movement and “hidden collections” initiative, Fletcher offers a reasonable middle ground in her book: collection-level cataloging. In this accessible and comprehensive manual, Fletcher shares her expertise while encouraging readers to tackle the challenge of bound-with cataloging. To that end, Fletcher's discourse fits neatly into the Third Millennium Cataloging series, which “provides an ongoing set of guides to problems of contemporary cataloging, and clarifies issues, primarily in the electronic environment.”1 Still, the author's choice of the title Collection-Level Cataloging: Bound-With Books is peculiar because it suggests a limited focus on collection-level treatment when this text actually serves as an exhaustive manual on the cataloging of bound-with books, both complete and collective treatment alike.

The book consists of an introduction, seven chapters, sources cited, and an index. Structurally, the chapters can be divided into two sections: (1) a historical overview of bound-with books (chapters 1–3), including general background, early cataloging treatment, and an analytical survey of existing cataloging guidelines; and (2) the author's approach to cataloging bound-with books (chapters 4–7), including precataloging identification and preparation, a best practices approach to complete cataloging treatment, guidance on collection-level cataloging, and concluding thoughts.

The first chapter, “Background and Overview,” is particularly informative for those unfamiliar with bound-with books. The author begins by clarifying terminology, providing description (complete with photographic illustration of bindings and contents), and contextualizing the historical practice of binding separately issued materials. In the following chapter, Fletcher discusses early cataloging treatment of bound-with books in both book and card catalogs, and successfully conveys how the often-inadequate descriptions kept the contents hidden from researchers. The third chapter offers an objective analysis and comparison of existing rules, guidelines, and relevant practices for cataloging bound-with books, primarily focusing on Rules for Descriptive Cataloging in the Library of Congress; Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules, 2nd ed., rev.; Descriptive Cataloging of Rare Materials (Books); and International Standard Bibliographic Description (ISBD).² Fletcher's analysis is effective in navigating the opacity of the various sets of guidelines, revealing where discrepancies exist and demonstrating how the lines are often blurred between volumes compiled by a publisher and volumes compiled by an individual.

Catalogers seeking practical guidance on describing bound-with books can skip directly to chapters 4–6. Fletcher's vast knowledge and experience in handling these problematic materials are reflected in a compendium of cataloging options. In these chapters, Fletcher presents clues on distinguishing between unique and publisher-issued compilations, provides instruction on precataloging physical preparation, provides a synthesis of best practices to aid in complete cataloging treatment, presents three alternatives for collection-level treatment, and reveals the decision-making process behind selecting the appropriate course of action. These chapters contain supporting examples that elegantly illustrate the options described; Fletcher goes further by offering guidance to a few ambiguous situations that catalogers may confront.

Chapter 6, “Collection-Level Cataloging for Bound-With Books,” contains the author's core contribution in providing a feasible solution to efficiently catalog bound-with books. Fletcher contends that uniquely compiled bound-with books are, in fact, small collections, and should therefore be treated as such in describing them. Her argument is compelling; however, despite the title of the book and the detailed instruction given in this chapter, Fletcher gives equal justification for complete cataloging treatment, stating that it “should always be considered as viable; indeed, it should be considered as the first option” (52).

Chapter 7 concludes with the author's final thoughts, in which she issues a challenge to catalogers: seek out bound-with books, whether currently on the shelves with less-than-full cataloging records or collecting dust in the backlog, and prioritize them for cataloging. Given Fletcher's contribution to providing guidance on the cataloging of bound-with books and her justification of the importance of unlocking the potential research value within them, she is not only encouraging, but convincing.