Each of us is hopelessly trapped inside of a particular language matrix, until we become consciously aware of how this inexorable process relentlessly operates. This book presents an unified conception of what language is universally, for all sentient beings, in all of its forms and aspects; and how language phenomena operate, through unconsciously projected four-dimensional (time-space) gestalts, in specific situations in the real world, to produce meaningful perceptual closures and useful results. This book operationally identifies the universal "fundamental particles" (NOT phonemes, nor letters of the alphabet, etc.) of any language; and how these fundamental phenomenal "particles" combine, by the activity of unconsciously projected, four-dimensional, perceptual gestalts, to form the more complex language "atoms" (NOT necessarily, "words", etc.), and "molecules" (NOT necessarily, sentences, etc.), which interconnect further with the other culturally "mandated" physical artifacts imbedded in the specific situation, and operate physically, to produce the culturally prescribed, "meanings", and useful objects of intention, of the individuals of whatever species, which are intercommunicating, and inter-operating in the situation. Examples of many kinds are presented, often in terms of concerns, activities, and operations relating to libraries. This book is multidisciplinary in scope.

In this work, over 30 librarians (such as James V. Carmichael, Jr., Sanford Berman, Martha E. Stone, Gerald Perry, Barbara Gomez and Martha Cornog) address gay and lesbian issues facing the profession, and in some cases offer their own stories of understanding their sexuality and its implications on their professional lives. Some of the issues addressed are the need to uphold intellectual freedom, challenging the censorship of gay materials in libraries, AIDS material in the library, the information needs of gay and lesbian patrons, collection development, and confronting homophobia.