[DCRM-L] statements on harmful language or catalog remediation

[Lapka, Francis]

A colleague has brought my attention to this admirable statement on cataloging<https://clarklibrary.ucla.edu/research/statementoncataloging/> at the William Andrews Clark Memorial Library. I believe this is the central idea (but I encourage folks to read the entirety):

The Clark Library is revising our cataloging practices, checking records for accuracy and to eliminate, whenever possible, language that is biased or racist. We are updating metadata especially in instances when the historical narrative needs to be challenged or when greater social context needs to be included.

I believe a lot of institution are drafting similar language. At Yale, we have (so far) a Statement on Harmful Language in Archival Description<https://guides.library.yale.edu/specialcollections/statementondescription>, which includes mention of our efforts in reparative work.

In light of statements such as this, I wonder:


  1.  Has anyone undertaken a statement that acknowledges the difficulty presented by harmful language in transcribed fields, especially in historical special collections material?



  1.  The statements that I've encountered so far all exist outside of the catalog proper. Are there any such statements within a catalog interface, e.g. in a footer or other boilerplate? Has anyone considered adding explanatory statements directly to a catalog record that has particularly harmful language (presumably transcribed)?


Francis


Francis Lapka
Senior Catalogue Librarian
Department of Rare Books and Manuscripts
Yale Center for British Art
203-432-9672  *  francis.lapka at yale.edu<mailto:francis.lapka at yale.edu>


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