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

[Matthew C. Haugen]

Hi,

Violet Fox has compiled a helpful list of institutional statements of this
sort, here:

http://cataloginglab.org/list-of-statements-on-bias-in-library-and-archives-description/

Matthew

On Thu, Dec 10, 2020 at 3:13 PM Gabriela Zoller <gzoller at history.pcusa.org>
wrote:

> Hi,
>
> We haven’t addressed this for published materials in our OPAC yet, though
> we have toyed with the idea of a footer or some boilerplate on every record
> display page that notes the presence of racist/offensive materials in our
> library collection (missionaries! They say terrible things!).  We have
> developed a policy for our digital repository (which is mostly archival
> material), which you can read here:
> https://digital.history.pcusa.org/dig_collection_offensive_lang_policy
>
>
>
> Best,
> Gabriela
>
>
>
>
>
> Gabriela Zoller
>
> Cataloging and Metadata Librarian
>
> Presbyterian Historical Society
>
> 425 Lombard Street
>
> Philadelphia PA 19147
>
> Ph: 215.928.3881
>
> Fax:215.928.3870
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> *From:* DCRM-L <dcrm-l-bounces at lib.byu.edu> *On Behalf Of *Ryan Hildebrand
> *Sent:* Thursday, December 10, 2020 2:01 PM
> *To:* 'dcrm-l at lib.byu.edu' <dcrm-l at lib.byu.edu>
> *Subject:* Re: [DCRM-L] statements on harmful language or catalog
> remediation
>
>
>
> Hi Francis,
>
>
>
> At UO we selectively add the following statement in catalog records (590)
> and finding aids.
>
>
>
> “The University of Oregon Libraries Special Collections and University
> Archives serves as a historical repository of materials, some of which may
> be considered prejudiced, stereotyped or offensive. Historical data is an
> important resource in the study of contemporary and past cultures. As such,
> we take our responsibilities in preserving and cataloging such material
> seriously and provide access for the purpose of scholarly research and
> study.”
>
>
>
> -Ryan
>
>
>
>
>
> Ryan Hildebrand
>
> Authorities & Special Collections Cataloging Librarian
>
> University of Oregon Libraries
>
> 1299 University of Oregon
>
> Eugene OR 97403-1299
>
> (541) 346-1844
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> *From:* DCRM-L <dcrm-l-bounces at lib.byu.edu> *On Behalf Of *Lapka, Francis
> *Sent:* Thursday, December 10, 2020 10:42 AM
> *To:* 'dcrm-l at lib.byu.edu' <dcrm-l at lib.byu.edu>
> *Subject:* [DCRM-L] statements on harmful language or catalog remediation
>
>
>
> A colleague has brought my attention to this admirable statement on
> cataloging
> <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/clarklibrary.ucla.edu/research/statementoncataloging/__;!!C5qS4YX3!SQhB9sLdUkZfTaTCG9YprF3sWhobXaARDG_m66ukWZFaZsR_5pvA-pI3w10DEIFP$>
> at the William Andrews Clark Memorial Library. I believe this is the
> central idea (but I encourage folks to read the entirety):
>
>
>
> The Clark Library is revising our cataloging practices, checking records
> for accuracy and to eliminate, whenever possible, language that is biased
> or racist. We are updating metadata especially in instances when the
> historical narrative needs to be challenged or when greater social context
> needs to be included.
>
>
>
> I believe a lot of institution are drafting similar language. At Yale, we
> have (so far) a Statement on Harmful Language in Archival Description
> <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/guides.library.yale.edu/specialcollections/statementondescription__;!!C5qS4YX3!SQhB9sLdUkZfTaTCG9YprF3sWhobXaARDG_m66ukWZFaZsR_5pvA-pI3w5jX-z0J$>,
> 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
>
>
>
>
>


-- 
Matthew C. Haugen
Rare Book Cataloger | Columbia University Libraries
matthew.haugen at columbia.edu | 212-851-2451 | he/him/his
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