Please explore additional information on the topic of harmful, biased, or inaccurate language in library catalogs on this page.
Media on Bias in Library Catalogs
For more episodes in the Organizing Chaos: Bias in the Library series, please visit: WYNC STUDIOS
- The Bias Hiding in Your LibraryLibrary subjects and call numbers can be the subject of controversy.
- Change the SubjectDocumentary on the Darmtouth students and librarians that challenged anti-immigrant language in Library of Congress subject headings
- Remembering the Howard University Librarian Who Decolonized the Way Books Were CataloguedDorothy Porter challenged the racial bias in the Dewey Decimal System, putting black scholars alongside white colleagues
Case Studies and Critical Essays
- "Nineteenth-Century Depictions of Disabilities and Modern Metadata: A Consideration of Material in the P. T. Barnum Digital Collection"The Library of Congress subject headings have been examined in the past for their classification of subjects relating to race, gender, and sexuality. Overlooked is subject headings that relate to disabilities.
- Classification Along the Color Line: Excavating Racism in the StacksThis paper contends that systemic violence is fundamentally a classification problem. The interrogation of the production of racialized library subjects in relation to one another and in relation to political and social conditions may shed light on the intensely complex problems of racism in the United States today.
- Queering the Catalog: Queer Theory and the Politics of CorrectionCritiques of hegemonic library classification structures and controlled vocabularies have a rich history in information studies. This project has pointed out the trouble with classification and
cataloging decisions that are framed as objective and neutral but are always ideological and worked to correct bias in library structures.
Local Groups and Information
- Archives For Black Lives in Philadelphia (A4BLiP)Archives For Black Lives in Philadelphia (A4BLiP) is a loose association of archivists, librarians, and allied professionals in the area responding to the issues raised by the Black Lives Matter movement. The group was inspired by Jarrett Drake, formerly Digital Archivist at Princeton University, and his work to end archives’ erasure of Black lives.
- Diversity at the University of PennsylvaniaPeriodically, the University reports on its progress on campus-wide initiatives and priorities. The reports listed below provide information and status reports on selected initiatives that are relevant to Penn's aims for achieving excellence through diversity.
- Group on Library Diversity (GOLD)The Group on Library Diversity (GOLD) supports the University of Pennsylvania Libraries Diversity Statement, including its commitment to foster and ensure a welcoming and respectful environment for all library staff and users. GOLD provides training and informational programs, assists with the recruitment process, and serves as a resource for raising awareness about diversity. Mission and Responsibilities: GOLD works with staff, Administrative Council, and the Libraries Human Resources Office to promote and support a diverse workforce within the Libraries.
Sensitive Materials Statement
The Penn Libraries is committed to producing, preserving, and providing access to knowledge. We make materials accessible to improve information equity and enhance teaching, research, and learning. Some materials may be considered offensive and do not represent opinions, values, positions or norms that are held by the University of Pennsylvania Libraries. Where possible, we strive to present these materials within the historical or cultural context they were created by providing descriptive information.