Abstract
Issues surrounding inappropriate language use in library cataloging and archival description have a history of discussion. This literature review examines biased language in library and archive use for collection description and explores collaborative approaches for combatting the issue. Collaborative, community archiving practices and the use of folksonomies or user-generated metadata offer potential solutions to alleviating some of the pain points evident in description practice and protocol. This paper advocates that further research into the use of user-generated metadata needs to be undertaken for archives to truthfully, respectfully, and justly represent the diverse histories held in their collections.
Highlights
Issues surrounding inappropriate language use in library cataloging and archival description have a history of discussion
These differences lead to reduced levels of visibility and discoverability in the archive, for researchers who identify with the LGBTQ+ community
There are ways in which grassroots and institutionally-based archives are actively integrating collaboration into their description processes in an effort to combat culturally insensitive description. These archives are focused on the collection of marginalized communities or individuals, making collaborative practices essential to an honest representation of these groups. These archives may look to content standards like DACS or Dublin Core in deciding what information should be included in description, but they look to the community in determining the precise terminology to describe these communities
Summary
Human language is continually evolving, making it impossible for the LOC to keep up-to-date with the changing vernacular of our world’s diverse populations (Baucom, 2018). There are ways in which grassroots and institutionally-based archives are actively integrating collaboration into their description processes in an effort to combat culturally insensitive description Often, these archives are focused on the collection of marginalized communities or individuals, making collaborative practices essential to an honest representation of these groups. These archives are focused on the collection of marginalized communities or individuals, making collaborative practices essential to an honest representation of these groups These archives may look to content standards like DACS or Dublin Core in deciding what information should be included in description, but they look to the community in determining the precise terminology to describe these communities. Chicana por mi Raza uses a strong model of collaboration that involves the community and subject experts at multiple points across the archival process. The description practices used by these archives don’t always present an easy or clear-cut model for description, but they offer an inclusive-focused way forward
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