Atkins DEIA in Descriptive Practices Working Group

August 15, 2021
The DEIA in Descriptive Practices Working Group is tasked with devising strategies to address controlled vocabulary terms and other language used in the descriptions of resources in Atkins Library’s search systems about people of color and marginalized communities that are harmful and offensive. Inspired by Archives for Black Lives in Philadelphia, the Conscious Editing Initiative at UNC Chapel Hill, and other efforts by our colleagues to address historical inequities within libraries and archives, this group aims to take concrete actions to update descriptive policies and practices. Beginning its work with an audit of vocabularies and language found in Alma/Primo, ArchivesSpace, Goldmine and Niner Commons, the group will develop a set of guidelines, recommendations, and practical actions that can aid metadata and technical services staff in making the descriptions of our resources as inclusive and welcoming as possible for all of Atkins’ stakeholders. The group will consult current literature and case studies in the field to inform and guide its efforts as well as student and community members from marginalized communities on campus and beyond who can offer needed insight and perspectives on how our descriptive practices can be adjusted to better serve and represent Atkins’ diverse constituencies. This work will also improve the discoverability of resources created by, for, and about marginalized communities.
Joseph Nicholson
Metadata Librarian
704-687-8744