[Metadatalibrarians] 2021 ALA Annual Virtual Program: Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in the Library and Technical Services

[Sai Deng]

*** Please excuse cross-posting​​​ ***​​​

The Core Role of the Professional Librarian in Technical Services Interest Group is happy to announce its virtual roundtable discussions to be held at the 2021 ALA Virtual Annual Conference.

Theme:  Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in the Library and Technical Services
Time: 1-2pm CST time, June 26, 2021
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://ala-events.zoom.us/j/99246878598?pwd=REp1Rko5MjF5bm02MUpmaFFET1doUT09
Meeting ID: 992 4687 8598
Passcode: 749227

Programs:

Inclusive Cataloging Practices

Discussion facilitator: Alyssa Koclanes, Associate Professor, Technical Services and Instruction Librarian, Eckerd College

This roundtable will discuss inclusive cataloging practices, such as alternative subject headings, to enhance library catalogs and make the searching and discovery process more inclusive for our users. I hope to discuss with other technical services and cataloging librarians about what they have done or are doing at the local level to integrate inclusive cataloging practices into the technical services workflow in their libraries. Alternative subject headings at the local level are needed because the Library of Congress still has not yet implemented the recommendation from a Subject Analysis Committee working group in 2017 to change LCSH “Aliens” to “Noncitizens” and “Illegal aliens” to “Undocumented immigrants.” In addition, Library of Congress subject headings to describe LGBTQIA+ individuals (i.e. sexual minorities) are also not inclusive and not reflective of the current times. Another example of an inclusive cataloging practice to support diverse authors and collections is to add a local note to highlight them, such as Own Voices or Authentic Voice. I will also share some resources with the discussion group about inclusive cataloging practices.

Possible Discussion Questions:
- Are you familiar with inclusive cataloging practices and if so, have you implemented any (such as adding alternative subject headings) in your library’s catalog?
- What types of inclusive cataloging practices have you implemented or are you familiar with?
- If you have not implemented inclusive cataloging practices, what are the barriers to doing so?
How have you marketed or given visibility to these inclusive cataloging changes?

Embracing Equity, Diversity and Inclusion with Local Subject Headings

Discussion facilitator: Brian Stearns, Cataloguing Librarian, University of Alberta

Many libraries are deciding to make local changes to subject headings rather than wait for standards (such as Library of Congress Subject Headings) to adopt changes that better represent their users. This discussion is for individuals who have made or are interested in making such changes!

Possible Discussion Questions:
- Has your institution engaged in any local subject heading changes? How were they identified? Did you publicise these changes afterwards?
- How you shared your local subject headings with other institutions?
- How could libraries collectively improve subject headings that are not accepted by L.C. or other controlled vocabularies?

Addressing Systemic Racism in Metadata

Discussion facilitators: Jessie Copeland, Director, Resource Services, Emory University; Lars Meyer, Associate Dean, Access and Resource Services, Emory University

In the Spring of 2020, the Emory Libraries developed an anti-racism action plan as part of larger, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and social justice work efforts.  As part of the action plan, Emory Libraries committed itself to examining and making recommendations for how we create, use, and display metadata in our catalogs and finding aids database. We are partnering in the effort with the Carlos Museum, a campus museum.  The metadata working group consists of staff from throughout the libraries and the museum, including catalogers, subject librarians, archivists, curators, administrative staff and student employees. The group of about 20 members formed three groups focused on metadata in library and museum catalogs/databases.  Specifically, the groups are less concerned about technology (though it does play a role) and is instead focused on our respective assumptions and practices as they may be informed by industry and local practices, constraints imposed by systems such as LCSH, and taking into account user perspectives on metadata.  We will share our findings, share our recommendations for improvement, engage the audience in feedback.

Possible Discussion Questions:
- Should we use metadata schema outside of LCSH, e.g., Homosaurus, as subject headings?
- How can we best get feedback from users about our metadata?
- What can we do to best coordinate across different metadata producers, such as archives, museums, and libraries?

EDI: Where do we Begin?

Discussion facilitator: Diana Simpson, Assistant Professor / Catalog Librarian, University of Southern Mississippi

EDI is a topic that touches on every aspect of an institution, from high level thinking such as the organization’s core values and strategic planning on down to an individual cataloger’s choice of metadata in current cataloging. So how do staff in an individual library technical services department begin addressing EDI in relation to the department’s metadata creation and maintenance?

Possible Discussion Questions:
- How do we organize ourselves to create policies for EDI that will inform how we do our work? Do we form a task force?  Whom do we include?
- What should our charge be? What are the first priorities or first steps?
-  Where do we find resources and best practices?

Roundtable discussions are informal group discussions intended to give participants the opportunity to discuss best practices, and share information. Discussions will be led by facilitators and virtual breakout rooms will be used for different groups. All discussion facilitators will provide a quick report back to the group at large toward the end of the session.

Thank you for your interest and participation!

RPLTS Interest Group Co-Chairs:
Christine Davidian davidian at rowan.edu
Sai Deng Sai.Deng at ucf.edu

RPLTS Interest Group Co-Vice-Chairs:
Sofia Slutskaya sofia.slutskaya at emory.edu
Sherab Chen chen.1140 at osu.edu