Inclusive Metadata Strategies
Our inclusive metadata strategies focus on 3 areas: offensive/outdated terminology, classification, and inclusive language.
To report offensive/outdated terminology not already listed below, use the report form. Questions may be directed to metadata@uco.edu.
Offensive/outdated terminology
Verbiage used in standardized library cataloging practices that is based on outdated or offensive language
| Problem | Action | Status |
|---|---|---|
| "Sexual Minorities" (Library of Congress Subject Headings) | Remove the term “sexual minorities” from metadata sourced from WorldCat and add more specific terminology for materials in the library’s collections and the Center’s library; utilize additional thesauri for metadata |
Retroactive removal completed (2015) On-going removal for new materials (2015-present) |
| Research implementation of normalization rules to remove the verbiage from any data source within Central Search | Research in progress (2021-Present) | |
| "Illegal Aliens" (Library of Congress Subject Headings) | Replaced with “undocumented immigrants” in metadata sourced from WorldCat as part of greater library community initiative |
Retroactive removal completed (2020) On-going removal for new materials (2020-present) |
| Research implementation of normalization rules to change the verbiage from any data source within Central Search | Research in progress (2021-Present) | |
| "Indians of North America" (Library of Congress Subject Headings | Research best practices for improving access to resources by and about Indigenous peoples | Research in progress (2021-Present) |
Classification
The basis for creating call numbers, which are used to organize library materials in the physical stacks
| Problem | Action | Status |
|---|---|---|
|
The letter "N" to organize materials by, about, or relating to Black people in the library's physical collections |
Replace "N" with "B" in call numbers for materials by, about, or relating to Black people - 300 titles affected have been identified for review and reclassifying. |
Library of Congress issued change (07/2021) Titles identified in collection (08/2021) Planning underway (09/2021-Present) |
|
The letter "O" to organize materials by Asian authors in the library's physical collections |
Monitor updates from Library of Congress and the professional cataloging community at large to determine best practice for removing "O" |
Problem identified (2020) Monitoring in progress (2020-Present) |
Inclusive language
Opportunities to provide more inclusive language in library metadata
| Problem | Action | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Inadequate options for LGBTQ+ descriptors in Library of Congress Subject Headings | Utilize terms from Homosaurus, a linked data vocabulary designed to be more inclusive of the nuances of the LGBTQ+ community, in addition to existing metadata when appropriate. |
Homosaurus identified as an option (2016) Adding terms on-going (2016-Present) |
