Inclusive Metadata Strategies
Inclusive Metadata Statement
Our inclusive metadata strategies focus on 3 areas: offensive/outdated terminology, classification, and inclusive language.
To report offensive/outdated terminology not already listed below, use the report form.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Offensive/outdated terminology
Verbiage used in standardized library cataloging practices that is based on outdated or offensive language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)
|