As we embark on our efforts to review our digital collections and finding aids (see our first blog post in the series), FUL Special Collections & Archives and the Digital Collections Center are self-reflecting on how we can better address representational gaps and improve user experience when interacting with our digital collections. At this stage in our DEI audit process, we are focusing on the first two steps:
Step 1: Consult the Community and Self-Reflect
Step 2: Study Harmful Content Statements Across Institutions
These steps involve acknowledging inherent biases that may impact our everyday work, framing our auditing efforts with user cases and prior literature, and reviewing statements from libraries and archives across the country that express a commitment to improving our descriptive practices.
We now invite you to review three statements: two we have recently published on the use of potentially offensive language and imagery, and an existing one on accessibility.
- FUL Digital Collections Center Statement on Potentially Harmful Content
- FUL Special Collections and Archives Statement on Potentially Harmful Content
- FUL Statement on Accessibility
The first two statements acknowledge that sometimes we describe communities of which we are not a part, and to guide our users as they navigate through collections that may contain racist, xenophobic, misogynistic, homophobic, transphobic, ableist, or Eurocentric language or depictions. In the case of the Statement on Accessibility, it recognizes the pervasive form of exclusion against some individuals with different types of disabilities, which can be reflected in the materials, formats, and platforms we select.
We’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts, questions, or sample language to improve these statements by using the feedback form below, or by contacting us at specialcollections@furman.edu.
Stay tuned for updates!