Solutions to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Access (DEIA) Metadata Issues in Discovery Discussion
FacilFaeCAUG August 30, 2023
Discussion Facilitators: Marcia Barrett & Darren Hall
eCAUG August 2023
Facilitators: Marcia Barrett, UC Santa Cruz; Darren Hall, Citrus College
Metadata is not universal nor is it neutral
The framework of national and international metadata standards in which metadata creators work has served to uphold many forms of oppression
Metadata Standards
Library of Congress Subject Headings
Library of Congress Classification
Descriptive Standards
Historical Practices in Special Collections & Archives
Information from a survey of University of California Libraries metadata creators & other staff
Updated LC Subject Headings
Some Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) have been updated to reflect historical accuracy:
Old LCSH: Japanese Americans – Evacuation and relocation, 1942-1945
New LCSH: Japanese Americans – Forced removal and internment, 1942-1945
Old LCSH: Slaves
New LCSH: Enslaved persons
A Trend in LCSH Updates
People are people, not one aspect of an identity or characteristic:
Old LCSH: Whites Old LCSH: Black people
New LCSH: White people New LCSH: White people
LCSH Updates
Old LCSH: Tulsa race riot, Tulsa, Okla, 1921
New LCSH: Tulsa Race massacre, Tulsa, Okla., 1921
Old LCSH: Problem youth
New LCSH: At-risk youth
Problematic Updates to LCSH
Old LCSH: Illegal aliens
New LCSH: Noncitizens and Illegal immigration
Old LCSH: Aliens
New LCSH: Noncitizens
LCSH Not Updated Comprehensively
LCSH Slaves has been updated to Enslaved persons but these related headings have not yet been updated:
Child slaves
Fugitive slaves
Slaveholders
Slave traders
LCSH Not Yet Updated
Indians of North America
Indians of Mexico Indians of Central America
Indians of South America Indians of the West Indies
LC announcement: Evaluation of Headings for Indigenous Peoples
Interim guidance and more: Subject Headings for Indigenous Peoples
Alma & Primo Solutions to DEIA Metadata Issues in Discovery
Have you done any metadata remediation?
Do you have automated processes for identifying problematic metadata?
Do you have automated process for resolving problematic metadata?
What solutions have you employed to address DEIA issues with library metadata?
What kind of barriers have you run into when trying to make metadata more inclusive or trying to address DEIA metadata issues?
What are ways to get around barriers to making metadata more inclusive, accurate, representative?
Have you done any Primo configuration that addresses any DEIA metadata issues?
How can consortia libraries work together to expedite more inclusive language in Discovery?
How can we use the NERS process to address some of these issues?
Accessibility Data
Utilize MARC Fields for Accessibility
Field 341 uses controlled vocabulary to carry information about the primary mode of access and alternative mode(s) of access. These terms could be used to create Primo facets.
341 \0 $a auditory $b captions $2 sapdv
Accessibility data for a video – the content access mode is auditory and the video includes
captions
Controlled vocabulary is from Schema.org Accessibility Properties for Discoverability Vocabulary
Resources for Accessibility Data
Primo Customizations for Braille & Large Print / Northwestern University
https://github.com/nulib/primo-local/blob/main/README.md
GitHub repository documentation for customizing a local resource type in Primo for Large Print and Braille resources.
OLAC Best Practices for Cataloging DVD-Video and Blu-ray Discs, Objects, Streaming Media, [etc.]
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/olac-publications/28/
See Chapter 7 for instructions for recording accessibility data
Schema.org Accessibility Properties for Discoverability Vocabulary
https://www.w3.org/community/reports/a11y-discov-vocab/CG-FINAL-vocabulary-20230306/
Mapping LCSH to Alternative Subject Headings / Northwestern University Libraries
https://github.com/nulib/primo-local/blob/main/README.md
An ongoing list of local authorities mapped from LCSH, instructions for creating local authorities in Alma, MARC authority record files, and some normalization rules for batch updating headings in bibliographic records.
Metadata Best Practices for Trans and Gender Diverse Resources / The Trans Metadata Collective
https://zenodo.org/record/6829167#.Y_-vLHbMJZc
Best practices for the description, cataloging, and classification of information resources as well as the creation of metadata about trans and gender diverse people, including authors and other creators.
Resources for Subject Headings
DEIA Resources
Homosaurus: An International LGBTQ+ Linked Data Vocabulary
DEIA Resources and Training for Cataloging, Metadata, and Discovery / University of California Libraries Ethical & Inclusive Metadata Practices in UC Library Search (a work in progress!)
List of Statements on Bias in Library and Archives Description / The Cataloging Lab
https://cataloginglab.org/list-of-statements-on-bias-in-library-and-archives-description/
DEIA Resources
Inclusive Metadata Initiatives / University of Central Oklahoma
https://library.uco.edu/inclusivemetadata
List of Statements on Bias in Library and Archives Description / The Cataloging Lab
https://cataloginglab.org/list-of-statements-on-bias-in-library-and-archives-description/
A Cataloging Lab compilation of statements from libraries and archives on harmful or offensive language in description and bias in cataloging.
Northwestern University Libraries Projects
https://libguides.northwestern.edu/c.php?g=1152430&p=8411340
A list of DEIA-related metadata projects and links to GitHub repositories for anti-racism subject headings and accessibility fields in Primo
https://alair.ala.org/handle/11213/14582
Includes a timeline of the steps related to the eventual change of LCSH “Illegal aliens” and the results of a survey on what libraries are doing to address the continued use of LCSH “Illegal aliens.”
LC announcement Evaluation of Headings for Indigenous Peoples
https://www.loc.gov/aba/cataloging/subject/Evaluation-Headings-Indigenous-Peoples.pdf
LC Website Subject Headings for Indigenous Peoples
https://www.loc.gov/aba/cataloging/subject/indigenous.html