Content warnings
Content warnings aim to raise awareness of problematic content within our collections. Their purpose is to facilitate engagement with challenging material – not to discourage it.
Why are content warnings important?
Content warnings demonstrate our acknowledgement of harmful language, images, and other damaging resources. We want to ensure we have a consistent approach and established process in place for the application of content warnings.
A content warning is a brief statement placed at the front of an item, collection, or catalogue that alerts and advises readers to potentially sensitive content in a book or collection. These statements allow people the opportunity to prepare themselves, in an informed way, to engage with a given piece of material.
It is important to note that content warnings are not intended to censor or discourage readers from accessing or reading a book; rather they are meant to provide readers with the information they need to make an informed decision about their reading choices.
The purpose of content notes is to facilitate engagement with challenging material – not to discourage it.
Our approach to content warnings is being shaped in consultation with curators, metadata specialists, cataloguers, teaching, learning and student officer for Widening Participation and student union representatives.
Content Warning Policy
Coming soon...
Application
Throughout our online collections you may see content warnings; due to the extent of our holdings we cannot apply content warnings to every item that may include problematic language or terminology.
Working group
A Library Working Group was established in May 2024 to oversee the consideration and application of content warnings within the Library. Its purpose is to manage the various strands of activity related to this initiative. Our goal is to capture and communicate the breadth of the Library’s commitment to diversifying and improving inclusiveness.
Feedback
Contacting the Library about problematic content.
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Searching our collections
Modern collections, Special Collections and beyond.