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The University of Manchester Library

Inclusive Cataloguing at The University of Manchester Library

Some guiding principles for our work (brief version)

  1. Language is not neutral; it is political and reactive to societal change. Any framework for developing terminology in our records needs to be iterative, reflecting social changes and awareness of the impact such changes have on language.
  2. There is no 'one size fits all' approach to specific terminology or content warnings. Library colleagues who catalogue should have tools to make informed decisions about individual pieces of content.
  3. Inclusive cataloguing should be proactive not reactive. This is especially true in relation to discoverability and surfacing of marginalised collections.
  4. There must be a consistency in approach so that discoverability is improved and not derailed/disrupted by a change in process. All new processes and terminology guidance will need to be followed by all staff involved in cataloguing work.
  5. Inclusive terminology is not about erasure. Original language may be harmful or discriminatory, but we need to accurately maintain the historical record. Inclusive cataloguing is about adding context to enhance records and provide information about WHY terminology has been changed or retained. This way users can use records associated with historic material in informed ways.
  6. The institution (UML) has to support staff to do this work. This means giving time in work schedules and supporting emotionally as well as intellectually as necessary to ensure staff are equipped to do the work needed.
  7. We recognise that Library staff do not always have the requisite skill or expertise to make effective decisions on terminology. We will, at times, need the assistance of the people our collections represent (to self-represent). On these occasions, individuals should be treated professionally and properly compensated.
  8. It is imperative that the Library is transparent in its process. This document and others, as necessary, should be digitally available to Library users so that they can engage with the process should they choose to.

Updated 1 March 2023, brief version updated 18 October 2024