Content Warning Policy

1. Purpose and scope

The purpose of this policy is to establish a Library-wide approach to the use of content warnings, supporting an inclusive, respectful, and transparent discovery and access environment for all University of Manchester Library resources and subscribed content.

This policy:

• provides an overview of the types of content that may require a content warning prior to access.
• explains what content warnings are.
• offers guidance on how content warnings will be applied and the factors that should be considered.

The University of Manchester Library collects, preserves, and provides access to physical and digital resources acquired through purchase, donation, subscription, and content supplied by publishers and other content providers.

Library collections reflect the historical, social, and cultural contexts in which they were created. As a result, some materials may include language, imagery, or descriptions that reflect outdated, biased, or harmful attitudes, or that describe people or communities inaccurately.

This policy applies to all Library‑owned, Library‑managed, and Library‑subscribed content, whether physical or digital, and to its discovery and access through Library platforms and Library Search.

This policy supports the Library’s commitment to inclusive and anti-racist approaches to collections, metadata, discovery, and access, while upholding intellectual freedom and access to information.

2. Content that may require a content warning

Content warnings may apply across a range of material formats and discovery or access platforms, including physical items, electronic items, digitised and born-digital collections, images, archives, manuscripts, published resources, and subscribed content. Relevant systems may include, but are not limited to, Manchester Digital Collections (MDC), Manchester Digital Exhibitions (MDE), Library Digital Collections (Luna), Library Management Systems (Alma), and Library Search.

Content warnings may be considered where material includes, depicts, or describes sensitive, distressing, discriminatory, or harmful content. Examples may include:

• racist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic, ableist, or otherwise discriminatory language or imagery
• violence, abuse, exploitation, trauma, or death
• colonial, imperial, or culturally harmful representations
• materials that describe people, communities, cultures, or identities inaccurately or in ways now recognised as harmful.
• other content where contextual information would support informed and responsible engagement.

3. Definitions

Content warning

A content warning is a written statement provided prior to access to a resource that alerts users to the presence of material that may be offensive or distressing. Content warnings highlight sensitive topics and allow users to prepare in advance and make informed decisions about engagement with such material.

4. Terminology and approach

The University of Manchester Library uses content warnings to describe the nature of material in a clear way without making assumptions or discouraging engagement. Content warnings do not restrict access to material and are not a form of censorship. They are used to provide context, acknowledge the diversity of user experiences, and support responsible and inclusive access to Library collections.

The terms 'content note' or 'content advisory' may appear in documentation and external platforms, but within this policy and current Library practice, 'content warning' is the preferred and consistent term.

5. Principles

The Library’s approach to content warnings will be guided by the following principles:

Respect for diverse experiences

Library users come from a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and sensitivities. Content warnings acknowledge this diversity and demonstrate respect for individual differences. Academic libraries exist to support and engage the entire university community.

Supporting learning and critical engagement

Library collections represent a variety of perspectives, including material that may be challenging or controversial. The Library supports learning and research by enabling students and researchers to engage critically with such material, with appropriate context and sensitivity.

Wellbeing and care

Exposure to certain topics—such as violence, abuse, trauma, or discriminatory language—may cause distress. Content warnings support user wellbeing by allowing individuals to prepare for engagement with sensitive material and, where appropriate, seek additional support.

Creating inclusive and respectful spaces

Content warnings contribute to inclusive and respectful library spaces by reducing the likelihood that users encounter potentially harmful material unexpectedly.

Intellectual freedom and informed choice

Intellectual freedom is fundamental to the Library’s mission. Content warnings do not restrict access to material or constitute censorship. Instead, they provide contextual information that supports informed choice and responsible engagement.

6. Roles and responsibilities

The Library is responsible for identifying, applying, maintaining, and reviewing content warnings in a transparent and proportionate way. This includes:

• ensuring that decisions about content warnings are made consistently, transparently, and with appropriate professional judgement.
• using evidence from collection knowledge, user feedback, staff expertise, and relevant sector practice to inform decisions
• applying content warnings where they provide meaningful contextual information before access.
• reviewing content warnings periodically to ensure that they remain accurate, proportionate, and appropriate.
• responding to feedback from users and staff as part of ongoing improvement.

Operational guidance for wording, placement, and review is set out in the application and format section below.

7. Application and format

Content warnings will be applied consistently and proportionately across Library collections and platforms.

Clear and transparent labelling

Content warnings will be clearly visible at the point of discovery or access where appropriate.

Contextual information

Content warnings will provide brief explanatory context to help users understand why material may be sensitive or potentially distressing.

User choice

Users retain full autonomy to decide whether to engage with content that includes a content warning.

Balancing access and care

While respecting intellectual freedom and academic enquiry, the Library will consider user wellbeing when deciding whether a content warning is appropriate.

8. Implementation considerations and review

While content warnings serve an important role, the Library recognises potential challenges, including:

• overuse and desensitisation, where frequent content warnings reduce their impact.
• reduced critical engagement if content warnings discourage engagement rather than support informed analysis.
• administrative burden, including the time required to create, maintain, and review content warnings.
• potential stigmatisation, where labelling may unintentionally reinforce stereotypes or negative associations.

The Library will seek to apply content warnings carefully and consistently, avoiding reinforcement of bias and ensuring that content warnings remain meaningful, proportionate, and accurate.

9. Feedback and review

The Content Advisory Group welcomes feedback from users and staff on the use, wording, placement, or absence of content warnings, as well as on the clarity, scope, and application of this policy. Feedback supports the Library’s ongoing commitment to inclusive, responsible, and transparent access to collections.

Requests to add, amend, or remove a content warning, or to clarify or improve this policy, will be reviewed using evidence from collection knowledge, user feedback, staff expertise, and relevant sector practice. Decisions will be documented where appropriate to support consistency and accountability.

This policy will be reviewed annually, or sooner if feedback or significant changes to Library systems, discovery platforms, collections practice, or relevant sector guidance indicate that a review is needed.

10. Policy Review