Policies and Practices

Like most academic libraries, the Library uses Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) to describe subjects and standardize searching across our catalogue. However, some LCSH terms are biased, outdated and harmful. 

We are supporting ongoing efforts in Ontario college libraries to change these terms at a system level. We are also taking action here at our own Library by replacing offensive or harmful language as part of our routine description work. For example, the Library is using Homosaurus, an international linked data vocabulary of LGBTQ2S+ terms, to describe material with sexual and gender diversity content.

This process is complex and time-consuming, both at the provincial and local level. As we work towards lasting change, we know that Library users may still come across offensive or harmful language. We have developed an overarching statement that acknowledges this and highlights our ongoing work:

The Library recognizes the controlled vocabulary of library classification systems is shaped within a settler-colonial, patriarchal, hetero-normative, ableist framework, and racist, Eurocentric ideology. We are actively working to acknowledge, amend and/or update unacceptable language with contemporary descriptions.

The Library is currently partnering with 23 Ontario colleges to decolonize controlled vocabulary used for cataloguing Indigenous content. As this work represents a large structural change at the level of the Library of Congress, we anticipate this will be a long process.

It’s important for the Library to track how different identities, protected by the Ontario Human Rights Code, are represented in our collections. Audits help us measure the diversity of our collections and identify gaps needing attention.

In collaboration with Humber's EDI Taskforce: Curriculum and Programs Subcommittee, we conducted a sample audit of eBooks from five Humber programs:

• Child and Youth Care
• Criminal Justice
• Early Childhood Education
• Health Care
• Social Services

This sample audit helped us establish a methodology for future audits — including lists of useful keywords and search terms developed in consultation with Indigenous Education & Engagement (IE&E) and Innovative Learning. The results and findings will also act as a benchmark for our collections moving forward.

As we continue to refine our audit process, it will become easier to quantify and compare the diversity of Library collections over the years.