Presenters

Christine Bone, Cataloguing Librarian, University of Manitoba Libraries
Sharon Farnel, Metadata Coordinator, University of Alberta Libraries
Sheila Laroque, Academic Library Resident, University of Alberta Libraries
Brett Lougheed, University Archivist and Digital Curator, University of Winnipeg Archives and Records Centre

Description

Libraries and archives in Canada are taking up the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to unsettle our practice by addressing the ways in which established subject heading systems perpetuate colonial beliefs and structures. In this webinar, two decolonizing initiatives at different stages – the Association for Manitoba Archives (AMA) and the University of Alberta Libraries (UAL) – will discuss their work to more accurately, appropriately, and respectfully represent Indigenous peoples and contexts in subject terminology.

The Association for Manitoba Archives (AMA) has created a database – the Manitoba Archival Information Network (MAIN) – where member Archives can deposit their archival descriptions, providing a central search mechanism for users. The AMA also loaded the Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) into MAIN, so a controlled subject vocabulary could be used in the descriptions. The membership quickly pointed out issues with LCSH terms related to Indigenous peoples. In 2013, the AMA-MAIN LCSH Working Group was formed to address these issues. Brett Lougheed and Christine Bone will discuss the work of the group, including the consultation process; as well as the specific changes to LCSH that were ultimately made for MAIN.

In 2016 the University of Alberta Libraries (UAL) struck a Decolonizing Description Working Group (DDWG) to determine what processes and consultations would be needed to enable UAL to appropriately describe resources by, for, and about Indigenous peoples. As a result of the working group recommendations, the UAL now has a full time academic resident librarian who is focused on building relationships with local communities, creating the foundation for an appropriate process of engagement. Sheila Laroque and Sharon Farnel will illustrate that by including input and consultation from Indigenous communities throughout the process, the intention is to create a more inclusive and respectful relationship.

Works in Progress: An OCLC Research Occasional Webinar Series
These webinars are exclusively for OCLC Research Library Partners, but the recordings are publicly available to all.

What are we working on? What are you working on? OCLC Research Library Partners are invited to participate in Works in Progress: An OCLC Research Occasional Webinar Series to talk about work happening in OCLC Research – we'd like to present our work informally and get feedback from you, our Partners. We'd also like this to be a venue for Partner institutions. What are you working on that everyone should know about? What input would help you move forward? Let us know!