At the University of Redlands, we are addressing potentially harmful or insensitive language in special collections materials by:
Updating Descriptions
While we aim to describe our collections as inclusively as possible, older collection descriptions were not always written with this idea in mind, and language is always evolving. As we work to review our collections, we will carefully review and update any outdated and harmful language in our collection descriptions whenever possible.
Flagging Collections with Harmful Materials
In an effort to preserve the collections’ historical integrity, items with potentially harmful or insensitive language or imagery will not be removed from collections. When a collection contains items with potentially harmful or insensitive language or imagery, we will include a notice in the collection description.
Retaining Harmful Language When Historically Relevant
There are some instances in which we may maintain potentially harmful or outdated language in collection descriptions. In such cases, this language will be retained to more faithfully document and present the historical context surrounding their creation or the attitudes of their creators. Cases where we may retain this language may include:
- Previously published material. This may include titles or content of books, films, articles, or songs, among other items.
- Organization names
- Writing from individuals self-identifying with terms that may be seen as outdated today
- Language used from original historical documents to describe or contextualize a collection. In these instances, such text will be clearly marked as a quotation to distinguish it from text written by the Armacost Library
This is intended to be a living document. Language constantly evolves, and the terms that we use today may no longer be seen as acceptable some day in the future. If you notice an item or collection described with harmful or insensitive language, please contact us at library@redlands.edu.
This statement has been adapted from the Statement on Harmful Content in Archival Collections from Drexel University Libraries.
