For Archives
These resources will be of special interest to archivists. They offer information on building inclusive collections, filling in historical gaps, consciously editing descriptions, reviewing access policies, and considering metadata. Click the image to view each resource.
Access Policies for Indigenous
Archival Materials
Article
This article features four case studies pertaining to the management of Indigenous artifacts and materials within collections. It is based on the "Protocols for Native American Archival Materials," which was developed by the Society of American Archivists Native American Archivist section.
Evaluation: Each of the four different institutions featured in the case studies are varied yet each typically works with Indigenous materials. Most are based directly on the Protocols, while some take the foundation of the Protocols and more fully develop them to be sensitive to Indigenous artifacts or their access. One case study breaks down the history of these policies and how they have developed over time. This article would be very helpful to museum professionals and archivists who may have materials relating to Indigenous history within their collections.
Digitizing Indigenous History
Article
This article breaks down the nuts and bolts of curating and co-curating documents relevant to Indigenous history.
Evaluation: This is a helpful resource to understand why change has occurred
(and needs to continue) with regard to curating and/or digitizing Indigenous collections. The author lists several resources that can aid with digitizing and working with tribal communities, such as the Murkurtu content management systems (CMS).
This is an older article, from 2014, but the information can still lead archivists
and museum professionals to ideas, ways of engaging with tribal communities,
and point readers toward resources that can aid in this process. It might also be a way to review how much improvement has taken place since that time.
Diversifying Collections With Oral History
Article
Oral history is a hot ticket right now. This article features three case studies using oral history to diversify their archival collections. It also offers a brief overview of oral history and its benefits.
Evaluation: Forget whatever you think you know about oral history. This article paints a broader picture of the uses and methods of oral history. Archivists and historians are doing innovative work with oral history, which goes beyond the traditional one-on-one Q/A interview. The author points this out, particularly as one example of how oral histories can diversify collections. There is also an intriguing discussion about what constitutes “community” and how this can be reflected within the collections.
Diversity & Recordkeeping
A Special Issue
This special issue of The International Journal of Information, Diversity,
& Inclusion features five articles, one editorial, and several book reviews relevant to the topic of diversity within the archives or other historical institutions and settings.
Evaluation: Two highlights are articles about whiteness on the genealogy web, decolonizing archival descriptions, and an article with a British perspective on anti-racism and whitewashing. The editorial section is very thought-provoking with a feature on diversity in recordkeeping.
Inclusive Metadata: Word Power
Article
This article discusses some ways that metadata can be used more inclusively. It focuses on the University of Texas at Austin Libraries and illustrates how they are implementing these new policies for metadata.
Evaluation: This article is quite extensive in its explanation of archival tasks, such as cataloging, describing, or using metadata, and how they can be misused in ways that attach biases to them. It offers insight on new frameworks being used to address these issues and explains what the typical processes entail, including suggestions for adjustments to garner increased inclusivity.
(Re)Descriptions of Marginalized Histories
Article
[Disclosure: Disturbing language used in historical context to illustrate the rewriting of descriptions.]
This was a panel presentation in August 2018 for Archives*Records 2018,
hosted by the Society of American Archivists Conference. The document is
the slideshow that accompanied the physical presentation. Panelists include Annie Tang (Chapman University), Dorothy Berry (Houghton Library), Kelly Bolding (Princeton Library), and Rachel E. Winston (University of Texas at Austin). Each of the panelists presents their re-processing projects related to rewriting descriptions and finding aids to feature culturally inclusive language.
Evaluation: As historians, archivists, and museum professionals, we frequently encounter offensive and racist language in primary sources from the past.
Without erasing history by sanitizing the offensive language, this presentation offers a how-to guide geared toward archival processors who want to consider
the power of words and language within their collections. Doing so can make previously hidden artifacts or documents discoverable and more accessible. Descriptions can either help or highlight, and the panelists point this out in the presentation.
What We Don't Have: Transparency and Diversity in Archival Collections
Article
Co-written by archivists and faculty at Carnegie Mellon University, the authors focus on how to incorporate diversity into an archive that seems to be lacking in diversity among its collections and ways to maneuver around this obstacle.
Evaluation: The writers share personal insights gained as they worked to develop an exhibit on diversity but instead discovered their own archive was lacking in diversity documentation. They point out that these holes exist for a reason and this is part of the story: Why is the information missing and what does this say about systemic racism?
They also used existing gaps as jumping off points to engage in research that could fill the holes. Each of these points exemplify how archival work can be reparative. They titled their exhibit What We Don’t Have and point out the fine balance between internal change and community collaboration yet both are necessary.