Library classification systems are taxonomies which are shaped by socio-cultural dynamics and that restrict the ability to represent indigenous voices and/or voices from under-represented groups. A folksonomy is a user-created classification system. It provides the ability to expand library taxonomies. It is based on collaborative tagging (social tagging). Creating a folksonomy could be a great way to supplement library catalogs. More on folksonomy.
Here is an opportunity for your to contribute to enhancing library catalog records. Use this spreadsheet to enter your own descriptions of the texts you are reading in class.
"The primary goal of our collection is to support current and projected educational and curricular needs at Williams. Acquisitions may also be made with regard to the broader scholarly, intellectual, and recreational interests of the College community. We are committed to collecting materials by and about underrepresented groups, and we collaborate with faculty, students, and other members of our campus community to select and acquire these resources." Full Text of the Collection Development Policy
Please help us build a strong library collection. Use the Suggest A Purchase Form to let us know what books you'd like to us buy.
Building on the discussion we had in class, you may want to watch the film Change The Subject. This documentary describes the journey of Dartmouth College students and their quest to get the subject "Illegal Aliens" changed in the Library of Congress Subject Headings system. Following their request, in March 2016, the Library of Congress announced that it would replace "Illegal aliens" with "Noncitizens", but in June 2016 the U.S. House of representatives voted to order the Library of Congress to continue using "Illegal aliens". Since then, legislation and proposals at the federal level have addressed removing "alien" from federal legislation. Still, today the LCSH "Illegal aliens" remains unchanged. At their 2021 Midwinter Meeting, the American Library Association (ALA) issued a resolution urging the Library of Congress to change “Illegal aliens” to “Undocumented Immigrants.” In November 2021, the Library of Congress announced the decision to replace the terms "Aliens" with "Noncitizens," along with replacing the heading "Illegal aliens" with the headings "Noncitizens" and "Illegal immigration."