Ephemeral Material
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Feminist and Queer Information Studies Reader
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While often considered neutral by information seekers, the systems that power the searching of information (subject terminology, search engine algorithms, etc.) have been created by humans, and so are inherently biased. This is important to keep in mind as you navigate these spaces. Here are a few things to consider:
- Does the language you are using to find resources hold any social and/or political bias? What sort of language might have been used throughout history when talking about your topic? Terms like "Gay" vs. "Gay and Lesbian" vs. "LGBTQ+" vs. "Queer" bring this to light - try performing individual searches with a variety of similar keywords and/or subjects to see how your results differ.
- How does the search tool you are using make money? How might that influence the ranking of the results you see?
- Who are the primary users of the search tool you are using? Does this change what is included, or how one might perform a search?
The language used to describe identities in library classification systems and within resources themselves, especially resources that are representing an earlier time in history, can be uniquely damaging to individuals who hold those same identities, notably LGBTQ+ persons and people of color. It is important for students and researchers at all levels to be aware of the impact descriptive language can have on their research processes. You may find that you need to use out of date and/or offensive terminology to find materials that fulfill your research needs. Instead of ignoring the affect of these structures, build in time to rest, reflect, and re-set as necessary.
The topic of bias in classification structures is often discussed within the field of critical librarianship, a movement of library workers dedicated to bringing social justice principles into our work in libraries - find out more at critlib.org
Scholarly Articles about Library Classification and Bias:
Drabinski, Emily. "Queering the Catalog: Queer Theory and the Politics of Correction" The Library Quarterly (Chicago) 83, no. 2 (2013): 94-111
Olson, Hope A. "The Power to Name: Representation in Library Catalogs." Signs: Journals of Women in Culture and Society 26, no. 3 (2001): 639-68.
Howard, Sara A., and Knowlton, Steven A. "Browsing through Bias: The Library of Congress Classification and Subject Headings for African American Studies and LGBTQIA Studies." Library Trends 67, no. 1 (2018): 74-88.
Roberto, K.R. "Inflexible Bodies: Metadata for Transgender Identities." Journal of Information Ethics 20, no. 2 (2011); 56-64.
Just like identity based communities have created their own archives to help tell their own stories, LGBTQ+ communities in information studies have come together to produce scholarship and descriptive terminology that more accurately and humanely describe materials that share the experiences of people with LGBTQ+ identities. Explore the linked vocabulary and learn more at homosaurus.org
Michelle Caswell is an archival studies scholar and professor who works to uncover the ways systems of oppression influence the work of archivists and how researchers are impacted by archival environments. The infographic below outlines many ways that white supremacy shows up in archives, and suggests actions to counter this pernicious force of oppression. While working with and within archives, take time to reflect on where your privilege might show up, and where bias might be impacting the way it feels to research in these spaces with your unique set of identities.
