Your Name and Title: Faye Leibowitz (General Languages Catalog Librarian)

Library, School, or Organization Name: University Library System, University of Pittsburgh

Co-Presenter Name(s): Abigail Gulya (English Language Catalog Librarian)

Area of the World from Which You Will Present: United States of America

Language in Which You Will Present: English

Target Audience(s): Librarians, Library Staff, and library users

Short Session Description (one line): Discussing the role that catalogers play in fairly representing topics, and the politicization of subject cataloging.

Full Session Description (as long as you would like):

1. Personal experiences with cataloging biased material
2. Subject Headings as gateway to information
   • Added importance due to increasing online-only patrons
   • Global impact due to shared cataloging
   • Value of controlled vocabulary
3. Ethical responsibilities of the cataloger
   • Provide fair and equal access to information
   • Provide accurate and uncensored information
   • Provide personally and culturally unbiased information
   • Awareness of potential pitfalls due to "cataloger's judgement"
4. Historical perspective
   • Terminology and classification reflects values of a particular historical period
     • LC Classification developed in 1897 - classification of LGBT subjects reflects late 19th century values; bias against Asia and Africa in specificity of topics compared to USA and Europe
     • Terminology is easier to change than classification systems (based on traditional use - shelving print materials)
       • Concept of "literary warrant."
       • Horrible, bigoted, outdated subject headings
         • Ex: "Yellow peril."
         • Ex: "Jewish question."
       • Sandford Berman petitioned Library of Congress to change these subject headings starting in the 1970s
5. Political perspective
   • Even with ethical standards committing librarians to avoid bias, politics can sometimes get in the way
     • LC Subject headings are primarily USA-focused
     • U.S. Congress passed legislation requiring LC subject heading "Illegal aliens" to remain in force
6. Considerations for searching information in the online environment

Websites / URLs Associated with Your Session: N/A