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Policies Ethical Description

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UCLA Library strives to respect everyone who creates, uses and is represented in Library collections. How we describe Library resources directly impacts user discovery and access. The Library understands our past practices have led to biased and/or harmful descriptions. To ensure that the result of our work is inclusive, humanizing and anti-oppressive, we have adopted the following commitments to create and remediate description:

  • We are mindful of the language we choose, using more inclusive and equitable descriptive approaches.

  • We seek to affirm the voices and perspectives of people with marginalized identities.

  • We participate in community-driven efforts to describe the materials we steward.

  • We continue to assess the standards we follow as language and concepts evolve.

  • We engage in critical reflection and commit to continual learning and growth.

UCLA Library welcomes your questions and invites your comments while we improve our descriptive practices. Please use our feedback form to let us know about materials that would benefit from additional context, or could be more accurately described. Thank you.

Learn More

Read in-depth statements about ethical and inclusive descriptive practices from units and initiatives at UCLA.

Associated Content

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    Anti-Racism Initiative (ARI)

    In the summer of 2020, the UCLA Library embarked on an Anti-Racism Initiative (ARI) intended to improve the internal climate and create a just and welcoming environment for all library workers.
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    Strategic Directions

    Our Strategic Directions offer a roadmap for the future, governed by our mission, vision and guiding principles.
  • about

    Provenance Due Diligence Policy and Guidelines

    Policy and guidelines for the provenance of manuscripts, rare books, incunabula, artwork, prints, archival collections and other cultural objects.
  • about

    Collections Policies

    UCLA Library relies on carefully decided policies and procedures to guide our collecting.

Report Harmful Content

Please let us know about materials that would benefit from additional context, or could be more accurately described.
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