please boost! ! The Queer Metadata Collective is looking for feedback from #catalogers #metadata workers #critcat #critlib #archivists #dh #histsex folks on questions or dillemmas they have encountered while describing individuals/communities/items
Some hypotheticals from working groups:
Classification:
* Some classification systems separate books about gay, lesbian, bisexual (etc) groups into different areas of the library. Should local practices override that in order to group them together?
Authorities
* When is it appropriate to change the name in a person's name authority record from a former to a more recent one? How much detail should be included and where should that detail be left in the record?
Ethical Framework:
* Should local practice always encourage the use of Homosaurus subject headings when the LCSH is not appropriate?
Subject Headings:
* What LC, Sears, or other headings are good? Should I use "insert heading here" or not?
Description:
* People are increasingly aware of avoiding the "oh my god they were roommates" trap (i.e. describing two 'obviously' queer life-long live-in partners as roommates) -- but what about instances where it is not clear if the couple was asexual? Still described as gay?
Again, these are hypothetical questions; we'd like to hear real-life examples any of the issues you've encountered and decisions you've made (or not). It helps to be as specific as possible, but hypothetical fine too.
Any responses or examples will be treated as confidential and used to help each working group answer the needs of the broader community.
You can DM me, email me at my username at mail DOT ubc DOT ca or just reply here!
@brimwats
As a former Page, I have an opinion on the first one. If you're using a system, (eg Dewey,) but group stuff together outside of that categorization, clearly mark so everywhere. Something in the stack. A card where it should be, etc.
My public library had collections and it effed with everyone that knew DDS. Pretty much only the Pages knew where some stuff was.
@brimwats
Ours were supposed to model bookstores. We gave that up after most of the chain bookstores collapsed.
I still have the old diagram to show new Pages the Horrors That Were. :p
But yeah. To reiterate, (I feel like I didn't describe it well in the last post,) my suggestion is that if there are LGBT contemporary politics in 320.something, put a marker there where they can be found and put a marker at the start of where they are where they'd normally be.
bri watson 🌈🏳️🌈
Dawn Tåke 🏳️⚧️