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Decolonization and a more inclusive library

At the University Library of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam we are aware of the inherent colonial biases in the ways we collect, describe, and present our materials. This webpage outlines the library’s activities in fostering a more inclusive library, focusing on collection description, acquisition, and presentation.

Last update: 13 December 2024

By sharing examples and acknowledging challenges, we hope to create awareness around decolonization and invite students and staff to share their ideas and concerns with us.

Harmful and/or offensive descriptions in LibSearch
We strive to provide the most reliable and respectful description of library materials. It is important to note that our library catalogue may contain harmful and/or offensive descriptions, such as subject headings. We are committed to ensuring that such metadata are no longer visible, providing alternative descriptions where possible that respect the people and communities who create, use, and are represented in our library materials.

While acknowledging that our library contains harmful and/or offensive content, we will not remove books or other content from our collections to preserve an unaltered historical record. Similarly, harmful and/or offensive language will not be removed from our metadata, and users can still search with those terms for research purposes.

Think along and share your input

Think along and share your input

Your input is valuable. We invite you to let us know if you come across outdated or offensive descriptions within LibSearch, such as subject headings. Your feedback is important in our ongoing efforts to provide a more inclusive and accurate representation of knowledge. So if you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions, please contact us at ask.ub@vu.nl or via the:

Feedback form (anonymous)

Background

Bias
Our collections are biased towards western values and perspectives, lacking important but marginalized voices and containing outdated and offensive metadata. This directly influences students’ first contacts with academia. What do our collections say about what good research is and who can participate in academia? VU Amsterdam has one of the most culturally diverse student populations in The Netherlands. The University Library is committed to ensuring that all students and staff feel represented and at home in our library while searching our online catalogue or browsing our shelves.

Contribution to decolonization
We recognize that our library is part of wider institutional systems of whiteness and realize that without systemic and cultural changes within the university and the academic world, true decolonization remains unattainable. We take inspiration from the case studies in Crilly & Everitt's Narrative Expansions. Interpreting Decolonisation in Academic Libraries (London, 2022), showing that librarians can contribute to decolonization through practical interventions, collaboration with students and staff, and the development of a critical attitude towards their own role in continuing colonial practices. We furthermore aim to help create awareness of (the effects of) colonialism both within the University Library and the wider VU community through talks, discussions, and a decolonization guide for students and staff.

Towards more inclusive descriptions of library materials

Towards more inclusive descriptions of library materials

Replacement of subject headings is necessary, as in the past we have attributed Dutch subject headings (or keywords) to our library materials that are now considered outdated and/or offensive. In 2023 we have identified as many of such outdated subject headings as possible and have replaced them with respectful alternatives where possible. In the dropdown menu below you can find detailed explanatory notes on our approach.

Our collections described

Contents and presentation of our collections

Would you like more information or do you have suggestions?

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De Boelelaan 1105
1081 HV Amsterdam

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