The UBC Library collections contain historical and contemporary materials documenting human expression and lived experience. Please be aware that some digital and print materials held at UBC Library include content that might be considered harmful or upsetting and may reflect many different systems of oppression and ongoing harms, including ableism, colonization, heteronormativity, homophobia, patriarchy, racism, and xenophobia. As an academic and cultural heritage institution, we may retain such materials in order to preserve the historical record and support research and critical inquiry.
The diverse nature of the UBC Library collections and information resources means that some content may not align with current values of our users, UBC Library, or the University of British Columbia. We are committed to providing a responsive, inclusive, and diverse collection that reflects UBC’s commitment to equity diversity and inclusion (EDI), decolonization, and the educational and research needs of the UBC community.
Acknowledgements
This statement has been adapted from several of our peer institutions, whose harmful language statements have guided us in crafting our own, specifically Ohio State University, Princeton University and the University of British Columbia’s Rare Books and Special Collections.
In addition, UBC Library acknowledges the Cataloging Lab and its extremely useful list of examples of harmful language statements from other libraries’ catalogues.