Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Statement
At this point in history, there is an abundance of opportunity to celebrate, evolve, and expand library, archives, and museum collections by way of equitable access and inclusivity. I recognize my position as a queer, mixed-race, white-passing woman with invisible illnesses as one that affords me many privileges and insights that are valuable to furthering those institutions.
While completing my MLIS, I prioritized coursework that moved beyond the typical Western frameworks. Library, archives, and museum systems were built by and for wealthy and educated White men, but that is no longer an accurate picture of who these systems serve. I was privileged to take advantage of the University of Washington’s robust series of LIS courses focusing on Indigenous information systems and knowledge, as well as course on information in the scope of social justice addressing information equity, critical race theory in information services, restorative justice in archives, and cultural humility, intersectionality, and positionality.
During my archives processing work at the Fine Art Museums of San Francisco, I identified gaps in exhibition records descriptions where more appropriate agents and subjects could be applied. In practicing this form of reparative description, I was able to amend- but not erase- the language historically used to describe these exhibitions. For example, an exhibition of photographs of the Navajo Nation would be assigned the agent Diné, the name the Navajo people use for themselves. Women artists, collectors, and curators were frequently referred to by Mrs. [Husband’s Name]; a new agent using their own given name was attributed to those records.
I am committed to ensuring collections accurately represent and describe marginalized people who are historically mischaracterized and worse. I see opportunities to collaborate with interpretation professionals and community partnerships to ensure our work aligns with the way people/groups identify and talk about themselves. Libraries, archives, and museums are treasure troves of information but without accountability and efforts towards equitable access and inclusivity, they will not be the trusted repositories and resources communities need.
I do my part in staying up to date on industry efforts towards a more just and inclusive way of doing our work. In my special collections and archives work, I will continue to reference resources like the Cataloging Lab’s Problem LCSH, Harvard’s Guidelines for Inclusive and Conscientious Description, and UCLA’s Toward Ethical and Inclusive Descriptive Practices in Library Special Collections. I am proud to have started conversations around accessibility in physical spaces and the importance of open digital access.
I have participated in and spearheaded DEIA initiatives at many places of employment:
- Attended monthly IDEA Committee meetings at the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
- Participated in annual LGBTQ+ Faculty & Staff Focus Groups at Town School for Boys
- Established the Town School for Boys' Gender-Sexuality Alliance in partnership with the Director of Community Building & Inclusion
- Served as an advisor for the Gender-Sexuality Alliance at Town School for Boys from 2019-2023, creating developmentally appropriate presentations for students
- Assisted in organizing the annual Independent School PRIDE Parade contingency with Town School for Boys, 2019-2023
I aim to work for an institution that puts DEIA education into practice and look forward to learning, reflecting, and contributing as a member of that community.