Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Anti-Racism, & Accessibility (DEIAA) Work Group

Charge

The Harmful Language Review Subgroup is a working group of the LSP DEIAA Work Group. The subgroup is charged with responding to reports of harmful language, facilitating the approved process for possible changing or removing problematic subject terminology from shared records, and activities that support this work, such as raising awareness about Library of Congress Subject Headings updates and decisions, and liaising with campus libraries as needed. The subgroup makes recommendations to work groups and the LSP Governance Committee based on findings from reports or other subgroup work, and provides support to LSP libraries in partnership with other work groups as needed.

(LSP Governance Committee Approved 7/31/2025)

2025/26 Goals

1. Refine the harmful language reporting process and workflow as reports come in.

2. Raise awareness about Library of Congress updates and decisions.

3. Share relevant resources, trainings, and webinars with members of the Harmful Language Review Subgroup and the broader community.

4. Update the LibGuide as needed to clarify the harmful language reporting process and improve transparency about the process.

5. Communicate with the LSP Program members through the LSP-All list and the DEIAA Work Group blog to improve transparency of our work, promote the reporting form and its use, and inform colleagues of other issues of note.

6. Assess the Harmful Language Review program after launch of the form and process. Gather data as needed.

7. Improve the timeline of selection of new members for the subgroup.