General overview and LCSH

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Something to be aware of is that although terms may be changed they could still be under broader terms (550s) that are offensive/wrong due to the LC Classification scheme and subject trees. Example: Sadomasochism is under the broader term Psychosexual disorders, so while that term is not added to a record by a cataloger, currently Primo is "enhancing" records in HOLLIS to display "other search terms" based on the subject trees and will show "Psychosexual disorders." See this record in Hollis as an example: http://id.lib.harvard.edu/alma/990077274030203941/catalog This is likely a useful enhancement in a lot of cases, but in some cases will lead to offensive terms being displayed.

Submitting LCSH terms for revision

Within Harvard Library the SACO Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Belonging, and Anti-Racism Antiracism Task Group (SACO DIBAR EDIBA Task Group) "is charged with reviewing controlled terms governed by the the Library of Congress Subject Authority Cooperative Program (SACO) for  for possible revision in light of EDIBA principles." Their SACO EDIBA’s wiki page tracks headings under consideration and includes a form for staff to submit terms for the group to review. They ask for the following information with each submission: the existing term, a proposed preferred term, the MMS ID of the corresponding bibliographic record in Alma, and references to any related sources and/or justification/reasoning for the change.  

Please direct faculty, students and all other patrons who find offensive LCSH terms, or who have suggestions for new terms according to these principles, to the HOLLIS Feedback link.  More information on this process may be found under "How do I report an offensive term found in Hollis?" at the Ask a Librarian FAQ page.

There are also some long-standing groups working with the Library of Congress Program for Cooperative Cataloging (PCC) to make the LCSH more inclusive and comprehensive in areas that need more terms for fuller access.

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