Denver Public Library local studies diversity audit 29 July 2025
Between 2020 and 2022, Special Collections and Archives staff at the Denver (Colorado) Public Library designed and oversaw a diversity audit of their nearly 6,000 manuscript and photograph collections. Abby Hoverstock, Manager of Archives, and Laura Ruttum Senturia, Archives Access Supervisor, led the process. Audit results highlighted the need for reparative cataloging to collection descriptions, among other issues. Their team formed a Diversity Audit Action Committee to research, propose, and adopt necessary descriptive changes for a variety of people and communities in their collections.Katie MacKendrick, Cataloging Supervisor, provides information during the Q&A session.
Harmful language notes
Here is the specific text used for the Denver harmful language notes. Ideally use 520_4 for these, but choose an option that displays for the public rather than one which is not see. Consider using a general note.
Harmful title
245 [indicator 1] [indicator 2] $a [title] : $b [rest of title] / $c [statement of responsibility] $i Title transcribed from item.
Harmful content (general)
500 – Content warning: contains [specific type of harmful] language. The [content type] is recorded from the perspective of the [author, creator, etc.], who makes frequent judgments about the effort, character, and worth of the individuals recorded.
Harmful geographic content(i.e., location name)
500 – Content warning: contains [specific type of harmful] language. Place names reflect both the racial stereotypes and social prejudices of the era in which they were assigned.