Tina Gross, NDSU Libraries metadata and cataloging librarian, recently wrote “Search Terms Up for Debate: The Politics and Purpose of Library Subject Headings” for Perspectives on History, the newsmagazine of the American Historical Association.
In July 2020, the editor of Perspectives on History contacted Gross to ask her to write a short article for online publication about subject headings, librarianship and the push to change them. She had been recommended, based on her participation in the documentary film, ”Change the Subject.”
"I honestly would never have thought of writing anything for a publication outside of my field like this, but I’m very glad that they asked me," Gross said.
The American Historical Association sent this message to Gross: "As you can imagine, the AHA has been following the push to remove all kinds of commemoration of the Confederacy and white supremacy – statues, names of Army bases, logos, etc. – with great interest. We're planning a series of short online articles about this movement and we'd like to include a piece from a librarian or archivist working to change biased or exclusionary Library of Congress subject headings."
Gross explains in the article how Library of Congress Subject Headings are used and developed, and how words and phrases are continually improved to specify the topics of library resources.
"For the last century, librarians have worked to make LCSH more inclusive and accurate by replacing offensive or racist terms with language that more fully reflects the identities and experiences of diverse populations...By working to improve LCSH, librarians, historians and advocates strive to make it possible for all library users to have a positive, productive experience," she wrote.
At NDSU Libraries, Gross works to make resources accessible through the online catalog and other search tools, while improving and enhancing access for users.
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