We acknowledge that harmful language and imagery impacts those accessing our collections and has the potential to perpetuate systemic discrimination and cultural bias. Certain collection materials held by the Special Collections and Archives Research Center (SCARC), and the language used to describe them, may include harmful language and overt expressions of bigotry or bias, as well as outdated cultural or geographical references and stereotypes. Providing access to these historical materials does not endorse any attitudes, prejudices, or behaviors depicted therein.
Archivists are not, and cannot, be neutral, and we openly and vehemently reject the biased views represented by harmful language and attitudes in our collections. We recognize, however, these viewpoints illustrate social mindsets and perspectives of their time, and that such stories cannot be erased when providing a truthful history of who we are. We do not intend to hide any aspects of our collections, and believe in the importance of fostering access to our resources in a responsible and transparent way.
We commit to embedding these practices across every facet of our work on a continual basis.
In our instruction and instructional support actions, SCARC faculty and staff convey that archives and special collections are not neutral repositories, but are complex sites shaped by power, privilege, and systemic biases.
We disrupt these traditional paradigms by emphasizing lessons exploring archival and library processes such as appraisal, description, arrangement, and access through an anti-racist lens. In every class experience, we seek to emphasize that historical records reflect the perspectives and priorities of dominant groups, and show how they marginalize, misrepresent, omit, or occlude other experiences.
In our teaching practices with primary sources (which include creating learning objectives, selecting materials, and preparing content and activities), we seek to center underrepresented voices, to promote critical thinking across life experiences, and to create classroom and reference environments where students feel supported and challenged to respectfully engage in difficult conversations about the past and legacies of harm.
The staff of SCARC’s Public Services Unit recognize archives are sites of power, privilege, and systemic racism, and therefore are not - and cannot - be neutral, nor can the archivists who work in them. We further acknowledge that harmful language and imagery impacts those accessing our collections and has the potential to perpetuate systemic discrimination and cultural bias.
In our service to users, both internal and external, Public Services staff and students will seek to disrupt traditional power structures in archival reference by:
The Oregon State University Libraries Special Collections and Archives Research Center (SCARC) maintains and makes available the University's unique collections of manuscripts, archives, photographs, and books. Subject strengths include:
We acknowledge that materials in SCARC collections and the language that describes them may be harmful. We are actively working to address our descriptive practices; for more information please see our SCARC Anti-Racist Actions Statement.
The Special Collections and Archives Research Center public service point is located in the Reading Room on the 5th Floor of the Valley Library at Oregon State University. If you plan to visit us, please check our calendar.
See our Guide to the Special Collections and Archives Research Center for more on how to visit SCARC, find our collections, and research tips.
Your archivists are here to help!
Staff of the library’s Special Collections and Archives Research Center are available for virtual reference consultations. Please email us at scarc@oregonstate.edu if you have questions or would like to set up an appointment.
