Where Do I Belong? Creating an Inclusive Metadata Policy

Abstract

Inclusiveness and honoring different cultures that reflect our patrons has been discussed in many different venues in the last few years. The staff of the Brigham Young University Library recognized the need for our metadata to demonstrate the commitment we have to honor others and to create a community of belonging. The staff also recognized that a policy would provide a roadmap for how to embark on fixing legacy metadata and how to move forward in creating metadata that reflects our core values in the library and at the university. This case study details how we developed an inclusive metadata policy and its accompanying documentation. We provide examples of how the policy is being implemented and the steps we have taken to help library staff understand cultural humility and how it can be applied in their work.