Authors

Discussion

This presentation underscores the pivotal role of academic libraries in promoting a more equitable and globally informed scholarly landscape. It explores the process of decolonizing academic libraries, focusing on Slavic Studies collections. Highlighted is the University of California Research Library's initiative to return books to the Jewish Museum in Prague, symbolizing the commitment to redress historical biases.

The presentation delves into UCLA Library's cultural diplomacy events, which showcase smaller Eastern European countries and their contemporary literature. These events serve as a model for actively engaging with underrepresented regions and authors, enriching the Slavic Studies discourse. Challenges such as Russia-centric biases and underrepresentation in collections are discussed alongside strategies like diversification and fostering collaboration. Ethical considerations, including ownership and responsible stewardship, are highlighted.