Authors

Discussion

This presentation explores the ongoing efforts to decolonise and free collections across various UCL Libraries, with a particular focus on UCL School of Slavonic and East European Studies (SSEES) Library. We will highlight the crucial roles of Area Liaison Librarians and cataloguing practices, emphasising the importance of close collaboration between subject specialists and cataloguers. We will discuss a reclassification project that addressed the old-fashioned representation of Central Asian and Caucasus republics at SSEES Library. Despite the end of the Soviet Union in 1991, these countries remained classified as part of Russia in our collection until recent changes. This project demonstrates how careful reclassification can better reflect geopolitical realities and support more accurate representation of different cultures and histories. The presentation will highlight the creation of separate Central Asian collections, showing how Area Liaison Librarians can drive change by recognising and promoting underrepresented regions within area studies libraries. We will explore the difficulties and opportunities in this process, including the need for special knowledge and language skills. Furthermore, we will examine how cataloguing practices can either perpetuate or challenge colonial perspectives. By sharing examples from different sections of UCL Libraries, ranging from Art, Literature and Slavonic studies, we will illustrate how small changes in classification and subject headings can have significant impacts on accessibility and findability of materials. The talk will conclude by discussing the wider implications of these projects for academic libraries, particularly those with specialised area studies collections. We will consider how librarians can balance the preservation of historical context with the need to update old-fashioned or offensive terminology. Additionally, we will explore strategies for engaging with academic communities to ensure that library collections reflect modern understanding of global cultures and histories. Throughout the presentation, we will emphasise the vital collaboration between subject specialists and cataloguers in achieving these goals, demonstrating how this partnership enhances the overall quality and accessibility of UCL's diverse collections.