Barco Law Library Archives and Special Collections

The materials in our collections, which comprise a part of the cultural and historical record, housed in Barco Law Library’s ASC may contain language or images that represent offensive and objectionable perspectives, values, and norms of a period of time. We do not support or condone these harmful ideas. While we have control over description of our collections, we cannot alter the content of materials within our collections. Our finding aids and metadata records may sometimes re-use language written by the collection’s creator to avoid erasing their actions and to help us learn from the past. Additionally, we are actively working to place any offensive terminology used in context, committed to reassessing and modifying description when possible so that it more accurately and transparently reflects the content of materials that are harmful and triggering in any way and for any reason. This includes placing disclaimers on material at the collection, series, and item level. We know that language can and does perpetuate harm, and the work we are undertaking centers on anti-oppressive practices. We are also making reparative changes, all to ensure that the descriptive language we use upholds and enacts our values of inclusion, diversity, equity, belonging, and accessibility. If you discover harmful or offensive language in our digital collections and collection guides, please email barcoref@pitt.edu.