Harmful Content Warning Statements for Library Archives: Implementing an EDI Initiative

Abstract

ABSTRACT Harmful content warning statements, which alert the public that materials with harmful language or images are present, may be considered to have their roots in the film industry and are beginning to be utilized in library archives as an Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion initiative. This paper will provide an historical overview of those roots. Its main thrust is to serve as a case study or model of the implementation of harmful content warning statements for Irvine Sullivan Ingram Library at the University of West Georgia in order to help other librarians and archivists who desire to craft similar statements for their institutions. The paper will also introduce examples at other institutions and close with a discussion of the opportunities and difficulties that harmful content warning statements present.