Decolonising Library Collections: Contemporary Issues, Practical Steps and Examples from London School of Economics

Abstract

Kevin has worked in academic libraries for over fifteen years and has been the Academic Liaison and Collection Development Manager at the London School of Economic and Political Science since 2017. He leads both the library's liaison activity with over twenty departments and research centres and the development of the library's collections. Kevin has presented on decolonisation in libraries at several conferences in the last few years. Prior to joining LSE, Kevin worked at Goldsmiths, University of London and City, University of London in different roles. He can be found on Twitter as @liaisonkevin.

A holistic decolonial lens for library and information studies

“…The biased nature of collections and exclusion of certain types of knowledge is undeniable but to a large extent the weaknesses in collections reflect biases in the research of academic disciplines for whom they have been collected. Collection development policies can be rethought (Wilson, 2022) and collections be recontextualised as themselves not neutral but as outcomes of colonialism and coloniality (Crilly, 2019b). How items are classified and the language used in descriptions are being reconsidered (Cambridge University Decolonising Through Critical Librarianship Group, 2022).…”

“…How items are classified and the language used in descriptions are being reconsidered (Cambridge University Decolonising Through Critical Librarianship Group, 2022). Recent work around decolonising reading lists has supported academics as they seek to refresh their disciplines and their teaching (e.g., Wilson, 2022).…”

“…Collection development policies can be rethought (Wilson, 2022) and collections be recontextualised as themselves not neutral but as outcomes of colonialism and coloniality (Crilly, 2019b). How items are classified and the language used in descriptions are being reconsidered (Cambridge University Decolonising Through Critical Librarianship Group, 2022).…”

“…Recent work around decolonising reading lists has supported academics as they seek to refresh their disciplines and their teaching (e.g. Wilson, 2022).…”