Case Study Participant 9
1. What would you say are the soft skills or attributes and types of knowledge that are necessary for getting started with decolonisation in a role that is similar to yours?
Good communication skills, self-awareness (especially of your own blind spots), empathy, being part of a team, networking, enthusiasm, professionalism.
2. Please give examples of where soft skills and personal attributes have proven useful to you during any stage of collection-based decolonisation.
Our subject remapping project is very much a collaborative effort. Sometimes there is no clear guidance on changing a subject heading we deem to be harmful or offensive. We need to communicate as a group to explore these in depth: discussing some potentially sensitive subjects, being mindful that these sensitive areas may have been experienced at first hand by members of the group, and thinking more broadly about how replacement terms might also be harmful.
3. How can someone starting out in a similar role get an introduction to collection-based decolonisation and develop a basic skill-set/ knowledge/ awareness? What can this process entail? Please suggest any resources and approaches.
There are numerous webinars available freely online for those wanting an introduction in decolonisation. There are also a lot of articles from libraries on the subject and thesauri created by various communities. There are also lots of related things being reported in the press. I would say read as widely as possible on it and try to stay up-to-date.
4. How does an advanced collection-based decolonisation skillset/ expert knowledge look like from your perspective (including soft and specialised skills)?
As a cataloguer, I’d say my knowledge of subject headings has increased hugely, as have my technical skills with MarcEdit and more advanced functions of Excel. My understanding of decolonisation and anti-racist practices has increased dramatically.
5. How can someone in a similar role further develop their skills/ knowledge/ awareness in collection-based decolonisation and build an expert skill-set? What can this process entail? Please suggest any resources and approaches.
Attend institutional webinars to gain an understanding of decolonisation; join working groups within the library; talk to subject experts (subject librarians); shadow people undertaking subject remapping work; read widely and undertake training in the technical skills required.
6. Please add any other thoughts or advice you may have for those who want to develop their skills and knowledge in collection-based decolonisation.
Be open minded and prepared to challenge your own thinking/ find your own blind spots.