Editorial meetings decision

To: Policy, Training and Cooperative Programs Division, Library of Congress 

We, a group of SACO Funnel Coordinators and catalogers, are reaching out to express our concerns about the recently announced changes to the frequency and content of LCSH Editorial Meetings. The current policy of open monthly meetings, in place since August 2021 and regularly attended by 30-40 library community members, has been a welcome forum to discuss the intricacies of subjects and classification. The open meetings have demystified the SACO process for many librarians, providing a learning experience and making them more comfortable with proposing new headings or suggesting changes to existing headings due to literary warrant, cultural context, or a change in definition. Librarians appreciate the lively conversations on a broad range of options, and the opportunity to shape the vocabularies we all use, from proposing single headings to creating special lists to debating new guidelines for topical subdivisions.

Unfortunately, the announced shift to quarterly meetings—with the attendant change in scope to discuss LCSH more broadly instead of individual proposals—will undermine the benefits mentioned above. While lists will continue to be processed on a monthly basis and PTCP and other LC librarians will meet to discuss them, reducing external librarian attendance to a quarterly basis will result in less librarian input on individual proposals, vastly diminishing the possibilities for learning and shared decision-making. Although the staff of PTCP are exceedingly knowledgeable, they aren’t experts in every topic, and the input from the diverse voices of those who attend the meetings should be considered a valuable part of the decision-making process. We are excited about the decision to hold meetings with opportunities for feedback on large projects and future directions of LC vocabularies. But we believe those meetings should not take the place of editorial meetings where specific proposals are reviewed and discussed. The editorial meetings as they currently exist allow for open discussion, while the proposed new format seems to close that channel of communication in favor of a more prescriptive discussion. This change seems like a step backward in terms of transparent communication from the Library of Congress, and will likely result in fewer catalogers regularly attending and participating, resulting in greater siloing of decision-making. 

The robust conversations taking place during editorial meetings and on the SACO email list point to a need for more training and more communication. We respectfully request that the Library of Congress pause its decision to change the format and frequency of the Editorial Meetings, pending wider discussion and input from the library community. We also encourage LC to explore alternate ways to invite librarians into the discussions around LCSH revisions, for example, through scheduling regular open office hours for consultation and collaboration. We would welcome the opportunity to be partners in collectively brainstorming ways to lessen the administrative burden on the Library of Congress, while keeping lines of communication open.

Sincerely,

Signed:

  1. Violet Fox, Co-Chair, Medical Funnel
  2. Allison Bailund, Co-Coordinator, Comics & Fiction Funnel
  3. Maya Espersen, Co-Chair, Gender & Sexuality Funnel
  4. Nerissa Lindsey, Chair, California State University SACO Funnel
  5. Adam Schiff, Co-Chair, Gender & Sexuality Funnel
  6. Margaret Breidenbaugh, Co-Chair, Gender & Sexuality SACO Funnel, and Co-Chair, Occult/Esoteric SACO Funnel
  7. Jasmin Shinohara, Chair, Israel/Judaica SACO Funnel
  8. Naomi Shiraishi, Co-Coordinator, CJK SACO Funnel
  9. Christopher Thomas, Administrator, Law Funnel
  10. Deborah Tomaras, Co-Coordinator, Comics & Fiction Funnel
  11. Kat Balek, Co-Chair, Medical Funnel
  12. Alexis Weiss, Co-Chair, Atla Funnel
  13. Jill Annitto, Co-Chair, Atla Funnel
  14. Leo Martin, Coordinator, SACO Music Funnel
  15. Sara Levinson, Coordinator, LAIPA Funnel
  16. Michelle Cronquist, Co-Chair, African American SACO Funnel
  17. Denise Soufi, Co-Chair, MEIS SACO Funnel
  18. Jonathan Durr, Co-Coordinator, South Asia SACO Funnel
  19. Gautham Reddy, Co-Coordinator, South Asia SACO Funnel
  20. Jen Froetschel, Coordinator, WRLC Funnel
  21. Bronwen Bitetti, Coordinator, Northern New England SACO Funnel
  22. Iman Dagher, Co-Chair, MEIS SACO Funnel
  23. Sherman Clarke, Coordinator, Art SACO
  24. Guy Frost, Co-Coordinator, Occult/Esoteric Funnel and Georgia SACO Representative
  25. Heghine Hakobyan, Slavic Funnel Coordinator
  26. Julie Renee Moore, California State University, Fresno
  27. Nancy Sack, University of Hawaii at Manoa
  28. Treshani Perera, MLIS
  29. Isabelle Schenkel, Slavic Funnel
  30. Adrian Williams, Cataloging & Metadata Librarian, University of Kentucky
  31. Mackenzie Johnson, Cataloguing Librarian, University of Saskatchewan
  32. Chloe Misorski, Cataloging Librarian, Cleveland Museum of Art, Gender & Sexuality Funnel member
  33. Rex Hughes, Member, Comics & Fiction Funnel
  34. Abby Dover, Northwestern University, Comics and Fiction Funnel member
  35. R. Bernard Hall, Jr., African American SACO Funnel
  36. Rachel Shaevel, Member, African American SACO Funnel
  37. Sandra M. DeSio, Member, Comics & Fiction Funnel
  38. Jean L. Cooper, University of Virginia Library; African American Subject Funnel
  39. William Adame, Member of the Comics and Fiction Funnel
  40. Linda Dausch, Chicago Public Library, Member, African American SACO Funnel
  41. Adrienne Seely, Cataloger, Chicago Public Library; Member-African American and Comics & Fiction SACO Funnels
  42. Natalie Moller, Comics & Fiction Funnel
  43. Beth Carmichael, African American SACO Funnel
  44. Bobby Bothmann, Minnesota State University, Mankato (Minnesota NACO and Graphic Novel NACO/SACO Funnels)
  45. Kaylin Blount, Administrative Coordinator, African American SACO Funnel
  46. Librarian, Member of South Asia SACO Funnel
  47. David Motson, Head of Resource Description, Univeristy of Michigan Law Library
  48. Eric Willey, Illinois State University
  49. Mike Monaco, The University of Akron / Ohio NACO funnel
  50. Joseph Nicholson, Atkins Library, UNC Charlotte
  51. Rachel Newlin, Cataloging Librarian, Schaumburg Township District Library
  52. Caitlin Bakker, University of Regina
  53. Ann Owen, Digital Services Librarian, Sacred Heart Seminary & School of Theology, Hales Corners, WI
  54. Mary S. Rausch, West Texas A&M University
  55. Jenna Freedman, zine cataloger, Barnard Library
  56. Stefan Hintersteininger, Metadata Librarian, Simon Fraser University
  57. Tina Gross, member of LAIPA funnel
  58. Adam Cohen, MLIS, MRU
  59. Gretchen Neidhardt. Metadata and Digital Projects Librarian
  60. Peggy Griesinger, University of Notre Dame Hesburgh Libraries
  61. Lauren DuBois, Rice University
  62. Ronja Zweifel, University of Virginia cataloging librarian, Gender & Sexuality Funnel member
  63. Allison Rich, Head of Cataloguing, John Carter Brown Library
  64. Keahi Adolpho, Processing Archivist, Virginia Commonwealth University Libraries
  65. Brandis Malone, Special Collections Cataloging Librarian, University of Tulsa McFarlin Library
  66. Mary Jinks, Director of Technical Services, UIW Mabee Library
  67. Aurora Vega, Tulane University, Comics and Graphic Novels Funnel
  68. Diana DiPierro, Cataloging Librarian and Technical Services Coordinator, La Grange Park Public Library
  69. Sam Sfirri, Penn Libraries, University of Pennsylvania
  70. Kiana Borjian, K-8 Librarian, St. Paul’s Episcopal School
  71. Brinna Michael, Cataloging and Metadata Librarian, Emory University
  72. Alyssa Nance, Cataloging and Metadata Librarian, Furman University, Gender & Sexuality SACO Funnel
  73. Mary Cornell, Cataloger, Cataloging Maintenance Center, member of the Gender and Sexuality Funnel and Occult/Esoteric SACO Funnel
  74. Tamara Skwierczynski, Cataloging Supervisor Grayslake Area Public Library
  75. Katie Lynn, Technical Services Librarian, UND Thormodsgard Law Library
  76. Bryce Kieren Healy, Cataloger & Classifier Librarian, Boston Public Library
  77. Michael Gorman, University Librarian Emeritus, California State University, Fresno
  78. Melissa Rucker, University of the Incarnate Word
  79. Jaylyn McCoy, Aurora Public Library, Member Occult/Esoteric SACO Funnel
  80. Laikin Dantchenko, Sound Recordings Cataloging Librarian, Indiana University
  81. Rhea Heaven, Technical Services, Revere Public Library
  82. Holly Wheeler, Cataloging & Metadata Specialist, Mt. Hood Community College
  83. Leslie J. Collie, Systems & Cataloging Librarian, The Huntington Library
  84. Kathleen McElhinney, Cataloging/Metadata Librarian, University of South Dakota & member of Gender & Sexuality Funnel
  85. Kathleen Boyd, Member Comics and Fiction Funnel
  86. Jack Mulvaney, Discovery Librarian, Boston University
  87. Lisa Lindell, Cataloging Librarian, South Dakota State University
  88. Mary Muratsbaki Campany, Cornell University / CJK NACO funnel
  89. Kristin Lansdown, Librarian and Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Accessibility Coordinator, DePaul University, African American SACO Funnel
  90. Lia Ryland, San Francisco Public Library
  91. Shelby Driver, Technical Services Librarian
  92. Emma Murphy, Cataloger, Noreen Reale Falcone Library
  93. Stephanie Conover, Cataloging Librarian, High Point Public Library
  94. Rebecca Saunders, Cataloging and Metadata Librarian, Western Carolina University
  95. Katherine Ryner, St. Mary’s College of Maryland
  96. Kim Carter, Catalog Assistant
  97. Chereeka Garner, African American SACO Funnel
  98. Rocki Strader, The Ohio State University
  99. Kirsti S. Thomas, Library Technical Services Manager & Systems Librarian (Seattle Colleges)
  100. Stephanie Porrata, Metadata Librarian, University of Missouri Kansas City
  101. Thomas F White, University of Iowa College of Law Library
  102. Sarah Jones, Northwest Missouri State University
  103. Jay Taber, Metadata Specialist, SMU
  104. Shay Beezley, Assistant Director, Metadata & Cataloging at University of Central Oklahoma
  105. Paromita Biswas, South Asia SACO Funnel
  106. Raphael Sasayama, Getty Research Institute
  107. Sara Herrman, MLS
  108. Sharon Farnel, Head, Metadata Strategies, University of Alberta Library
  109. Tiffany Henry, Discovery Cataloger, UNC Greensboro, Gender & Sexuality SACO Funnel Member
  110. Austin Justice, Ohio University
  111. Andi Molinet, Liberty University
  112. Timothy Mendenhall, Metadata Librarian, Columbia University
  113. Alejandra Perez, Systems & Metadata Librarian, Brooklyn Museum
  114. Joshua Bergmann, Member Comics & Fiction Funnel
  115. Librarian, GRI
  116. Crystal Yragui, Co-Interim Head, Metadata and Cataloging Initiatives Unit, University of Washington Libraries
  117. Caroline Keizer, UNC-Chapel Hill
  118. Kurt Hanselman, San Diego State University
  119. Andrea Gorgec, Cataloguing librarian
  120. Robin Goodfellow Malamud, Cataloger & Classifier I, Boston Public Library; Member of Gender & Sexuality SACO Funnel, Medical SACO Funnel, and Occult SACO/NACO Funnels
  121. Ateanna Uriri, Metadata Librarian, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
  122. Tricia Dean, Wilmington Public Library District, cataloger
  123. Michael L. Stewart, Metadata Librarian, University of Delaware
  124. Diana Brooking, University of Washington Libraries
  125. Stephanie Smith, Assistant Director, Amesbury Public Library
  126. Nicole Merzweiler, Continuing Resources Cataloger Librarian, The University of Missouri
  127. Sasha Frizzell, Catalog/Metadata Management Librarian, Binghamton University Librarians
  128. Shirley Roitberg, Gender and Sexuality SACO Funnel
  129. Ann K.D. Myers, Rare Books Cataloger
  130. Kurt Blythe, UNC-Chapel Hill
  131. Christian Koegel, Dakota County Library (SACO member)
  132. Chew Chiat Naun, Deakin University
  133. Masha Sapp, MARC Cataloging Supervisor, Olin Library, Washington University in St. Louis
  134. ‘Wendolyn Vermeer, Associate Dean, Library Collections and Scholarly Communications, Cal State Fullerton
  135. Librarian, CJK Funnel
  136. Emylie Fossell, Cataloging & Metadata Librarian
  137. Stephanie M. Roach, Library Systems and Applications Developer, San Mateo County Community College District
  138. Mads Lee Kerlan, MLIS
  139. Judy Din, Technical Services Librarian, U.S. Department of the Interior Library
  140. Margaret Joyce, Cataloger, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
  141. Patrick Hutchinson, Brown University Music Cataloger
  142. Michelle Lenox, Acquisitions & Cataloging Librarian
  143. Gail Beadnell, Head of Resource Description, Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford
  144. Emma Boisitz, Cataloging Librarian
  145. Elizabeth Hobart, Interim Head of Cataloging and Metadata, Penn State
  146. Cathy Craig, MSLS
  147. Josephine Kaiser, Technical Services Manager
  148. Meghan Croll, East Carolina University
  149. Alex Whelan, New York University
  150. William Blueher, Cataloger, Member of Art SACO Funnel
  151. Liz Bodian, Brandeis University
  152. Beck Schaefer, cataloguer, Osgoode Hall Law School, York University; member Gender & Sexuality Funnel
  153. Helen Imre, Lead Cataloging Librarian, Franklin Township Public Library
  154. Yasmine Green, Collection Management Coordinator, Emory University
  155. Laura Daniels, Acting Director of Cataloging & Metadata Services, Cornell University Library
  156. Amanda Sprochi, Catalaoger, University of Missouri; CC:DA chair; NACO medical funnel coordinator
  157. Melissa Lawson, Library Media Specialist, Columbus City Schools
  158. Dominique Dixon, Metadata Librarian, Princeton University; Comics and Fiction Funnel
  159. Librarian, Cornell University
  160. April Davies, Head of Tech Services, Van Wagenen Library
  161. Indica Mattson, Rare Materials Cataloger, Cornell University Library
  162. Melissa De Fino, Rutgers University
  163. Melinda Davies, Research Informationist, Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research
  164. Geoffrey D. Wood, Metadata Librarian, Rutgers University Libraries
  165. Shana Novak, Head of Technical Services, Chicago Public Library
  166. Kelsey Geller, Catalog Librarian, Texas Christian University
  167. Sungmin Park, Resource Description Librarian, Rutgers University, member of the SACO African American Funnel Project
  168. Caroline Miller, UCLA, Hebrew NACO Funnel
  169. Lucy Ingrey, Cataloging Librarian, Cal Poly Humboldt
  170. Florence W Jones, Colorado State Publications Library
  171. Matthew Haugen, Co-Chair, PCC Standing Committee on Standards
  172. Keno Catabay, Principal Cataloger, University of Colorado Boulder
  173. Lisa Francine, Reference & Cataloging Librarian, Memorial Hall Library, MA; Gender & Sexuality SACO Funnel
  174. Emily Baldoni, Metadata Librarian, Illinois State University
  175. Anna M. Ferris, University of Colorado Boulder
  176. Thuy-Anh Dang, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  177. Sharon Benamou, UCLA
  178. Karin Wece, Southern Illinois University; member of the Gender & Sexuality SACO Funnel
  179. Amanda Slater, Library Tech. III, UNLV University Libraries
  180. Kimberly Allen, University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, member of the Comics and Graphic Novels Funnel
  181. Patricia Sayre McCoy, Retired in January from D’Angelo Law Library, University of Chicago
  182. Chasity Gragg, MLIS
  183. Robert Kohl, Cataloging Librarian, Multnomah County Library
  184. Lydia Beesley, Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford
  185. Christina Peter, Columbia University Law Library
  186. simone clunie, African American SACO Funnel
  187. Amey Hutchins, Penn Libraries, University of Pennsylvania
  188. Samantha Thorne, Cataloging and Metadata Librarian, North Carolina Central University School of Law Library
  189. Deseree Stukes, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, African American SACO Funnel
  190. B. L. Hendrickson, Cataloging Librarian, Member of Gender and Sexuality SACO Funnel
  191. Concerned Librarian, Technical Services Project Manager
  192. Lizzy Walker, African American SACO Funnel
  193. Librarian, Harvard University
  194. Mark K. Ehlert, University of St. Thomas (St. Paul, Minn.), Co-coordinator of the Minnesota NACO Funnel
  195. Stefanie Hunker, Member, Comics & Fiction Funnel
  196. Karla Jurgemeyer, St. Olaf College
  197. Rhonda Kauffman, Metadata Management Librarian, University of Connecticut, Medical Subject Funnel member
  198. Liza Campbell, Head of Technical Services, University of West Florida Libraries
  199. Chris Wieman, Systems Librarian — Community College of Philadelphia
  200. Librarian, Faculty, East Los Angeles College
  201. Brian Hasenstab, Chemeketa Community College Library
  202. B. M. Watson, University of British Columbia iSchool
  203. Honor Moody, Metadata Creation Manager, Harvard Library (Harvard University)
  204. Jeannette Ho, Texas A&M University Libraries
  205. Rosemary Spellman, Library Assistant II
  206. Lori Thornton, Technical Services Librarian, Carson-Newman University Library, (TN NACO Funnel)
  207. Mallika Sircar, University of Pennsylvania, South Asia Funnel
  208. Reed David, Washington State University

To sign this letter, please either fill out this form or email your information to medicalsubjectheadings@gmail.com, Deborah.Tomaras@marist.edu, or abailund@sdsu.edu by June 30, 2024.