In the Day 1 conference Keynote: Decolonising bibliographies, referencing and citational practices<\/em> Dr Gurnam Singh shared so many important reflections for where we find ourselves right now, such as: \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Dr Singh discussed the various types of colonisation to be aware of such as settler colonisation, extractive colonisation, and plantation colonisation.<\/p>\n (Colonialism is generally classified by one of five overlapping types according to the practice’s particular goals and consequences on the subjugated territory and its indigenous peoples. These are:\u00a0settler colonialism; exploitation colonialism; plantation colonialism; surrogate colonialism; and internal colonialism.)<\/p>\n Dr Singh then went on to compare the fixed hierarchies of arborescent thought versus rhizomatic thought\u2019s interconnected multiplicity and networks of thought, which rejects fixed categories and sees connections and dialogues.<\/p>\n Some of his comments might be challenging to some people, such as \u201cCitation rankings are monetised and racist, and so therefore is the REF [Research Excellence Framework<\/a>]\u201d. It is true that currently citation rankings perpetuate certain dominant authors and global voices, which position Western discourse as the most \u201cvalid\u201d or important. Dr Singh said \u201cWhen an article has 10 authors you just know its gaming the citation rankings \u2013 its fraud. The publishing industry is colonial \u2013 it\u2019s based on colonial attitudes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDecoloniality is about building a new humanity not going back to a \u201cpurer\u201d time. This isn\u2019t a specialist subject, its about being human. Maybe AI could release us to be humans and not robots?\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Other topics covered by other speakers included multilingualism in public libraries; using reflective practices to extend the impact of teaching in libraries; developing collaborative cataloguing codes of ethics; setting up Library Decol Working Groups in academic libraries; exploring working class roots of library staff and their experiences in the mostly middle class populations of HE library staff; being a neurodivergent librarian in HE; using critical race theory in medical curriculum decolonisation work; and using the Homosaurus for cataloguing in a public library consortium.<\/p>\n We were encouraged to develop the attitude that everybody brings something to the workplace \u2013 a richness of their own, rather than making assumptions about the limitations of people based on their assumed backgrounds, identities, or experiences of \u201cothering\u201d.<\/p>\n I can thoroughly recommend attending this very affordable and welcoming conference!<\/p>\n Jane Furness<\/strong> The recordings of the sessions will soon be uploaded to the CALC Conference site: If you are interested in the topics raised at the Conference these links will be useful to explore:<\/p>\n Future Learn course on Anti Racist Technologies https:\/\/www.futurelearn.com\/courses\/anti-racist-technologies<\/a><\/p>\n Cataloguing code of ethics: Journal of Information Literacy article on working class library staff experiences: https:\/\/journals.cilip.org.uk\/jil\/article\/view\/20<\/a><\/p>\n Critical Race Theory book: Knowledge Justice<\/em> (on DiscoverEd): Critical Race Theory definition: CRT awareness: https:\/\/www.uksg.org\/newsletter\/uksg-enews-534\/navigating-whiteness-and-reflecting-identity-vocational-awe-and-allyship<\/a><\/p>\n Neurodivergent librarians supporting each other: https:\/\/neurospicylibraries.flarum.cloud\/<\/a><\/p>\n One neurodivergent librarian\u2019s experience: https:\/\/www.inthelibrarywiththeleadpipe.org\/2017\/neurodiversity-in-the-library\/<\/a><\/p>\n CALC conference on Youtube: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCqB_9b3mgcJ0yu8cHK9kIoQ<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I attended the CALC Conference on 24th and 25th May and can thoroughly recommend this annual event to other professionals interested in critical librarianship. The gathering was welcoming and introduced the day by stating \u201cwe will operate within a spirit … Continue reading \n
\n<\/strong><\/em> ECA Academic Support Librarian<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n![\"Flyer](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/libraryblogs.is.ed.ac.uk\/asl\/files\/2023\/06\/CALC.jpg?resize=166%2C229&ssl=1\")
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\nFurther reading links:<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\nhttps:\/\/sites.google.com\/view\/calcconference<\/a><\/p>\n
\nhttps:\/\/www.uwtsd.ac.uk\/library\/support-for-staff\/collection-development-policy\/cataloguing-code-of-ethics\/<\/a>
\nhttps:\/\/sites.google.com\/view\/cataloging-ethics\/home<\/a>
\nhttps:\/\/homosaurus.org\/<\/a><\/p>\n
\nhttps:\/\/discovered.ed.ac.uk\/permalink\/44UOE_INST\/7g3mt6\/alma9924550010502466<\/a><\/p>\n
\nhttps:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/critical-race-theory<\/a><\/p>\n