Challenging Categories and the Hierarchy of Language Xana

Did you know that the categories under which you search in your library are defined and set by the Library of Congress in Washington? Did you know that terms such as LGBTQ fall under the category heading of ‘Sexual Deviancy’ and that under indigenous art categories where you might search for ‘Contemporary Art’ the term ‘Native Craft’ holds precedence?

Join electronic artist and poet Xana for our latest workshop in our series for young people. We will explore the impact of language found in libraries, how problematic cataloguing systems affect our search for information, determine what we find and ultimately shape the knowledge that we acquire.

You will be given access to new, uncatalogued items in the Stuart Hall Library collection and will help to define new search and catalogue terms, examining hierarchy and accessibility.

This event is part of a series of explorative workshops aimed at engaging young people aged 16-24. Please note: If you are under 18 you will need to fill in a parental consent form obtainable from sibreck@iniva.org

Image credit: Carlos Jiménez, 2018.