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Resolution on replacing the Library of Congress Subject Heading "Illegal aliens" with "Undocumented immigrants"

  • 1.  Resolution on replacing the Library of Congress Subject Heading "Illegal aliens" with "Undocumented immigrants"

    Posted Jan 24, 2021 10:23 AM
    Hello ALA Councilors,
    I'm excited to see this new resolution to come to Council II:
    ALA CD#44 Resolution on replacing the Library of Congress Subject Heading "Illegal aliens" with "Undocumented immigrants".
     It is an issue that I am working to bring the changes to my Libraries and also in my work with OCLC.
     I would like to thank the resolution's mover, Kimberly A. Patton, ALSC Division Councilor, and  seconder: Ed Garcia, Executive Board. 
    If it's not too late, I would also like to add my name, Anchalee Panigabutra-Roberts, Councilor At-Large, as a seconder, as well. 

    I also have a question, if the mover and seconder had considered proposing the change of the subject, 'Aliens' to 'Noncitizens'.
    The current result clause in the resolution reads:
     Resolved, that the American Library Association (ALA), on behalf of its members: urges the Library of Congress to change the subject heading 'Illegal aliens' to 'Undocumented       immigrants'.
     I would like to see this addition/amendment:
     and to change the subject heading 'Aliens' to 'Noncitizens'.

    Here is some background information.  The Library of Congress considered this change in March 22, 2016: https://www.loc.gov/catdir/cpso/illegal-aliens-decision.pdf
    However, the Congress took up this issue with the result in the continuing usage of this term as shown in the current usage here:
    Aliens: http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85003545
    Variants
      Aliens--Legal status, laws, etc
      Enemy aliens
      Expatriates
      Foreign citizens (Aliens)
      Foreign population
     Foreign residents
     Foreigners
     Noncitizens
     Resident aliens
     Unnaturalized foreign residents
     
    Here is more background on the above issue and the Congress's final decision that resulted in LC's continuing usage of the above biased terms: https://www.libraryjournal.com/?detailStory=library-of-congress-drops-illegal-alien-subject-heading-provokes-backlash-legislation
     For an additional context, here is a list of related subjects that catalogers have been advocating for changes:
    • Aliens >> Noncitizens 
    • Illegal Aliens >> Undocumented immigrants
    • Alien detention centers >> Immigrant detention centers
    • Children of illegal aliens >> Children of undocumented immigrants
    • Illegal alien children >> Undocumented immigrant children
    • Illegal aliens in literature >> Undocumented immigrants in literature 
    • Women illegal aliens >> Women undocumented immigrants
    (From the webinar: Radical Cataloging: Using alternative subject headings locally to promote inclusiveness and diversity (2018): https://cslinsession.cvlsites.org/past/radical-cataloging-using-alternative-subject-headings-locally-to-promote-inclusiveness-and-diversity/ )
     I sent an inquiry to the ALA Resolutions Committee re: the amendment, but I would like to hear from Kimberly and Ed on their thoughts about this addition. 
    I'd also welcome all my colleagues in the Council's input on this addition. 
    Respectfully, 
    Joy~

    Anchalee (Joy) Panigabutra-Roberts
    Councilor At-Large
    American Library Association
     
    Head of Cataloging
    Associate Professor
    Pronouns: She/Her/Hers 
    The University of Tennessee Libraries
    865-974-5952 
    apanigab@utk.edu

    ------------------------------
    Anchalee Panigabutra-Roberts
    Head of Cataloging
    University of Tennessee Libraries
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  • 2.  RE: Resolution on replacing the Library of Congress Subject Heading "Illegal aliens" with "Undocumented immigrants"

    Posted Jan 24, 2021 11:49 AM
    Thank you, John, for your reply. Thank you also for your active involvement with this change early on. 

    For fellow councilors, the past resolution is in the document, 2015-2016 ALA CD#34_11216_FINAL 2016 ALA Midwinter Meeting, adopted by the ALA Council on Tuesday, January 12, 2016: http://www.ala.org/aboutala/sites/ala.org.aboutala/files/content/governance/council/council_documents/2016_mw_council_documents/cd_34_Resol_on_LC_Headings_11216_FINAL.pdf 
    I also sent this URL to Marsha to replace the one that's not working in the new resolution. 
    Best wishes, 
    Joy~
    Anchalee (Joy) Panigabutra-Roberts
    Councilor At-Large
    American Library Association

    ------------------------------
    Anchalee Panigabutra-Roberts
    Head of Cataloging
    University of Tennessee Libraries
    ------------------------------