Updated May 19, 2026
Built over the course of centuries, Harvard’s libraries hold vast collections and strive to make them discoverable and accessible to users throughout the world. In doing so, archivists and librarians provide context for collections and description of their contents in catalog records and finding aids.
Like the collections themselves, our library catalog, finding aid database, and other access tools have been constructed over many years. Language and identities change over time, and some of our catalog records, finding aids, and other descriptions may include language that could be considered disrespectful or offensive.
As part of our goal to advance learning, research, and the pursuit of truth, Harvard Library is committed to investigating and remediating past and current practices in cataloging and archival description that have utilized disrespectful language.
We encourage and welcome community feedback as an important part of this process. If you would like to suggest a change to language in the HOLLIS catalog, please submit an inquiry through HOLLIS Feedback. If you encounter disrespectful language in our finding aids, catalogs, or digital libraries, please use the Feedback Form or Ask a Librarian. Library staff will review these requests and descriptions will be updated as appropriate and necessary.