The Chaffey College Library works to describe its collections in a way that is respectful to the individuals and groups who create, use, and are represented within them. However, for many reasons, users may come across offensive or harmful language and/or imagery in the archives' collections and finding aids.

While some descriptions in our finding aids are written by staff, our original materials (especially books, reports, and photograph captions) may reflect language that was used by the people and organizations that created them.

When original items contain offensive language, it is standard archival practice not to change it; this is to completely represent the items as they were originally created, as they are historical and reflect the viewpoints of their creators and the society in which it was created. As such, archival items' original language are transcribed in our finding aids. However, Chaffey College Library staff will include additional context in the item's entry in its finding aid when necessary. 

When we see problematic language that we believe a staff member created in our finding aids, we amend the wording. 

Chaffey College Library does not support any harmful or offensive historical viewpoints made in its archival collections.

Please contact us if you come across problematic descriptions by emailing Michelle Sanchez at  michelle.sanchez@chaffey.edu. Staff will review the flagged description and make revisions as needed.

Acknowledgements

This statement was adapted from similar statements by Caldwell University Archives, the Huntington Library, and Princeton University Library.