Navigating the campus past: college yearbook controversies

Abstract

Purpose

This paper is about the controversies stemming from digitized college and university yearbook photos and the professional values of librarians and archivists in helping higher education communities to confront their unsettling pasts. The actions taken by college librarians and archivists reveal their dedication to core values.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach taken in this concept paper includes a review of various college yearbook controversies in higher education and the strategies used by librarians to address the controversy.

Findings

My findings revealed that librarians and archivists play a crucial role in assisting higher education institutions in coming to terms with their histories.

Originality/value

Although various news outlets have reported on college yearbook controversies, very few (if any) library publications have addressed this issue. This document will serve as a comprehensive evaluation of the controversies and how librarians have taken action.

Citation

Batchelor, O. (2020), "Navigating the campus past: college yearbook controversies", Reference Services Review, Vol. 48 No. 1, pp. 5-14. https://doi.org/10.1108/RSR-09-2019-0059