UM Libraries Harmful Content Statement

Libraries and archives collect materials from different cultures and time periods for educational and research purposes. The University of Miami Libraries offers public access to a wide range of information, including historical materials, that may contain offensive language, imagery, beliefs, or stereotypes. For example, users may encounter language or content that is misogynistic, racist, transphobic, homophobic, xenophobic, or colonialist. The University of Miami does not endorse the views expressed in such materials.

The Libraries strive to describe materials in a manner that is accurate and is respectful to the individuals and communities who create, use, and are represented in the collections we manage. While some descriptions are written by staff, others reflect language that was used by the people and organizations that created the material. When we encounter problematic language that we believe staff created in the past, we change it. Language that comes from the original material, however, can provide information about the people who created it. In such cases, we leave the original language but work to provide additional context. We are working to update existing description of materials and recognize that efforts to create respectful and inclusive description must be ongoing. If you encounter a problematic description, please contact us at chc@miami.edu for Cuban Heritage Collection materials or asc.library@miami.edu for Special Collections and University Archives materials.