This document is a supplement to Seneca Libraries Collection Development Guidelines to assist in the selection and weeding of resources by Indigenous authors and about Indigenous topics. Seneca Libraries is committed to supporting learning for truth and reconciliation by developing a relevant Indigenous Studies collection. This collection aligns with the goals of Seneca Polytechnic’s Reconciliation and Inclusion Plan and the Canadian Federation of Library Associations’ Truth and Reconciliation Report and Recommendations relating to library collections.

Collection Goal

The library’s Indigenous Studies collection supports the college’s Indigenous Studies courses as well as courses that cover Indigenous Studies topics. In addition, the collection supports members of the Seneca community in their ongoing reconciliation journey by providing resources to learn about past and present impacts of colonial history on Indigenous Peoples.

Feedback

The First Peoples@Seneca team is consulted to obtain collections guidance, in support of both acquisition and weeding activities.

Selection Criteria

Seneca Libraries’ Indigenous Studies collection includes:

• resources covering a wide range of subject areas not limited to the usual LC subject headings and classification for Indigenous Studies
• materials created by Indigenous authors or through the substantial contributions of Indigenous authors - the library recognizes that Indigenous voices have been historically ignored and undervalued in many library collections
• materials created by non-Indigenous authors if:
  • they are written with respect
  • the authors have received permission from the appropriate Indigenous communities to write about the topic
  • they don’t promote colonial, stereotypical, harmful, outdated, and oppressive perspectives
• certain primary texts, classics and works of fiction that present attitudes from the past (even if inaccurate) to provide a perspective of past values and beliefs, such as materials that help illustrate Indigenous-settler relations
• resources written at varying reading levels to meet the diverse academic research and personal learning needs of Seneca’s students, faculty, and staff
• English language resources, per Seneca Libraries’ collection guidelines; however, materials in Indigenous languages may also be considered if they support the curriculum
• local (Ontario and Canada) content, with some other resources being acquired to cover the global context and create a more robust collection

Preferred Publishers

Materials are obtained through small Indigenous publishers whenever possible to acquire appropriate materials not available via mainstream publishers and to support those publishers.

Classification of Resources

Certain items in the collection are classified with the word ‘Indian’ in the subject heading to meet the descriptive standards used worldwide; in addition, Seneca Libraries has included locally added subject headings that are more respectful and reflect current terminology.

Deselection

In alignment with Seneca Libraries' commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, the library systematically removes Indigenous resources that perpetuate negative stereotypes, harmful narratives, outdated viewpoints, or oppressive perspectives of Indigenous communities. The careful deselection of materials aims to foster an inclusive collection that promotes informed and respectful understanding of Indigenous histories and cultures.

If materials with offensive or outdated perspectives are kept for historical reasons, they are flagged with a disclaimer indicating that inclusion of those items does not mean that library staff endorse or approve of the representations and stereotypes; For print resources, QR codes linking to the library’s Indigenous Resources subject guide will also be included to allow students to explore current and accurate resources.

Collection Concerns

Members of the Seneca community can request the removal of items from the collection; all requests will be carefully considered by library staff in consultation with the First Peoples@Seneca team.

Return to Seneca Libraries Collection Guidelines