Despite sustained calls for a critical review of harmful content within archival descriptive records, there remains much to be explored by way of implications for Canadian academic archives. This article addresses the absence of Canadian archival practitioners in broader discussions about the revision and remediation of descriptive records by exploring how staff in Special Collections & Archives at the University of Waterloo Library are working to integrate equityand reconciliation-informed thinking into the department’s archival practice by revising their approach to language in archival descriptions. Beginning with an overview of the department and the landscape in which it operates, this article provides a brief review of guidance available in the Rules for Archival Description. It then provides the rationale behind the recent changes to descriptive practice before exploring a series of examples of how and where this work is newly underway. The article concludes with a consideration of current identified challenges and the related work ahead.

Wikipedia edit-a-thons represent a unique and fruitful avenue for galleries, libraries, archives and museums (GLAMs) to engage with new and existing segments of their user communities. Encompassing information and technical literacy skills development, the success of edit-a-thon campaigns, such the annual art+feminism events, demonstrate their utility and value as outreach initiatives. What is less clear are the logistical, ethical and professional development implications of hosting these events. Centering first-hand experience and concrete examples, this paper explores GLAMbased edit-a-thons through a practical and actionable lens. Topics covered include: what is required to successfully host an edit-a-thon; the importance of leading by example in a volunteer-reliant economy; and the transferable work skills gained by hosting and participating in edit-a-thons.

Despite a body of scholarly literature about the labour conditions of Canadian academic libraries/ians, little has been written about non-unionized Canadian librarians/archivists or the related historical and evolving labour environment at the University of Waterloo. Drawing on archival records and scholarly literature, this paper situates Waterloo within the Canadian academic library landscape in conversation with existing assumptions and understandings about academic and/or faculty status. It documents failed attempts at unionization and representation of librarians/archivists by the Faculty Association of the University of Waterloo (FAUW), the role of Waterloo administration in those outcomes, and the nature of, and changes to, the Librarian and Archivist Employment Handbook over time.

Compiled by Allana MayerFor this issue, we asked readers responding to our recent pieces about technology, programming, and self-directed learning to answer this question: Should we expect LIS professionals to learn how to code? Responses came long, short, and even in haiku form. Enjoy!