Critical Cataloging Post-Critical Cataloging: What Do We Do Now, and What Do We Call It?

Critical cataloging, which focuses on the ethical implications of library metadata, cataloging and classification, has seen some setbacks in 2025. Institutionally, many of us have seen revised missions and a de-emphasis on promoting diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility. Catalogers, archivists and other metadata creators have put a great deal of time and emotional energy into various critical cataloging activities such as remediating harmful language, coding for accessibility information, creating and using alternative vocabularies, and more. This panel discussion will explore challenges and barriers, examine ideas and solutions that panelists have found to continue doing the work that matters, and consider a case study of critical and reparative cataloging for digital resources taking place at San Jose State University.

Takeaways include: ideas on how to talk about these projects with administration and other stakeholders; sources of information for the projects; ways to justify to administration and non-metadata creators.