Stanford University and the Stanford Libraries are committed to providing a productive, inclusive, welcoming environment for all who work here.
Conferences and events are part of our work environment and include those attended by Stanford Libraries’ staff as well as those hosted by Stanford Libraries. All events attended or hosted by our staff must adopt and enforce codes of conduct (including anti-harassment policies). Such policies are consistent with our values, and we encourage their adoption at events in the broader library and higher education communities.
As a precursor, the Digital Library Federation (DLF) adopted a Code of Conduct that has been used as the basis for the Code of Conduct for Stanford Libraries’ own LDCX Conference. The LDCX Code of Conduct states that "LDCX organizers are dedicated to providing a harassment-free conference experience for everyone regardless of gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity or religion.”
The staff of Stanford Libraries will follow the guidelines below in an effort to effect positive change in our professional culture and extended work environments:
- Participate only in those events that have clear and public codes of conduct backed by a commitment to enforce them.
- Decline invitations to speak or contribute to an event if it does not have a code of conduct and the event organizers are unwilling to create one.
- Help advocate for, draft, and implement codes of conduct for events hosted at Stanford and events attended elsewhere.
- Serve as code of conduct duty officers at attended events.
For background information on codes of conduct (e.g., anti-harassment policies) including why they are important, a sample policy, and a list of conferences with anti-harassment policies, please see the Ada Initiative anti-harassment work. Additional resources can be found on the Geek Feminism Wiki, including a definition of harassing behaviors that includes "verbal comments that reinforce social structures of domination [related to gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, age, religion, [your specific concern here]."
By following these guidelines and recommendations, Stanford Libraries staff will help ensure that our extended work environment, including professional events, reflects the values of Stanford Libraries and Stanford University. We aspire to identify additional ways in which we can exhibit leadership in action as we build a more diverse and inclusive workplace.
For further information and questions, please contact Philip E. Schreur, Deputy University Librarian.