"Browsing Through Bias" by Sara A. Howard and Steven A. Knowlton
- https://scholar.princeton.edu/sites/default/files/steven.a.knowlton/files/knowlton_three_decades.pdf
Knowlton and Howard reveal the inadequaces of the Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) with respect to African American literature and LGBTQIA studies, and interdisciplinary topics (not mutually exclusive,) the divide between a library patron's vocabulary and the LCSH's vocabulary, and the associated negative consequences. It also examines the potentially oppressive acquisition patterns and layouts of libraries and provides suggestions for librarians on how to connect with patrons who belong to marginalized groups.
"Three Decades Since Prejudices and Antipathies: A Study of Changes in the Library of Congress Subject Headings" by Steven Knowlton
- https://login.libproxy.scu.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edsbl&AN=RN171883013&site=eds-live
Knowlton reveals the extent to which the Library of Congress followed and didn't follow through with Berman's suggestions for changing the LCSH. Knowlton also identifies the "average reader" implicated in LCSH and how this concept can stigmatize oppressed groups, make materials written about minorities difficult to find, create derogatory labels, and alienate certain points of view.
"Algorithms of Oppression: How Search Engines Reinforce Racism" by Safiya Umoja Noble
Algorithms of Oppression by Call Number: ZA4230 .N63 2018ISBN: 9781479837243Publication Date: 2018-02-20Summary
"In Algorithms of Oppression, Safiya Umoja Noble challenges the idea that search engines like Google offer an equal playing field for all forms of ideas, identities, and activities. Data discrimination is a real social problem. Noble argues that the combination of private interests in promoting certain sites, along with the monopoly status of a relatively small number of Internet search engines, leads to a biased set of search algorithms that privilege whiteness and discriminate against people of color, especially women of color.
"Prejudices and Antipathies: A Tract on the LC Subject Heads Concerning People" Introduction by Sanford Berman
- http://www.sanfordberman.org/prejant/intro.pdf
Berman argued how the Library of Congress subject headings cater only to white, Christian (especially Protestant,) middle to high-income, men. He asserts that they reflect a litany of assumptions about youth and women, and often take a colonialist perspective when it comes to race. Berman analyzed the shortcomings of subject headings that fell under the categories of race, religion, politics, law enforcement, sex, youth, and other related topics. He also discussed potential solutions to the inadequacies in these headings.
"Personal insights into critical librarianship" by Kevin L. Smith
- https://lib.ku.edu/deans-message/personal-insights-critical-librarianship
This essay discusses the University of Kansas' dean of the library's experiences with critical librarianship and how he uses white male privilege to amplify the voices of oppressed minorities in an ongoing conversation.
"Revisiting Search Engine Bias" and "Search Engine Bias and the Demise of Search Engine Utopianism" by Eric Goldman
- https://digitalcommons.law.scu.edu/facpubs/595/
Goldman makes a compelling case for the negative consequences of having only one search engine -- read Google -- dominate the market. Like any other business, search engine companies are held in check by other search engine companies. Otherwise, a monopoly can form since no other company is setting a precedent for others to follow. - https://digitalcommons.law.scu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1112&context=facpubsGoldman describes several invisible issues with search engines in this article. He reveals how web pages can be indexed with search terms that users create that the company that owns the website may not even agree with. Website rankings are often shaped by a programmer who has to make value judgments that may be influenced by their own biases. Furthermore, Goldman devises possible solutions to these issues such as making search engine algorithms transparent, publicly funded search engines, and mandated changes to ranking policies.
"Shaping the Web: Why the Politics of Search Engines Matters" by Helen Nissenbaum and Lucas D. Introna
- http://content.ebscohost.com/ContentServer.asp?EbscoContent=dGJyMNXb4kSep7I4zOX0OLCmr1Cep7FSrq%2B4TbWWxWXS&ContentCustomer=dGJyMPGut1CzrbNNuePfgeyx9Yvf5ucA&T=P&P=AN&S=R&D=bth&K=3532993
Intro and Nissenbaum argue that search engines aren't as neutral as people believe them to be and the biases present in them have political consequences. Often times the criterion for an individual's website to get indexed by a search engine is unclear. The few who do know their way around the algorithms systematically have an advantage compared to those who don't. This often leads to larger websites such as chain restaurants being featured more prominently than smaller, less popular websites such as mom and pop restaurants.
"Web Search Multidisciplinary Perspectives" by Various Authors (edited by Amanda Spink and Michael Zimmer)
- https://www.amazon.com/Web-Search-Multidisciplinary-Perspectives-Information-ebook/dp/B002IIETI6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1543607436&sr=8-1&keywords=web+search+multidisciplinary+perspective
This collection of essays discusses how people from different groups use the Internet differently and how their needs aren't always met because of white cismale heterosexual bias. A variety of social, cultural, philosophical, political, legal, economic, and information behavior perspectives are featured. Notable authors include Eric Goldman, Martin Zimmer, and others.
"Weapons of Math Destruction" by Cathy O'Neil
- Weapons of math destruction : how big data increases inequality and threatens democracy
O'Neil's book is a comprehensive overview of algorithmic bias and the real-life consequences it can have for marginalized groups. Many of the examples in this library guide are summarized in this book as secondary sources.