Indigenizing the academic library collection

As respect for and study of Indigenous cultures continues to grow, Indigenous knowledge and ways of interacting with nature are entering the mainstream. For example, books like Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer, with its blending of scientific insights with Indigenous wisdom, have become widely adopted in academic curricula. These works and their authors are raising awareness about the importance of ecological sustainability and the interconnectedness of all life forms, ultimately influencing discussions on sustainability and ethical living.

Expanding collections to meet growing interest and support more culturally inclusive research and learning can be a challenge for libraries that don’t have experts on staff. How can libraries uncover titles like Mayo Ethnobotany and Yungcautnguuq Nunam Qainga Tamarmi/All the Land's Surface Is Medicine – titles that represent Indigenous cultures and wisdom authentically and respectfully?

How can libraries Indigenize their collections?

ProQuest™, part of Clarivate™, is making it easier for libraries to Indigenize their collections by teaming with Jennifer Randall, formerly Special Collections & Archives Librarian at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. ProQuest has published Randall’s recommended ebooks on Indigenous knowledge as part of its LibList program on its ebook purchasing platforms. Entitled Rooted Wisdom, Randall’s list encompasses 51 titles on topics that span botanical and ecological knowledge of all types, environmental awareness, native foods, Indigenous medicines, Iwigara and other philosophies that focus on the intrinsic connection between humans, plants, animals and the environment. Randall drew on her experience at UNC-Pembroke, where about 15% of the student population is Native, along with her own love of nature and cultural heritage as part of the Waccamaw tribe, to create a list of ebooks that capture human connections to the earth.

“What I see as part of my job is indigenizing the library in different ways. Decolonization is important, but Indigenous inclusion is bigger than that. It’s foods and medicine and knowledge. It’s understanding that everything is connected,” said Randall. “I grew up on a farm and we ate what we grew or what our neighbors grew. I’m always talking with people about their connections with the earth and what that means for them. It’s a passion of mine and this list reflects that.”

How libraries can lead by Indigenizing their collections

Adding titles from the Rooted Wisdom LibList can enhance the depth and breadth of an academic library’s collection, making it a more comprehensive resource for students and faculty. The titles help libraries support:

• • Cultural diversity and inclusion by providing students and researchers with access to indigenous knowledge systems that are often underrepresented in mainstream academia.
  • Interdisciplinary learning, encouraging students to explore the interconnectedness of different fields and fostering a more holistic understanding of knowledge.
  • Environmental education, offering students alternative perspectives on sustainability and conservation.
  • Indigenous knowledge and wisdom about the natural world, including the medicinal properties of plants and the behavior of animals. This knowledge is not only scientifically valuable but also offers insights into sustainable living practices.
  • Ethical research by highlighting the importance of respecting and valuing Indigenous knowledge. It can also foster a greater appreciation for the contributions of Indigenous communities to global knowledge systems.

How libraries can further Indigenize their collections

Rooted Wisdom is also the second LibList dedicated to Indigenous studies released as part of the ProQuest commitment to work with experts and members of Indigenous communities to identify the titles that respectfully reflect their cultures, experiences and knowledge systems. Indigenising the Curriculum, released earlier this year, was curated by Yanti Ropeyarn, University of Technology Sydney, Australia, and includes culturally appropriate curriculum resources for teachers and educators.

Harnessing and sharing librarians’ collection curation expertise

Like all ProQuest LibLists, the Rooted Wisdom LibList is designed to foster collaboration, exchange knowledge and amplify diverse perspectives in the library community by sharing the collection development acumen of academic librarians. Created by librarians who have specialized knowledge, these lists enable their peers to confidently assemble collections that address emerging needs at universities.

Other LibLists include:

• • Mental Health & Wellness, curated by Neil Grimes, Education & Curriculum Materials Librarian at William Paterson University of New Jersey (WPUNJ) and Linda Salvesen, Systems Librarian at WPUNJ.
  • Animal Allies, curated by Derek Marshall, Director for Branch Libraries at Mississippi State University.
  • Inclusivity in Healthcare, curated by Maria King, Subject Librarian, School of Health and Social Care Information Services, Edinburgh Napier University, UK.

Additional curated ebook collections on Indigenous Studies include:

• • Indigenous Peoples in Canada 2024 - Recent titles about the culture, history, society, and experiences of First Nations, Inuit, Métis or other Indigenous peoples in Canada.
  • Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific Islands Indigenous Studies 2024 - Titles about the history and culture of the indigenous peoples of Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.
  • Indigenous Peoples in North America - Includes titles about the traditions, unique histories, philosophies, and contemporary challenges faced by indigenous communities in North America.
  • Doody’s Special Topics: Clinical Care of Indigenous Peoples - Title list provided by Doody’s as part of its Doody’s Special Topics series, created to cover timely, pertinent issues facing the health information community.
  • Indigenous Studies - Titles about Indigenous cultures of the world.

Explore any ProQuest LibList or curated list by logging into LibCentral, OASIS or Rialto and search for LibLists under the Curated Topics section. Or get in touch with our team to request a title list.

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