The New York Public Library has digitized close to 600,000 photographs on their Digital Collections website to-date, some of which include racist and/or derogatory content. When institutions digitize visual materials en-masse, it is meant to provide greater access to materials and to further one’s knowledge and in hopes of providing a valuable resource. However, what impact does this have on users, and society at large when institutions themselves are perpetuating problematic images and racist narratives without any explanations, interpretations or ‘trigger’ warnings? This roundtable discussion invites those who may also have similar issues in their institutions and would like to brainstorm possible solutions.
