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TCDL Code of Conduct

Purpose of TCDL

The Texas Conference on Digital Libraries is a gathering place for the Texas library and archives community to share and learn about research, practice, and advocacy in digital libraries and digital archives. The conference provides opportunities for faculty, students, researchers, librarians, administrators, policymakers, advocates, and others to share expertise and network through various types of presentations, panels, workshops, and informal discussions. 

Perspective of this Code of Conduct

The way we view the world is influenced by our own lived experiences. We must approach the truth as other people experience it and acknowledge their experience as the truth. Doing so does not mean we are taking the other’s perspective as our own, but we must be curious and seek to understand what others see and why they view it that way. We trust everyone to do this by seeking to understand; not listening to respond.

Please reflect on how this perspective of listening to understand will inform your interactions with others at the conference, ancillary events, on social media, and lodging locations. 

TDL Commitment

The Texas Digital Library and the TCDL Planning Committee are committed to the presence and contributions of all persons regardless of age, culture, abilities, bodies, ethnic origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, nationality, race, religion, or socioeconomic status. We believe that digital libraries and archives are developed and used by diverse participants, and that supporting the visibility of such diversity enhances the experiences of all stakeholders. As such, this conference values inclusiveness and the maintenance of a safe and accountable space for all participants.

TDL is dedicated to providing a conference experience that is free from all forms of harassment, and inclusive of all people. We know that the best problem-solving and critical thinking happens when people with a wide array of experiences and perspectives come together to work in comfort and safety as peers. 

Expectations of attendees

We therefore expect participants at TCDL, including at ancillary events, on social media, and at lodging locations, to help create thoughtful and respectful environments where that interaction can take place. 

We expect that participants will abide by our Community Agreement:

  • Participate in a constructive and active way.
  • Exercise consideration and respect in speech and action. 
  • Listen, pause, reflect, and attempt understanding before speaking.
  • Refrain from demeaning, discriminatory, or harassing behavior and speech.
  • Be mindful of your environment and of your fellow participants.

Unacceptable Behavior

Unacceptable behaviors include: intimidating, harassing, abusive, discriminatory, retaliatory, derogatory or demeaning speech or actions by any conference participants, including in online environments, at all related events, and in one-on-one communications carried out in the context of conference business.

Harassment includes: harmful or prejudicial verbal or written comments related to race, color, sex, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, gender expression, religion, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, genetic information, military service, or any other legally protected basis; use of nudity and/or sexual images in public spaces including presentation slides; deliberate intimidation, stalking or following; harassing photography or recording, including not respecting requests to not be photographed; sustained disruption of talks or other events; inappropriate or unwelcome physical contact, and unwelcome sexual attention or any behavior determined to be sufficiently severe, pervasive, or materially adverse.

Public Health Precautions

Texas Digital Library and the TCDL Planning Committee encourages attendees to do what they need to feel comfortable and safe. 

As part of the University of Texas and, therefore, the State of Texas, neither TDL nor our UT-owned conference site are allowed to require masking. We encourage masking and support anyone who decides to mask. We will provide masks and hand sanitizer.

We expect guests to extend courtesy towards individuals’ masking choices and respect preferences to wear or not wear masks.  

Reporting Code of Conduct Violations

HOW TO MAKE A CODE OF CONDUCT COMPLAINT:

In person: Speak with a member of Texas Digital Library staff or a member of the TCDL Planning Committee. You can identify TDL staff and TCDL committee members by their nametags. 

Email: Send an email to info@tdl.org, monitored by Texas Digital Library staff. Or send an email to tcdl-2023-cmte@utlists.utexas.edu, monitored by the TCDL Planning Committee.

TDL Suggestion Box: You can anonymously report a Code of Conduct violation using Texas Digital Library’s Suggestion Box. This is a Google Form that is checked by TDL staff https://forms.gle/nYLoyGduvh41j74w9  Note: This is for non-urgent reports only, as the suggestion box will be checked the week after the conference.

Title IX: Texas State Law requires all employees of postsecondary education institutions “who, in the course and scope of employment, witnesses or receives information regarding the occurrence of an incident that the employee reasonable believes constitutes sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, or stalking and is alleged to have been committed by or against a person who was a student enrolled at or an employee of the institution at the time of the incident” to promptly report the violation (Texas Education Code 51.252). Even if you are not a mandatory reporter, we encourage you to report violations.   You may report a Title IX violation by phone or online. Here is a link to report a Title IX violation at TCDL:  https://titleix.utexas.edu/file-a-report. 

Thank you: We are proud of you for stepping up and speaking out. You are trusted and supported by Texas Digital Library and our conference committee. 

When A Complaint Is Made

Emergencies

What happens when 9-1-1 is called? 

UTPD (UT Austin Police Department) doesn’t have regular patrols at the Pickle Research Campus.

APD (Austin Police Department) responds. Call is routed to an operator who gathers information. The operator relays information to the dispatcher. The dispatcher relays information to responding police to keep them updated on the situation. 

FAQ: When should someone call 911?

  • When there is an imminent threat to life or property
  • When there is an injury that requires immediate medical attention or there is an injury stemming from an assault, regardless of the timeframe
  • When a suspect involved in a crime is on scene of the incident or within sight

Important: If you are unsure whether to call 911 or 311 (Austin city services and information), you should call 911 and let a trained operator route the call appropriately.

If you are calling to file a police report, it can be made by calling Teleserve at 3-1-1. If you are calling from an area code other than (512), the number to 3-1-1 is 512-974-2000.

Mental health responses

CCC Evacuation Plans

  • Emergency exits are located throughout the Commons Conference Center and meeting rooms. Evacuation ‘rally point’ is the soccer field on the west side of the building. View the building layout. 

Visit the TCDL home page to learn more about the conference. Email Texas Digital Library at info@tdl.org with your questions and suggestions.

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/.

Resources 

The Six Pillars of a Brave Space
https://www.ssw.umaryland.edu/media/ssw/field-education/2—The-6-Pillars-of-Brave-Space.pdf 

“That’s How We’ve Always Done It”
https://www.managementcenter.org/resources/thats-how-weve-always-done-it-a-guide-to-using-ptr/ 

Write the Docs: Code of Conduct Response Guide
https://www.writethedocs.org/code-of-conduct-response/

Previous versions adapted from: 

ABOUT TDL

A collaborative consortium based in Texas and rooted in higher education, the Texas Digital Library builds capacity among its membership for ensuring equitable access to and preservation of digital content of value to research, instruction, cultural heritage, and institutional memory.

Membership in TDL is open to any library. Find out more by visiting https://main.tdl.org/members/membership/ or email us at info@tdl.org.

Last update: May 2023; next review: May 2024