Code of Conduct

Adopted September 1, 2017

Updated October, 2024

The Lyrasis Code of Conduct is intended to guide behaviors and interactions in all community settings including: Lyrasis events (online or in-person), public forums, listservs, wikis, Slack channels, GitHub and private correspondence. Our Code of Conduct is meant to ensure a safe, friendly and productive environment that prioritizes inclusion and belonging for all people in our community. It is of the utmost importance to build an anti-oppressive environment where all are treated respectfully regardless of race, nationality, ethnicity, gender identity, sexuality, age, ability, belief system, physical appearance, politics, educational attainment or technical fluency.

Guidelines

A personal note: If you are alerted to a behavior that may be harmful, please respect that feedback and integrate it into your actions. Additionally:

  • Be inclusive. We ask that you consider and honor the perspectives, experiences, norms and identities of those in our communities. Do not take any actions intended to cause offense or harm.
  • Check your bias. Bias is a constant part of our cognitive processes as humans. However, when working with others or hearing new ideas and perspectives, we must do the personal work of evaluating the limits of our own ideas and perspectives before we critique or react to those of others.
  • Be open. We are all professionals working toward similar goals and missions. Recognize the inherent value of others’ ideas, questions and contributions regardless of their experience. Welcome the opportunity to challenge your own assumptions.
  • Be respectful. Strive to use language that is professional, civil and courteous. If disagreements occur, take a step back and seek good intentions, commonality and shared goals. Do not bring personal disagreements to a community setting.
  • Be collaborative. Invite the thoughts and suggestions of others and be respectful when sharing your ideas and expertise. Be open to the expertise of others and be willing to evaluate and alter your own behavior if you are told your actions are harmful or concerning. By working together we can build better outcomes and experiences for all.
  • Respect the time, location and situational boundaries. Be mindful of schedules, agendas, technology limitations and any rules/regulations regarding the platform or physical site/location. Consider the impacts on the entire group of running long on time or altering an agenda without consensus or agreement.
  • Disagree with courtesy. Disagreements are both important and inevitable. Respond calmly, discuss the potential reasons for disagreement if applicable, and recognize the equal standing of those in our forums.

Harassment

Harassment is understood as any behavior that threatens or demeans another person or group or produces an unsafe environment. Harassment can occur in person or online.

Harassment includes, but is not limited to:

  • Offensive verbal or non-verbal expressions related to physical or intellectual ability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, age, education, professional position, organization or religious or political beliefs
  • Discriminatory images in public spaces, including but not limited to sexually explicit or violent material
  • Deliberate intimidation, violent threats or threatening language directed against another person
  • Stalking, or unwanted following
  • Harassing photography or recording
  • Sustained and repeated disruption of speakers and fellow community members
  • Inappropriate or unwanted physical contact, unwelcome sexual attention and nonconsensual flirtation
  • Posting (or threatening to post) other people’s personally identifying information
  • Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behavior

While harassment may sometimes look different to different people or in different situations, in general, if someone asks you to stop doing something, then stop.

Repeated violations may result in loss of access to Lyrasis resources and events, and/or loss of access to Lyrasis communication channels.

Reporting

If you observe someone exhibiting disrespectful behaviors, you may address those concerns directly with the person or in the group setting. Please do so with courtesy, without personal attacks and only if you feel safe.

If you would like to escalate harassment or problematic incidents, please reach out to us. You are not required to resolve these issues on your own, and we will intervene as needed to ensure a positive, productive and respectful environment.

If you witness a violation, please report the violation via the conduct@lyrasis.org email address.

Initial response may take up to two weeks; however, we will make every effort to ensure a speedy resolution.

If an individual (or individuals) is determined to be the exclusive or primary source of concern, the team will work to resolve the issue privately. Resolution may include loss of privileges to Lyrasis community events and channels.

Acknowledgements

The Lyrasis Code of Conduct has been modeled on the Code of Conduct policies from ArchivesSpace, the Digital Library Forum (DLF) and Code4Lib.