Counts Count: Looking at Gender Diversity

Elizabeth Little and Lea Simpson

Abstract: This paper examines gender diversity, equity and representation in the collections of art institution libraries, focussing on the case study of the National Gallery of Australia’s Research Library. It will discuss both the project methodology and the results of its application, while situating the project within the Gallery’s commitment to gender equity. In 2020/2021, the NGA Research Library undertook a large-scale audit to assess the gender ratio of artists represented in their individual artist monograph collections. This project was informed by a larger assessment of the Gallery’s art collection and its development of a Gender Equity Action Plan that addressed gender diversity and representation. The Library’s artist monograph collections were analysed to provide an understanding of the gender of represented artists. The methodology involved the identification of sample collection areas, and the extractions and analysis of large bibliographic datasets using gender inference software and human-based identification. The resulting data framed both historical and contemporary collecting practices of the library against institutional norms, and provides the groundwork for future collection development practices. The analysis revealed that the collection reflected the gender balance within the Gallery’s art collection, which in turn reflected the Western historical focus on male artists. The analysis revealed that in areas of Contemporary art, disparity between male and non-male artists remained significant. These collection realities have now driven the redevelopment of the Collection Development Policy, leading to a greater emphasis on gender equity while highlighting broader inadequacies in publishing. The project embodied the formal guiding principles for gender equity developed by the Gallery, which has made a commitment to gender equity across institutional activities. Key principles include advancing the diversity of the Gallery’s collections including the representation of women, and prioritising projects that add new perspectives to art, particularly in relation to First Nations peoples, women, LGBTQI+ people and other marginalised groups. Alongside this analysis the Library collaborated with WikiMedia hosting two onsite edit-a-thons adding authoritative information to Wikipedia. Wikipedia had been previously identified as lacking in diversity in its representation of women artists. Reference material on Australian women artists for the edit-a-thons, and ongoing Wiki Club, was supplied by the Research Library, resulting in 128 articles edited and over 700 references added to Wikipedia. The project at large identified a gap in equity and diversity in research library collections, and the audit methodology demonstrates a pragmatic approach to library collection analysis. Substantive work is required for cultural institutions to create representative collections, and libraries have an opportunity to lead though their own collection development practices. This paper outlines one approach to equity and diversity analysis in a research library setting, thus providing a pathway for others to emulate and develop in their own collections work. Diversity is an important concept for Library collections. We need to accurately reflect the societies within which we live and operate, thereby maintaining our relevance and importance. Analysis and understanding of our collections will allow us to do this with greater ease.

About: Elizabeth Little has been the Manager, Research Library & Archives at the National Gallery of Australia since May 2020. She has an extensive background in fine arts and research libraries, having worked at both the National Art School (Sydney) and the State Library of New South Wales. Elizabeth has worked in a range of roles in the GLAM sector, including as a museum guide for the Historic Houses Trust (NSW). She has been an associate member of ALIA since 2009, and holds degrees in Information Science, Art History and Theory and Arts Administration.

Lea holds a Bachelor of Art Theory from the University of New South Wales and a Master of Library and Information Science from the University of California, Los Angeles, where she was the Kenneth Karmiole Fellow 2019-2020. She has a background in special collections and academic libraries in the visual arts and has been recently appointed Head Librarian at the National Art School.