Dominique Burns e-Portfolio

Introduction

Librarian Nancy Pearl once said, “The role of a librarian is to make sense of the world of information. If that's not a qualification for superhero-dom, what is” (Eckstrand, 2009, p. 75)? When one thinks of superheroes they think of someone who ethically adheres to a set of values and principles, while helping others. Librarians in the 21st century are responsible for ethically helping people access information related to our past, present, and future. They are required to provide information to individuals no matter their background and to protect the privacy of those individuals. In their own right librarians are information superheroes that must adhere to their own set of professional ethics, values, and foundational principles as they assist patrons and make sense of the world of information.

​

Ethics

Cassell and Hiremath (2013) write, “Ethical awareness and engagement is a crucial aspect of all library services, and the ideals that have been established for the profession generally apply fully to those working in reference services” (p.4).  This is why the American Library Association created a Code of Ethics for information professionals and librarians. The ALA Code of Ethics includes the following eight statements:

 

1. We provide the highest level of service to all library users through appropriate and usefully organized resources; equitable service policies; equitable access; and accurate, unbiased, and courteous responses to all requests.

2. We uphold the principles of intellectual freedom and resist all efforts to censor library resources.

3. We protect each library user's right to privacy and confidentiality with respect to information sought or received and resources consulted, borrowed, acquired or transmitted.

4. We respect intellectual property rights and advocate balance between the interests of information users and rights holders.

5. We treat co-workers and other colleagues with respect, fairness, and good faith, and advocate conditions of employment that safeguard the rights and welfare of all employees of our institutions.

6. We do not advance private interests at the expense of library users, colleagues, or our employing institutions.

7. We distinguish between our personal convictions and professional duties and do not allow our personal beliefs to interfere with fair representation of the aims of our institutions or the provision of access to their information resources.

8. We strive for excellence in the profession by maintaining and enhancing our own knowledge and skills, by encouraging the professional development of co-workers, and by fostering the aspirations of potential members of the profession (American Library Association, 2016).

 

These eight statements help guide librarians to ethically help patrons navigate the information world. This Code of Ethics “Encourages librarians to provide the same high level of service to all library users and to provide information that is accurate, unbiased and courteous” (Cassell & Hiremath, 2013, p. 4). This means that librarians must rid themselves of biases toward certain materials and separate “Professional responsibility” from “Personal interests” (Cassell & Hiremath, 2013, p. 4). Librarians are not information gatekeepers, but rather advocates for intellectual freedom and the right to information. 

​

Intellectual Freedom

According to Morgan (2006) “Intellectual freedom accords to all library users the right to seek and receive information on all subjects from all points of view without restriction and without having the subject of one’s interest examined or scrutinized by others” (p. 3). In order to properly advocate for the intellectual rights of patrons, librarians must adhere to a set of institutional ethics and values, such as the Library Bill of Rights. This document helps librarians avoid censorship, protect the privacy of their patrons, and provide a welcoming environment for seeking and sharing information. The Library Bill of Rights includes the following six policies:

1. Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.

2. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.

3. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment

4. Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas.

5. A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.

6. Libraries which make exhibit spaces and meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make such facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use. 

7. (American Library Association, 2016)

  

Values

According to the American Library Association “Modern librarianship rests on an essential set of core values that define, inform, and guide our professional practice” (American Library Association, 2016). These values include Access, Confidentially/Privacy, Democracy, Diversity, Educational and Lifelong Learning, Intellectual Freedom, Preservation, The Public Good, Professionalism, Service, and Social Responsibility. Here are the following values according to the American Library Association:

 

1. Access

“All information resources that are provided directly or indirectly by the library, regardless of technology, format, or methods of delivery, should be readily, equally, and equitably accessible to all library users.”

   

2. Confidentiality/Privacy

“Protecting user privacy and confidentiality is necessary for intellectual freedom and fundamental to the ethics and practice of librarianship.”

   

3. Democracy

“A democracy presupposes an informed citizenry. The First Amendment mandates the right of all persons to free expression, and the corollary right to receive the constitutionally protected expression of others. The publicly supported library provides free and equal access to information for all people of the community the library serves.”

   

4. Diversity

“We value our nation's diversity and strive to reflect that diversity by providing a full spectrum of resources and services to the communities we serve.”

   

5. Education and Lifelong Learning

“ALA promotes the creation, maintenance, and enhancement of a learning society, encouraging its members to work with educators, government officials, and organizations in coalitions to initiate and support comprehensive efforts to ensure that school, public, academic, and special libraries in every community cooperate to provide lifelong learning services to all.”

   

6. Intellectual Freedom

“We uphold the principles of intellectual freedom and resist all efforts to censor library resources.”

   

7. The Public Good

“ALA reaffirms the following fundamental values of libraries in the context of discussing outsourcing and privatization of library services. These values include that libraries are an essential public good and are fundamental institutions in democratic societies.”

   

8. Preservation

“The Association supports the preservation of information published in all media and formats. The association affirms that the preservation of information resources is central to libraries and librarianship.”

   

9. Professionalism

“The American Library Association supports the provision of library services by professionally qualified personnel who have been educated in graduate programs within institutions of higher education. It is of vital importance that there be professional education available to meet the social needs and goals of library services.”

   

10. Service

“We provide the highest level of service to all library users ...We strive for excellence in the profession by maintaining and enhancing our own knowledge and skills, by encouraging the professional development of co-workers, and by fostering the aspirations of potential members of the profession.”

   

11. Social Responsibility

“ALA recognizes its broad social responsibilities. The broad social responsibilities of the American Library Association are defined in terms of the contribution that librarianship can make in ameliorating or solving the critical problems of society; support for efforts to help inform and educate the people of the United States on these problems and to encourage them to examine the many views on and the facts regarding each problem; and the willingness of ALA to take a position on current critical issues with the relationship to libraries and library service set forth in the position statement.”

(American Library Association, 2016)

 

Foundational Principles

The American Library Association Code of Ethics and the Library Bill of Rights provide foundational principles for librarians and libraries everywhere. These documents provide a set of ethics and values that help guide librarians as they continue to help patrons navigate the world of information. According to Mason (2016) “Many ethical conundrums are faced every day in reference work. How they are dealt with can have serious repercussions for both individuals and society” (p.1). This is why it is important for librarians everywhere to adhere to a set of foundational principles that help them ethically within the profession. Besides the American Library Association Code of Ethics and the Library Bill of Rights, there are other documents that include foundational principles for the library science profession. The Reference and User Services Guidelines (RUSA Guidelines) is another example of ethical guidelines, values, and procedures for librarians as they assist patrons in the library. You can read more about the RUSA Guidelines by clicking on the button below. 

​

​

​

​

Evidence

The following evidence includes MLIS coursework that I have completed during my time at San Jose State University.

​​

1. INFO 200 Information Communities: Blog Report #5 Ethical or Legal Issues

2. INFO 210 Reference and Information Services: RUSA Reference Interview Transcript and Analysis

3. INFO 266 Collection Management: Ethical Dilemma Case Study

4. INFO 281 Seminar in Contemporary Issues – Graphic Novels (Adult/Teen): Case Study Intellectual Freedom 

​

INFO 200 Information Communities: Blog Report #5 Ethical or Legal Issues

 

Evidence:

• Blog Report #5 Ethical or Legal Issues: https://domburns.wordpress.com/2015/03/20/blog-report-5-ethical-or-legal-issue/

 

This blog report required me to report on an ethical or legal issue related to an information community. I wrote about the ethical dilemmas librarians may face with the online information community Twitch.tv. The site allows users to stream themselves playing video games and share video game related content. In this discussion post I wrote about freedom and privacy, copyright, ethics of librarianship, and intellectual freedom in relation to this online information community. I also reflected on the readings from the week that discussed various ethical and legal issues in librarianship that come from the expansion and development of technology. 

​

INFO 210 Reference and Information Services: RUSA Reference Interview Transcript and Analysis

 

Evidence:

• RUSA Reference Interview Transcript and Analysis

 

I created a pretend reference interview using the RUSA “Guidelines for Behavioral Performance of Reference Information Service Providers.” In this imaginary transcript I addressed an ethical and legal related issue between a reference librarian and patron. The reference librarian had to ethically assist the patron and answer their question by adhering to the five RUSA guidelines. These guidelines included visibility, approachability, interest, listening and inquiring, searching, and follow up. I also reflected on the pretend interview by discussing class readings on the ethics of the library science field.  

​

INFO 266 Collection Management: Ethical Dilemma Case Study

 

Evidence:

• Ethical Dilemma Case Study

 

I was given two case studies related to library services that were ethically questionable. The first ethical dilemma was called “Director Do Thy Bidding.” In this case study a library director was acting on his own to buy items for the library’s collection through eBay. I discussed the ethical complications of this by referencing class readings and sharing my own personal insights on the case study. The second case study was called “Farming out the Library.” This case study was about a library that was unable to communicate internally and externally. The government wanted to cut the library’s budget and shorten hours. I reflected on how the library had failed to communicate its value to their stakeholders and how detrimental that could be. 

​

 

INFO 281 Seminar in Contemporary Issues – Graphic Novels (Adult/Teen): Case Study Intellectual Freedom

 

Evidence:

• Case Study Intellectual Freedom

 

This discussion post required me to choose a case study from the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund and discuss the outcomes. Each case study included a banned or challenged graphic novel. In some of these case studies the challenged graphic novel was removed from the library and/or re-printed with censored pages. After discussing the case study I reflected on how the library staff didn’t adhere to the Library Bill of Rights. As well, how the library staff failed to advocate and protect the intellectual freedoms of their students. 

​

Conclusion

My coursework has provided me with a stronger understanding of the ethics, values, and the fundamental principles involved in the library science field. I was able to learn about the importance and significance of documents such as the American Library Association Code of Ethics, American Library Association Values, and the Library Bill of Rights. I now realize how imperative it is to protect the privacy of patrons and their rights to information. I feel that the coursework presented above reflects my ability to apply what I have learned about ethics, values, and the fundamental principles of librarianship to real life settings.  

 

References

American Library Association. (2016). Code of ethics. Retrieved from  

    http://www.ala.org/advocacy/proethics/codeofethics/codeethics

 

American Library Association. (2016). Core values. Retrieved from

    http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/statementspols/corevalues

 

American Library Association. (2016). Library bill of rights. Retrieved from

    http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill

 

American Library Association. (2013). Guidelines for behavioral performance of reference and information service    

    providers. Retrieved from

    http://www.ala.org/rusa/resources/guidelines/guidelinesbehavioral

 

Cassell, K. A., & Hiremath, U. (2013). Reference and information services: An introduction (3rd ed.). Chicago: Neal-Schuman, an imprint of the American Library Association.

 

Eckstrand, T. (Year of 2009). The librarian’s book of quotes. Chicago, IL: American Library Association.

 

Mason, M.K. (2016). Ethics of librarianship: Intellectual freedom, and censorship in the age of technology.

    Retrieved from

    http://www.moyak.com/papers/ethics-librarianship.html

 

Morgan, C. A. (2006). Intellectual freedom manual. Chicago, IL: American Library Association.

​