INFO 289 ePortfolio – Dr. Patricia Franks
SJSU School of Information / Fall 2015
Patricia Ayame Thomson
Competency A
Demonstrate awareness of the ethics, values, and foundational principles of one of the information professions, and discuss the importance of intellectual freedom within that profession
The information professionals’ values and ethics are articulated in the American Library Association’s (ALA) Code of Ethics. Within the context of the profession, it is improbable for the American Library Association to regulate every single situation that may possibly arise in advance. Consequently, there is neither a chart nor a list of regulations that information professionals can enforce when it comes to facing ethical issues and resulting decisions. Due to the unenforceability of the Code of Ethics, the onus of responsibility to know and follow the code falls directly on the information professional. This makes it extremely important for the information professional to become familiar with the American Library Association’s Code of Ethics and plant it firmly in their minds, since each encounter with patrons will vary from one situation to another.
The American Library Association’s Code of Ethics is divided into eight compulsory parts. Although they are not hard and fast rules, these eight principles provide a framework for information professionals to follow. The first section of the Code of Ethics states that the information professional must provide equal access to all library resources for patrons organized in an easily accessible way. In addition, the code encourages us to offer the highest level of service accompanied by polite and courteous interaction with patrons.
In the second section, the Code of Ethics states that as information professionals, we uphold the principles of intellectual freedom and do our best not to censor or prohibit any library materials from patrons. For instance, some of the most highly regarded books have been banned by schools catering to special interests and personal opinions. As information professionals, it is our obligation to disseminate all the information equally to as many people as possible without hindering accessibility.
The importance of upholding and protecting the privacy and confidentiality of all library patrons is stated in the third section of the Code of Ethics. The privacy principle includes the practice not to disclose or expose what the patron borrows from the library or the information they seek. Also as information professionals, we our obligated to protect all library patrons’ personal information included in the library records. For instance, even if it is requested by the patron’s spouse, we do not disclose any information sought or library materials borrowed if the couple has separate library cards. Unless there is a police investigation or a court stipulated order, as information professionals, we do our utmost to protect the privacy and confidentiality of all our library patrons.
Also as information professionals, we are often caught between the interests of the creators of intellectual property and recipients of the information. As a result, it is important for us to balance our interests and advocate for both the creator and receiver of the intellectual property. It is important for information professionals to observe copyright laws and other intellectual property rights, so there is equitable treatment and protection assured for all the parties involved.
The fifth section of the ALA’s Code of Ethics mentions the way we treat our co-workers at the information institution. This code advocates treating not only other librarians but all employees of the library with respect and fairness and act in ways that protects their human rights and welfare.
In the sixth code, it states that we do not help advance private interests of any kind on behalf of the library. For example, the library’s activity room and the auditorium should be available for patrons and community groups either for instruction, disseminating information, and/or group meetings. However, the library or the people putting on the event should not charge any funds or use the activity room for financial gain. As information professionals, our goal is to advocate instruction and lifelong learning for all patrons for free or close to free, namely the cost of printing or copying.
As information professionals, the seventh code states that we will not let our own personal convictions and perspectives interfere with information provision of any kind. In librarianship, there is a clear distinction between the information professional’s own personal values and beliefs versus the aim of the library—which is to make all information accessible. The seventh code clearly articulates the importance of this distinction and states that there is no place in the work environment to interject personal opinions or views that may hinder the provision of information the patron is seeking. Patrons have a right to whatever information they seek, whether the subject agrees with the information professional’s personal perspectives or not. In addition, patrons are entitled to make up their own minds about the subject matter based on the information provided from a variety of perspectives, thus promoting intellectual freedom.
In the eighth and last code, it states that as information professionals, we must continue to strive for excellence and further our knowledge about our profession, as well as, other pertinent and current information. In order to remain relevant in the world as information professionals, we should seek to better ourselves by continuing our education outside the formal school setting and improve on areas that need improvement. It is also clearly stated in the eighth code that we should help the development of our colleagues and co-workers, as well as, nurture potential future librarians.
In order to efficiently and effectively practice the above eight ethical principals, the ALA’s Code of Ethics provides a strong framework for a variety of situations that may arise in the workplace. Conflicts arise when information professionals do not have the principles of the Code of Ethics firmly inculcated in their mind. Therefore, in order to practice the Code of Ethics instantaneously and effortlessly, we have to know the codes so well that they become second nature.
Evidence to Support Competency A
LIBR 200 Information and Society
This artifact is from a discussion post from the San Jose State University, School of Library and Information Science course, LIBR 200 – Information and Society. I believe the content of the discussion post clearly demonstrates my knowledge and awareness about the ethics, values, and fundamental principles instilled in the information professional. In addition, the discussion post explores and examines the various principles in the American Library Association’s Code of Ethics, along with a reflection of my personal values. Also in the discussion post, the importance of intellectual freedom is examined within the context of the profession’s values.
One of the most important issues in the artifact relates to the librarianship profession’s sense of social responsibility. Apart from the American Library Association’s (ALA) Code of Ethics, the recent passage of the Health Care Reform Bill fulfills one of the objectives of the ALA’s “Library Services for the Poor” Section 61, Objective 13—which promotes national health insurance. As it is one of the core principles of the librarianship profession, information professionals must continue to respond to the increasing number of poor children and adults, as well as, the disenfranchised and underserved population of America.
Also, privacy protection is a critical part of librarianship. Due to the fear of exposure and demoralization, people may not seek out the information they need and stay away from libraries. There are many barriers that could potentially keep people from visiting the library, for example, language, economic status, illness, and disabilities. As a result, it is of utmost importance to ensure patrons with privacy protection to win their trust and alleviate their fear of inappropriate exposure.
In addition, in order to address the unenforceability of the ALA’s Code of Ethics, the infrastructure and regulations of unions are discussed in the post compared to a code. In particular, the discussion post mentions the rules and regulations of the Screen Actors Guild (union) in order to illustrate that a set of black-and-white rules is easier to enforce. On the other hand, a code can only provide a framework and is not meant to mandate the information professional’s conduct in every given situation.
Another important issue discussed in the artifact is censorship in controlled societies. Throughout history, there have been many instances where books were burned and voices silenced because of oppressive and fascist governments. The examples range from the Chinese Cultural Revolution to the death threat on the life of the British-Indian novelist, Salmon Rushdie. The examples illustrated in the discussion should be a constant reminder that it is imperative for information professionals to protect and promote intellectual freedom and resist censorship of any kind.
While the enforceability of the rules and regulations on the Internet are still developing, people are constantly finding ways to penetrate, master, and overcome the latest technology. In this age of information overload, technical privacy is of utmost concern. Although Dr. Rubin’s textbook mentions the “Ten Commandments of Computer Ethics,” it is difficult if not improbable to impose and expect ethical conduct from all computer users. In the face of reality, it is important for information professionals to be even more vigilant with privacy protection—especially with the library records.
The last point discussed in the post is about potential ethical conflicts that may arise for the information professional. One example of an ethical conflict occurs when a patron requests information of questionable nature. As mentioned in the ALA’s Code of Ethics, the primary goal of information professionals is to provide the most accurate and exact information requested by the patron regardless of its perspective or viewpoint. However, in this day of foreign and home-grown terrorism and the enforcement of the Patriot Act, privacy issues are not so compartmentalized. There is definitely a large grey area and the boundaries are not clearly delineated when dealing with such controversial issues. However, if a patron asks for books to create something illegal or dangerous in nature—like bombs, it may be prudent to inform the supervisor. This and various other principles covered in the discussion above conclude the evidence section for Competency A.
All That I Learned to Demonstrate Evidence of Competency A
Although this is the only artifact I am submitting to demonstrate my knowledge for Competency A, it includes all of the principles that set the framework of conduct for information professionals based on the American Library Association’s Code of Ethics. I believe the discussion post is comprehensive and extensive enough to demonstrate my mastery of the ethics, values, and principle of intellectual freedom in the librarianship profession.
I learned the American Library Association’s Code of Ethics previously in my courses. Simultaneously, mastering Competency A for the ePortfolio has helped me plant the eight principles of the code firmly in my mind. In order to act spontaneously and responsibly when potential ethical issues arise at the workplace, I am glad I now have the code inculcated in the back of my mind.
Reference:
American Library Association’s Code of Ethics weblink: http://www.ala.org/advocacy/proethics/codeofethics/codeethics
Rubin, R. E., (2004) Foundations of library and information science. 2nd Ed. New York: Neal-Schuman Publishers, Inc.