Ethics for Academic Librarians Barbara M. Wildemuth School of Information & Library Science University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Tapping the vast reservoir of human knowledge --Louis Round Wilson, founder, 1931
Ethical Issues in Librarianship Intellectual property Information accuracy Access to information Access to technology Privacy Davis Library
Reasoning about Ethical Issues Personal valuesProfessional values Ethical reasoning: Consequences, principles Ethical decisions
Values Personal values From upbringing From religious beliefs Professional values From professional associations
ALA Code of Ethics the highest level of service to all library users… equitable service policies; equitable access… uphold the principles of intellectual freedom and resist all efforts to censor… protect each library user's right to privacy and confidentiality… respect intellectual property rights treat co-workers and other colleagues with respect, fairness and good faith… do not advance private interests at the expense of library users, colleagues, or our employing institutions do not allow our personal beliefs to interfere with fair representation of the aims of our institutions… strive for excellence in the profession…
Ethical Reasoning Based on the consequences of your action Utilitarianism: Choose the action that has the best overall consequences for everyone concerned. Based on a general principle or rule Kant’s categorical imperative: “Act only according to that maxim by which you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law.”
Consider a hypothetical chat reference service offered by the UNC Health Sciences Library What moral obligation does the library have to protect the privacy of those engaged in chat reference sessions? Health Sciences Library An example: privacy
Clarify your own values Check for professional codes of ethics that pertain to your setting Consider the consequences Consider general principles that pertain to the situation Reminders Wilson Library