Each graduate of the Master of Library and Information Science program is able to articulate the ethics, values, and foundational principles of library and information professionals and their role in the promotion of intellectual freedom.
Throughout the history of the profession, laws, regulations, dominant views and social unrest created challenges and barriers in the availability of information and resources. The banning of books is a prime example of this experience. Books, such as, Catcher in the Rye , were banned because of its profanity and “it’s communist plot.” Other books have been banned, such as, Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Cage Bird Sings, because it was viewed as “hateful and bitter towards whites (Zalusky, 2012).” As information professionals we have an important responsibility to provide access to information and materials to the communities that we serve. One of the fundamentals principles of the information profession is access to information that is beneficial to the individual and society at large. Intellectual freedom is defined by the American Library Associating (ALA) as the right for individuals to seek and receive information from all points of views without restrictions (American Library Association). This concept of intellectual freedom lays the groundwork for many of the ethics and values of the information profession. When information professionals are faced with moral dilemmas and issues that prevent or hinder access to information, that fundamental principle is challenged. Our responsibility is to provide information that is beneficial but in certain situations some information is harmful or violates regulations and laws. Information professions are faced with the challenge of deciding whether information is beneficial, harmful or illegal, without judgment or bias. As a result, the formation and membership of Associations provides the field with guidance when dealing with the delicate balance of access.
The American Library Association (ALA) provides a set of ethics and values that help guide the behaviors and decision making of information professionals. There are several documents that provide the foundations needed to understand the responsibilities and issues that librarians face. The ALA Code of Ethics is one document that librarians and the general public can access to read and understand the ethical principles that guide the profession. The Code of Ethics is outlined in eight sections and covers three major areas, which are, access issues, rights of authors and creators and employment issues. These Ethics lay the “framework” for many in the profession but “they cannot and do not dictate conduct to cover particular situations (American Library Association, 2008).” The ethics serve as guidelines, not statues or polices that require procedures for situations. The profession and the informational needs of patrons are constantly growing so it requires guidelines that fit the changing needs and that one can refer to in unique circumstances. Issues that information professionals grapple with include, and are not limited to, copyright issues of digital materials and censorship of “ harmful” materials. Information professionals are often faced with unique issues and dilemmas that require a look at the ethics in the profession to make decisions that are beneficial to the patrons and co-workers they work with.
The ALA Bill of Rights is a set of five articles that support intellectual freedom and the rights of users to access information. It also provides articles that encourage libraries to question and challenge censorship and restrictions of any kind. These articles can be interpreted to apply to a wide range of situations and issues. One example includes the ability of libraries to provide adequate spaces to all patrons to allow them to express their right to free speech. Patrons in diverse populations such as the disabled and the homeless showcase a unique set of needs and challenges. For example, challenges to the homeless include, polices that require permanent addresses for library cards. Other issues include, loitering and sleeping polices that prevent the homeless from occupying library spaces. These challenges often require a review of the bill of rights and core values to accommodate with the resources available. For librarians, finding alternatives to policies serves the best interest of the community of users who want to access materials and information.
The Core Values of Librarianship is another document that explains the fundamentals of librarianship and that also tie together with the Library Bill of Rights and the Code of Ethics into a list of values. The Core values of Librarianship cover:
Access
Confidentiality /Privacy
Democracy
Diversity
Education/Lifelong Learning
Intellectual Freedom
The Public Good
Preservation
Professionalism
Service
Social Responsibility
(American Library Association, 2004)
These core values rely on equality and democracy to lay the groundwork for intellectual freedom to flourish. An understanding of these values is vital to the goals of the profession to provide access to information because it cultivates, informs and educates our society. The ALA Code of ethics, Bill of Rights and Core Values of Librarianship can be found at the ALA website (http://www.ala.org ) and in the ALA Policy Manuel (http://www.ala.org/aboutala/governance/policymanual). These are documents that provide standards and guidance for information professions to remember and reference throughout our careers.
The information professional field consists of other professional associations that also provide guidance. The Society of American Archivists also abides by their own code of ethics and values that share similar goals, ethics and values of the American Library Association. One common value includes equal access to materials and the preservation of materials. This can be a unique challenge for archivists because some materials are too fragile for ongoing patron use. Archivists want to protect their holdings but they need to allow some access. Other values include privacy of patrons and the privacy of information contained in their holdings. Holdings may be restricted for a number of years to protect the privacy of donors, writers and subjects. Access to materials is sometimes a balance between privacy and law. Archivists have a unique role in preserving information for future use while protecting the rights and privacy of others. Archivist’s responsibility is to protect their materials and provide equal and un-judgmental access to educate the masses. Access to materials that will educate the masses is a common value that archivists share with librarians. To ensure that information professionals are working towards common goals and values, such as the promotion of intellectual freedom, associations help unite, support and educate professionals in the field.
Competency Development:
The courses in the San Jose State University MLIS program have prepared me to face the challenges that information professionals encounter. Many of the courses have set the groundwork for me to think critically about the challenges information professionals face with developmental assignments and lively discussions. Courses, such as, Libr 200, Information and Society, introduced me to the fundamental values and ethics that govern the information profession. This course also introduced me to the importance of associations in our field because of the resources they provide to help support our career development. Libr 200 provided me with assignments and discussions that looked at issues that effect our values and ethics and challenged us to look at and reflect upon proposed solutions. There are not always right or wrong solutions, but a careful overview of the fundamental values and ethics guided me through many assignments. Many of the issues we discussed related to access, privacy, and technology and how these issues affect our field. For example, we looked at how information is now readily available in multiple formats and devices, and the concerns it raises for privacy and copyright. Users may not understand how to set up privacy settings, or may not understand that not everything on the web is “free” to borrow. I think this course was vital to my understanding of information literacy and helped me develop the building blocks I need for future challenges.
My Libr 284 course, Digital Preservation, looked at issues of copyright, and the importance of understanding copyright law for all materials acquired for digitalization. For institutions, copyright knowledge is vital to prevent legal problems with the creators of these materials. When digitalizing materials, it is important to look at copyright because these materials will be made available to the public. Copyright is a delicate and complicated process and includes money, time and research for attaining permissions and licenses for materials. Since copyright laws depend on the year of publication, or the death dates of creators, materials need to be individually investigated. This course provided me with a basic understanding of copyright law, and let me develop my research skills with examples of materials that could or could not be digitized. We looked at various situations that included anonymous works and photographs, letters with living or deceased authors and everything in between, to expose us to a variety of possible situations where copyright law needed to be looked at. These situations allowed me to investigate copyright and make decisions about whether it was possible to digitalize. This course also allowed me to look at how copyright can affect access to materials, and how a basic understanding of copyright law can allow materials to be digitized for educational and preservation reasons. These courses have given me the basic tools, resources and skills that I need to deal with the challenges that affect the fundamental values and ethics of our profession.
Evidence 1: Libr 284 Copyright Assignment
In Library 284, Digital Preservation, I assessed the copyright status of materials for the purpose of digitalization. Looking at current copyright law from the U.S Copyright Office, I assessed three different scenarios with three types of materials. These materials included a letter, photograph and book that all varied in authorship. In my assessment I discussed whether it was possible to digitize these items and any legal risks associated with digitalization. Some of these materials have not entered public domain and includes unpublished materials and anonymous sources that make it difficult to find copyright owners. Typically copyright law favor’s the creator and their commercial interests. I think its fair to protect creator’s content and economic interests, but some of the research to contact owners, licensing for serials and materials is very restrictive and expensive to libraries that have limited budgets. This denies certain types of materials and information to people. This causes a dilemma for informational professionals who want to follow the law but also want to provide accessible information to patrons. As I looked at these materials I was faced with issues of privacy, copyright, preservation and access. In situations like this, it is important to look at the ethical issues at stake and to reference the fundamental values of the field. Thus, I applied my research and knowledge of copyright and the values of our profession to find a way to make these materials available for digitalization. I examined Title 17 of the U.S Code as way to safeguard the organization and allow access to these materials for educational purposes. This is an example of how Libraries and other organizations have to adapt with restrictions that are placed on materials to figure out what is the appropriate dissemination of these materials.
Evidence 2: Libr 200 Discussion Post #3
In my Libr 200, Information and Society, course we disused a variety of topics and issues that information professionals face when interacting with patrons. One particular post struck me as an important example of a possible situation where an informational professional needs to deliberate over their professional and personal moral obligations and values when assisting patrons. The post asked us to deliberate what we would do if a patron enters the public library asking for information about making a homemade bomb. In this post I discuss the ethical implications of providing and not providing this information. This situation poses a moral dilemma because we do not want to cause harm to others if we provide this information but at the same time we don’t want to make assumptions that will hinder access. I referenced the Library Bill of Rights I-V and the Library Code of Ethics I ,II, and VII when thinking about unbiased service and access. This post is also a really good example about the significance of conducting a reference interview. The reference interview will allow us to dig deeper into the informational needs of our users, so we don’t make assumptions and provide proper resources or alternatives. In this post, I don’t have the one on one contact to distinguish if their informational needs are dangerous, so I shouldn’t let my judgments deny the patron information. This post showcases how I would deliberate over issues that challenge our assumptions about the informational needs, while thinking about the values of the information professional field as guides.
Evidence 3: Libr 200 Reflection Essay
Another example of dealing with issues of access is a Refection essay I wrote in my Library 200 course, Information and Society. In this reflection, I look at how the library promotes intellectual freedom utilizing the Internet and its varies technologies. I also discussed its service values and how it meets our patron’s demands for digital information. According to the ALA Policy Manuel, “Libraries and librarians protect and promote these rights regardless of the format or technology employed to create and disseminate information (American Library Association, 1996, B.2.1.19). ” This Statement is vital to intellectual freedom because information is now readily available in digital forms that many patrons would prefer to use for various reasons. We live in a high pace society where the need for fast information trends towards Internet sources as one of the first contacts a patron makes. This also applies to using technological resources, other than traditional resources. Some patrons find these resources more accessible to them than traditional methods. For example, these resources are accessible after-hours, when a patron can’t come in due to work or a disability. The Internet is an essential tool at out deposal because it gives libraries the ability to make materials accessible in different formats. Although the Internet provides us with convenient information and resources, there are also some ethical issues associated with the Internet. The potential for misinformation and copyright issues arises with the abundance of information available. Part of our responsibilities is to assist our patrons in finding legitimate resources that satisfy there needs and, if possible, educating them about copyright usage. This reflection demonstrates the ways I can think critically about developments in technology and how they impact our field. This reflection also demonstrates how using technological resources allow us to provide better and accessible services.
Conclusion:
Through my coursework, I have demonstrated how to articulate the fundamental values and ethics that govern the information profession. My coursework allowed me to look into situations that involved law, moral dilemmas, and technology. Looking into real-world situations and evaluating the circumstances surrounding them I demonstrate how I would apply and interpret the values of the information profession. Issues, such as, privacy, preservation, copyright, and access will become more complicated as technology develops, so it is important to understand the fundamental values that shape our profession. It is important to look at these values, no matter what association I am affiliated with because they all share common goals. As reference tools, these values will help me make decisions that will benefit the communities I work with and help me understand difficult situations. The importance of understanding these fundamental values is crucial to my career as an information professional and will guide me through challenges that will continue to develop as we progress in the 21st century.
References
American Library Association. Intellectual Freedom and Censorship Q & A.. Retrieved February 2015, from http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/censorshipfirstamendmentissues/ifcensorshipqanda#ifpoint6
American Library Association. (1996). Library Bill of Rights. Retrieved February 2015, from http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill
American Library Association. (1996). “B.2.1.19 Access to Digital Information, Services, and Networks .” ALA Policy Manuel. Retrieved February 2015, from http://www.ala.org/aboutala/governance/policymanual/updatedpolicymanual/section2/53intellfreedom#B.2.1.19
American Library Association. (2004). Core Values of Librarianship. Retrieved February 2015, from http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/statementspols/corevalues
American Library Association. (2008). Code of Ethics of the American Library Association. Retrieved February 2015, from http://www.ala.org/advocacy/proethics/codeofethics/codeethics
Society of American Archivists. (2004). Core Values Statement and Code of Ethics. Retrieved February, 2015, from http://www2.archivists.org/statements/saa-core-values-statement-and-code-of-ethics
Zalusky, S. (2012). Defending the Freedom to Read: The History of Banned Books Week. Retrieved February 11, 2015, from http://www.atyourlibrary.org/culture/defending-freedom-read-history-banned-books-week
Assignments