Library Ethics

Price: $45.00
ISBN13: 9781591586364
ISBN10: 1591586364
Book code: LU8636
Libraries Unlimited
Paperback | 272 pages
Publication Date: 10/30/2008

DESCRIPTION

The evolution of ethical standards for librarians parallels the development of librarianship as a profession. Our most important professional values have been tested and debated in the course of formulating and adopting our codes of ethics. This book includes historical precedents and current examples of ethical issues facing the profession. It looks broadly at the many arenas in which librarians face ethical choices, helping practitioners identify an ethical dilemma and providing guidance on how to respond, how to separate personal belief from professional responsibility, and how to make exceptions in a principled way. Where appropriate references are included to the codes of ethics of other professions: journalists, booksellers, and lawyers.

This book looks broadly at the many arenas in which librarians face ethical choices and helps practitioners identify an ethical dilemma and provide guidance on how to respond, how to separate personal belief from professional responsibility, and how to make exceptions in a principled way.

CONTENTS

Acknowledgments

Introduction

1. Professionalism, Identity, and Values

2. Service: By Whom

3. Service: For Whom

4. Access: What Information

5. Access: Which Format

6. Conflicts of Interests: Philosophical

7. Conflicts of Interests: Financial

8. Confidentiality

9. Future

Jean Preer is Professor in the School of Library and Information Science at Indiana University-Indianapolis. She holds a Ph.D. and a J.D. from George Washington University and her MLS from Berkeley. She has also taught at The Catholic University of America. She has published many articles and chapters of books including Lawyers and Education: Black Colleges and Desegregation in Public Higher Education (Greenwood, 1982).