The Division of Library and Information Science prepares
graduate students for their responsibilities as practicing
librarians and information professionals. In their roles as
information specialists they significantly influence or control the
selection, organization, preservation and dissemination of
information in an increasingly global environment; therefore, their
professional conduct must be guided by the highest ethical
standards.
Information professionals hold with the values common to every
profession of courtesy, respect, and accuracy in all dealings with
their clients and users. The American Library Association's Code of
Ethics encourages the highest level of service to all library
users, with a strong commitment to intellectual freedom and freedom
of access to information. These freedoms include physical and legal
access to information, the right to privacy and confidentiality,
and the support of intellectual property rights. Librarians and
information professionals are dedicated to providing access to
current, complete, and accurate information and to helping others
determine the accuracy and reliability of information sources.
Continuing professional development is considered an ethical
imperative in order to remain competent, current and anticipate
future information needs.
Librarians and information professionals are acutely aware of
the increased need for attention to information ethics created by
the electronic environment. New information technologies increase
the kinds and amount of information available; affect the ease,
speed, and universality of access to information; and have
implications for intellectual property rights. Librarians and
information professionals agree that it is their responsibility to
keep abreast of these technologies and the issues they raise for
information ethics. This site was created to help information
professionals become aware of the variety of ethical issues they
will face and help them to develop their own ethical framework for
decision-making.
Library Codes of Ethics
Articles
Beghtol, C. "A Proposed
Ethical Warrant for Global Knowledge Representation and
Organization Systems." Journal of Documentation. 58.5
(2002): 507-532. (2002)
Byrne, A. IFLA and professional ethics. Australian
Library Journal, 53, 31-38. (2004)
Canby, S.F. Librarians and
leadership. Information Outlook, 8, 24-27. (2004)
Koehler, W. Professional
values and ethics as defined by “the LIS discipline.” Journal
of Education for Library & Information Science, 44,
99-118. (2003)
Books
Alfino, M. & Pierce, L.
Information Ethics for Librarians. Jefferson, N.C.:
McFarland, 2002.
Gorman, M. The enduring
library: technology, tradition and the quest for balance.
Chicago: American Library Association, 2003.
Hauptman, R. Ethics and
Librarianship. Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland, 2002.
Additional Websites