Ethics

From SLNSW

Ethical considerations and responsibilities to clients are part of reference service.

Contents 1 Review 2 A Context for the Reference Process 3 ALIA Statement on Professional Conduct 4 ALIA Statement of Core Values 4.1 Major Point: Library work has important ethical considerations. Many of these are expressed in the ALIA Statement on Professional Conduct 5 Exercise

Review

Reference Service (Module 1) is one way libraries meet the information needs of the community. Discovering the real need behind a client's first question is an ongoing process of outreach, determining needs, fulfilling needs, and follow-up.

The reference interview (Module 2), using open questions, paraphrasing, clarifying and verifying, determines information needs. Model behaviours (approachability, comfort, interest, listening, inquiring, searching, informing, and follow-up) increase the chances for a successful interview and make clients comfortable in the library (Module 3). Meeting needs determined by the reference interview calls for effective search strategies (Module 4) to locate the resources (Module 5) in your library that answer the basic question of what the client really wants to know.

Module 6 provides information about professional conduct and your responsibilities to clients throughout the entire reference process.

A Context for the Reference Process

The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) has published a code of professional conduct and a set of core values that all library employees should understand. This code of conduct and set of core values helps us to preserve our clients' right to privacy, to fair and equitable treatment, and helps ensure that people who need information have access to it.

These are guidelines only. Many of the issues are very complex, and there are not always easy answers to every situation. You should be familiar with your own library's policies and procedures. Please check with your supervisor if you are not sure how to handle a situation.

ALIA Statement on Professional Conduct

The interactions between library and information services and their clients should be guided by the highest standards of service quality and characterised by the highest levels of integrity. Library and information service professionals should observe these standards by:

1. encouraging intellectual freedom and the free flow of information and ideas;
2. exercising their responsibilities within the context of duty of care for the clients of the library and information services they offer;
3. recognising and respecting the intellectual property of others;
4. protecting their clients' rights to privacy and confidentiality;
5. distinguishing in their actions and statements between their personal viewpoints and those of the library and information service that employs them or the Australian Library and Information Association;
6. maintaining and enhancing their professional knowledge and expertise, encouraging the professional development of their colleagues and fostering the aspirations of potential library and information service professionals;
7. avoiding situations in which personal interests might be, or be seen to be, in conflict with the interests of clients of library and information services, colleagues or employers.

ALIA Statement on Professional Conduct adopted 2001.

Your council will have a code of conduct. You need to be aware of what is contained in this policy and your obligations as a council employee.

ALIA Statement of Core Values

A thriving culture, economy, and democracy requires the free flow of information and ideas. Fundamental to that free flow of information and ideas are Australia's library and information services. They are a legacy to each generation, conveying the knowledge of the past and the promise of the future.

Library and information services professionals therefore commit themselves to the following core values of their profession:

1. Promotion of the free flow of information and ideas through open access to recorded knowledge, information, and creative works.
2. Connection of people to ideas.
3. Commitment to literacy, information literacy and learning.
4. Respect for the diversity and individuality of all people.
5. Preservation of the human record.
6. Excellence in professional service to our communities.
7. Partnerships to advance these values.

ALIA Statement of Core Values Adopted 2002.

Major Point: Library work has important ethical considerations. Many of these are expressed in the ALIA Statement on Professional Conduct

Exercise

• Find your council code of conduct. Read it.