Ethics in Librarianship

We have spent a lot of time talking about the history, future and image of Libraries and librarians. One of the questions that came up was if librarians were professionals or not. Needless to say we all think that librarians should be classed as professionals but obviously the criticism from those outside the profession needs to be addressed. In his discussion on the status of librarianship as a profession Rubin says:

“The debate over the distinctiveness of librarianship will continue, and this
lack of clarity spills over into the question of whether it can rightfully be
called a profession at all. … The most popular approach, although not
necessarily the most intellectually satisfying, is called trait theory. In
this theory, professions are accepted or rejected based on whether they possess
certain traits. Among these traits are that a profession … exercises
control over the conduct of its practitioners though licensure and a code of
ethics.” (2004 p.468)

The ALA does have a code of ethics. However in a 2005 survey done by Kathy Hoffman, the executive director of the Research Medical Library the University of Texas, just over two thirds (68%) responded that they were aware of the ALA code of ethics. (2005)

"It is also a prudent bet that not too many libraries today have the Code posted
publicly (or privately) anywhere in the building. And, I believe it could be
safely contended that the great majority of librarians today would have a hard
time accurately and coherently stating even three of the eight principles in the
Code. How powerful and successful is such a tool when it is somewhat a nonentity
in actual practice? How can it be, truly, an "ethical" code when it is often
unknown, often ignored, or often deliberately unheeded?” (Bernstein ,2004)

Is it little wonder then that the general public has no awareness of librarian’s stance on such issues as privacy and access, not to mention a better understanding of library policy?

Ethics is probably one of the thorniest issues of librarianship. We can probably all agree that preservation and the advancement of literacy are noble causes and support them wholeheartedly, but when it comes to ethics however things become more ambiguous. The ALA itself acknowledges this by adding this preamble: “The principles of this Code are expressed in broad statements to guide ethical decision making. These statements provide a framework; they cannot and do not dictate conduct to cover particular situations.” (2008) This ambiguity makes it nearly impossible for a professional governing body to enforce or sanction violators; another element of Rubin’s criteria of professionalism. (2004)

Part of the problem of developing and upholding a standard code of ethics for libraries and librarians is the diverse nature of the library profession. We recognize that the mission and purpose of a rural public library will be vastly different from that of an urban corporate library but trying to adhere to the ALA code of ethics is difficult at best for some librarians. How should a school librarian balance the desire to uphold the code of ethics with the duties and perhaps even contractual obligations placed on them by the school that may conflict directly with that code?

Part of the problem could be the nature of the code itself. Alan Bernstein gives an interesting look at the Code of Ethics from a philosopher’s point of view in his article “Library Ethics 101”. He argues that “Examining the ALA code with a light toward actual practice reveals its unsoundness.” (2004) He then goes on to parse out the Code and give examples that reveal the ambiguity of the Code.

I don’t think that any code of ethics can be completely free of potential conflict. Just consider the physician’s code “First, do no harm”. This statement seems indisputable, but just think of the conflict a doctor must go through when deciding to do something like separate conjoined twins knowing there is a risk of death or injury. The ALA’s Code of Ethics could do with some revision. As it stands there too many ways that it is compromised. As Bernstein suggests “Our professional organization's code of ethics should be written simply, yet broadly enough so that librarians do not risk breaking the very code (or breaking the law) to do their jobs, satisfy their patrons, and please their supervisors.” (2004)


Bernstein, A. (2004, Winter). Library ethics 101. Georgia Library Quarterly, 40(4), p.5-7

Hoffman, K. (2005, Fall). Professional Ethics and Librarianship. Texas Library Journal, 81(3), p. 96-8, 100-1

Rubin, R. E. (1998). Foundations of library and information science. New York: Neal-Schuman.