Professional ethics

1. Introduction to Ethics in Librarianship

A profession is defined by several key characteristics, including a specialized body of knowledge, a service orientation, and a formal code of ethics. Professional ethics provides a set of moral principles that govern the conduct, behaviour, values, and obligations of a professional to their clients and society. For the Library and Information Science (LIS) profession, ethics are essential for regulating the relationships librarians have with users, administrators, colleagues, and the book trade, helping to resolve complexities that arise in professional practice. A code of ethics serves as an expression of the ethos—the character, spirit, and culture—of the library profession, indicating what librarians stand for and what the public should expect from them.

2. General Ethics vs. Morals

To understand professional ethics, it is useful to distinguish between the related concepts of ethics and morals.

• Ethics: The term is derived from the Latin word ethicus, meaning the custom or character of a community. It is the science of moral principles that govern a person's or a group's behaviour. Ethics are often provided by an external source, such as a professional association, and guide members on optimal behaviour and the values of the profession.
• Morals: This is a more generic term referring to an individual's own principles regarding right and wrong. Morals are internal and stable, though they can change with an individual's beliefs.

Ethics are important when values conflict, as they guide the course of action and speak to the character of a profession.

3. The Importance and Objectives of Professional Ethics in LIS

Professional ethics are crucial for any profession to regulate and guide its conduct. Their value can be summarized as follows:

• Guidance and Protection: Ethics guide professionals in their decision-making and protect them against unethical practices that might be forced upon them by institutions or individuals. They also inform clients of the quality of service they have a right to expect.
• Enhancing Professional Status: A strong ethical code enhances the image and status of the profession and the individual professional.
• Inculcating Professional Zeal: Ethics help professionals know what is expected of them, how they should conduct themselves, and how to uphold the values of the profession.

According to P.S.G. Kumar, the key objectives of professional ethics in LIS are to:

• Provide dedicated service.
• Build up the professional's knowledge base.
• Maintain neutrality regarding caste, creed, religion, and ideologies.
• Uphold freedoms of study, thought, speech, press, and instruction.
• Voice convictions on issues like library legislation and censorship.

4. Codes of Ethics for LIS Professionals

The first formal set of ethics in American librarianship was the "Librarian's Canons of Ethics" in 1909, with the first code from the American Library Association (ALA) appearing in 1938. Today, national library associations in at least 34 countries have devised a code of ethics.

4.1 American Library Association (ALA) Code of Ethics

The ALA has revised its code several times to reflect changes in the profession. The current principles, adopted in 1997 and amended in 2008, are:

1. Highest Level of Service: Provide the highest level of service to all users through appropriate resources, equitable policies, and accurate, unbiased, and courteous responses.
2. Intellectual Freedom: Uphold the principles of intellectual freedom and resist all efforts to censor library resources.
3. Privacy and Confidentiality: Protect each user’s right to privacy and confidentiality regarding information sought or received and resources used.
4. Intellectual Property Rights: Respect intellectual property rights and advocate for a balance between the interests of users and rights holders.
5. Respect for Colleagues: Treat colleagues with respect, fairness, and good faith, and advocate for employment conditions that safeguard the rights and welfare of all employees.
6. Avoidance of Private Interest: Do not advance private interests at the expense of library users, colleagues, or employing institutions.
7. Distinction Between Personal and Professional Duties: Distinguish between personal convictions and professional duties, not allowing personal beliefs to interfere with fair representation of the institution's aims.
8. Striving for Excellence: Strive for excellence by maintaining and enhancing knowledge and skills, encouraging the professional development of co-workers, and fostering the aspirations of potential members of the profession.

4.2 Library Association (LA/CILIP) Code of Professional Conduct (UK)

The Library Association (now CILIP) code indicates the standards of behaviour expected of a member. Key aspects include:

• Members must conduct themselves in a way that would not be regarded by professional colleagues as serious professional misconduct.
• Members must comply with the Charter and Bye-laws of the Association.
• Failure to comply can be regarded as serious professional misconduct, making the member liable to expulsion or suspension.

5. Code of Ethics in India

Although the importance of a professional code of ethics is recognized in India, no official code has so far been adopted by a national professional association. However, several professionals and bodies have made proposals and recommendations.

• Megnanand suggested a code should consider the librarian's relationship with their committee, staff, book suppliers, professional colleagues, clientele, society, and the state.
• A.K. Mukherjee proposed a twenty-point code emphasizing that librarians must believe in their work, uphold the "six freedoms" (study, thought, speech, press, circulation of knowledge, and instruction), and be avid readers eager to help others.
• Amitabha Chatterjee recommended that a code should be based on loyalty, integrity, cooperation, service above self, devotion to duty, impartiality, and allegiance to the laws of the land.

6. Facets and Principles of an LIS Code of Ethics

Different frameworks have been suggested for structuring a code of ethics for librarians.

• R.L. Mittal proposed that a code should be based on the librarian's duties to the Public, Books, Profession, Staff, and Himself.
• The "Seven Lamps of Conduct" is a set of principles that includes:
  1. Impersonal book selection
  2. Service before self
  3. Split-mind (distinguishing between personal and professional views)
  4. Sympathetic behaviour
  5. Tact
  6. Industry (hard work)
  7. Scholarship.
• The Joint Council of Library Association in India (JOCLAI) drafted a code in 1989 covering eight aspects, including service, professional upgradation, and ethical values.

7. Ethical Issues in the Digital Era

The contemporary information environment, dominated by ICT, has introduced new ethical challenges for LIS professionals. Libraries are now responsible for providing equal access to information and balanced services in a world of electronic collections and network-based access. The primary ethical issues in the digital era are:

• Privacy: Digital information can be accessed from anywhere, and licensing agreements for electronic resources raise new privacy concerns.
• Authenticity and Validity: The authenticity of information on the internet is often uncertain, and providing quality, valid information is a major challenge.
• Intellectual Property: Librarians must navigate the complex environment of copyrighted documents and intellectual property, balancing user access with legal requirements.
• Accessibility: Professionals have an ethical responsibility to bridge the "digital divide" and ensure equal access to information for all, without discrimination based on class, gender, or social status.

8. Problems and Issues in Implementing a Code of Ethics

Despite the clear need, there are many practical difficulties in designing and implementing a code of professional ethics, particularly in India.

• Professional Image: The image of the LIS profession in India is not very high, as the work is often seen as auxiliary to other fields like education and research. This limited appreciation makes it difficult to build the community sanction needed for a strong ethical code.
• Multiple Professional Bodies: The existence of more than one professional body can make it difficult to establish a single, unified national code of ethics.
• Lack of Authority in Implementation: Ethical codes often lack legal validity. Conformance is largely a voluntary individual effort, and professional bodies may not have the authority to penalize members who violate the code.
• Expanding Dimensions of the Profession: The LIS profession has expanded dramatically, with new skills and roles required. This state of flux creates challenges in defining a stable and comprehensive ethical framework.
• New Entrants: The profession now attracts people from diverse educational and professional backgrounds, who may bring varied convictions and worldviews, affecting a unified professional conduct.