Ethics+of+the+ALA

= Ethics of the American Library Association (ALA) = toc The ALA has two core statements concerning its ethics: The Code of Ethics and the Library Bill of Rights. The Code of Ethics consists of eight statements meant to meant to provide a framework for ethical decisions.

Code of Ethics

 * 1) We provide the highest level of service to all library users through appropriate and usefully organized resources; equitable service policies; equitable access; and accurate, unbiased, and courteous responses to all requests.
 * 2) We uphold the principles of intellectual freedom and resist all efforts to censor library resources.
 * 3) We protect each library user's right to privacy and confidentiality with respect to information sought or received and resources consulted, borrowed, acquired or transmitted.
 * 4) We respect intellectual property rights and advocate balance between the interests of information users and rights holders.
 * 5) We treat co-workers and other colleagues with respect, fairness, and good faith, and advocate conditions of employment that safeguard the rights and welfare of all employees of our institutions.
 * 6) We do not advance private interests at the expense of library users, colleagues, or our employing institutions.
 * 7) We distinguish between our personal convictions and professional duties and do not allow our personal beliefs to interfere with fair representation of the aims of our institutions or the provision of access to their information resources.
 * 8) We strive for excellence in the profession by maintaining and enhancing our own knowledge and skills, by encouraging the professional development of co-workers, and by fostering the aspirations of potential members of the profession (Code of ethics).

Two themes dominate this code: The highest level of service and intellectual freedom.

1. The Highest Level of service
Rules 1, 5, and 8 address the meaning of professionalism in librarianship. Rules 6 and 7 are about both professionalism and promoting intellectual freedom. Providing the highest level of service we need to have resources our patrons want and organize them well so they are easy to find. It also means sometimes librarians have to have a poker face. A professional librarian should not let his/her approval or disapproval of a request affect the level of service offered. And librarians need to be proactive in creating access for underserved areas of the population, such as seeing and hearing impaired.

2. Intellectual Freedom
Rules 2-4 address intellectual freedom. ALA considers this "a core value of the library profession." The ALA's [|Office for Intellectual Freedom] is charged with educating people on the importance of intellectual freedom for a democratic society.

ALA defines intellectual freedom as the right "to read, seek information, and speak freely as guaranteed by the First Amendment. A publicly supported library provides free and equal access to information for all people of that community. We enjoy this basic right in our democratic society " (Intellectual freedom).

Intellectual freedom can exist only when two conditions are met: "first, that all individuals have the right to hold any belief on any subject and to convey their ideas in any form they deem appropriate, and second, that society makes an equal commitment to the right of unrestricted access to information and ideas regardless of the communication medium used, the content of work, and the viewpoints of both the author and the receiver of information" (Intellectual freedom).

Related to intellectual freedom are issues of access to information, censorship, privacy and confidentiality.

Access to information
Equity of access means that all people have the information they need or want--"regardless of age, education, ethnicity, language, income, physical limitations or geographic barriers" (Equity of access). It means they are able to obtain information in a variety of formats--electronic, as well as print. It also means they are free to exercise their right to know without fear of censorship or reprisal (Access to Information).

The ALA recognizes the importance of broadband connectivity to information access. It supports legislative measures expanding affordable high-speed Internet through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), Stabilization of Universal Service (USF) and E-rate, and network neutrality (Broadband and Telecom).

Censorship
Banned Books Weekoccurs in the last week of September. It has been celebrated since 1982. It is a chance to call attention to attempts at censorship in the past and present. It "stresses the importance of ensuring the availability of unorthodox or unpopular viewpoints for all who wish to read and access them" It is sponsored by the ALA and several organizations, including American Booksellers Association and American Society of Journalists and Authors. It is endoresed by the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress (http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/banned/bannedbooksweek/index.cfm).

For ongoing support for libraries, the ALA formed the Office for Intellectual Freedom. If a book or any library materials are challenged or attacked, the Office for Intellectual Freedom is available to provide resources and legal advice.



Privacy and confidentiality
In keeping with the First Amendment guarantees of Freedom of Speech and Freedom of the Press, the ALA maintains that the corresponding rights are to hear what is spoken and read what is written. Government inquiry into what people are reading and listening to is incompatible with these freedoms. Therefore, the confidentiality of patrons' inquiries and library transactions of any kind must be maintained. It sounds simple, but the ALA says it "regularly receives reports of visits by agents of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to libraries, asking for personally identifiable information about library users " (Policy concerning confidentiality). Some law enforcement agents believe such information will help a criminal investigation or identify a potential terrorist. However, if they want to obtain library records on someone, there is a legal procedure to follow just like any other personal "spying" the agency may do: A court order from a judge based on a show of good cause. As for terrorism, the ALA asserts "there has been no showing of a plausible probability that national security will be compromised by any use made of unclassified information available in libraries " (Policy concerning confidentiality). Again, the Office for Intellectual Freedom will assist any being challenged on this issue.

Library Bill of Rights
"The American Library Association affirms that all libraries are forums for information and ideas, and that the following basic policies should guide their services.

I. Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.

II. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.

III. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.

IV. Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas.

V. A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.

VI. Libraries that make exhibit spaces and meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make such facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use.

Adopted June 19, 1939, by the ALA Council; amended October 14, 1944; June 18, 1948; February 2, 1961; June 27, 1967; January 23, 1980; inclusion of “age” reaffirmed January 23, 1996.

A history of the Library Bill of Rights is found in the latest edition of the Intellectual Freedom Manual"

**References**
ALA. (n.d.). Access to Information. ALA Homepage.

ALA. (n.d.). Banned Books Week: Celebrating the freedom to read.

ALA. (n.d.). Office for Intellectual Freedom.

ALA. (2008, Jan 22). Code of Ethics of the American Library Association. Intellectual Freedom Manual, 8th ed.

ALA. (n.d.). Broadband and Telecom.

ALA. (n.d.). Policy concerning confidentiality of personally identifiable information about library users. first, that all individuals have the right to hold any belief on any subject and to convey their ideas in any form they deem appropriate, and second, that society makes an equal commitment to the right of unrestricted access to information and ideas regardless of the communication medium used, the content of work, and the viewpoints of both the author and the receiver of information." Libraries help ensure that Americans can access information as the digital world continues to evolve. Core values of the library community such as equal access to information, intellectual freedom, and the objective stewardship and provision of information must be preserved and strengthened in the evolving digital world. http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/access/accesstoinformation/index.cfm