Edili: Ethical dilemmas for librarians and other information workers: case studies
| ID | Title | Keywords | Type of library | Type of activity |
| 1 | Use of filtering software | Filtering software ; freedom of information ; protection of minors | Public library | Use |
| 2 | Armenian Genocide | Armenians; equal treatment; freedom of expression; neutrality; pluralism; censorship | Scientific library; city public library | Cooperation with external partners; space allocation |
| 3 | Assisted Dying | Neutrality ; assisted dying ; censorship | Public library | Collection development |
| 4 | Use of RFID | Data protection ; user’s point of view ; rationalisation ; RFID ; monitoring | Public library Academic library | Use Management |
| 5 | Instructions for bomb-making | Protection of minors ; freedom of information ; leftism ; political violence; explosive devices; terrorism; censorship | Public library | Use |
| 6 | Reviews in the catalogue | Catalogue enrichment ; neutrality ; review | Public library | Development |
| 7 | Cultivation of cannabis | Data protection ; drugs ; cannabis cultivation ; police investigations ; police access to user data | Public library | Management |
| 8 | Suicide | Suicide ; responsibility ; censorship | Public library | Collection development |
| 9 | Anorexic girl | Data protection ; protection of minors ; anorexia ; responsibility ; confidentiality | Public library | Use |
| 10 | Creationism | Fundamentalism ; gift ; creationism ; neutrality ; sect | Public library | Collection development |
| 11 | Piglet book | Atheism ; child protection ; children′s books ; censorship | Public library in a small town | Collection development Development |
| 12 | Sex tourism | Development ; feminism ; misogyny; sexism; sex tourism; keywords | Academic library | Development |
| 13 | Customer or user? | Library function ; educational mission; public service ; economisation ; New Public Management | Public library | Public relations |
| 14 | Bookbinding | Bookbinding ; book cover ; courtesy ; corruption | Academic library | Management |
| 15 | Animal rights | Equal treatment ; hunting ; neutrality ; animal rights activists | Public library | Use |
| 16 | Negro king | Children′s books ; political correctness ; racism ; text authenticity | Public library | Collection development |
| 17 | Homework exchange | Fraud ; filtering software ; homework exchange ; internet access ; obtaining grades by fraud ; plagiarism | Academic library | Use |
| 18 | Bestseller service | Bestseller service ; range of services ; fees ; cost of freedom ; professionalism ; social commitment | Public library | Use |
| 19 | Gay parents | Homosexuality ; child protection; children′s books ; gay parents ; censorship | Public library | Use |
| 20 | Burka wearing | Acceptable use policy ; misogyny ; clothing ; cultural diversity ; religion | Public library Academic library | Use |
| 21 | Smell of urine | Harassment ; damage ; equal treatment ; smells ; media ; smell of urine | Public library Academic library | Use |
| 22 | Transvestite | Harassment ; transvestite | Public library Academic library | Use |
| 23 | Guttenberg | Development ; Guttenberg ; plagiarism ; tradition | Academic library | Development |
| 24 | Activities on first day of school | Enrolment ; corruption ; promotion of reading ; neutrality ; sponsorship | Public library | Public relations Management |
| 25 | Indexing term foreign infiltration | Development ; neutrality ; indexing | Public library Academic library | Development |
| 26 | Author reading | Author reading ; blackmail ; political pressure ; quality | Public library District library | Space allocation |
| 27 | Homophobia | Exhibition ; homophobia ; homosexuality ; caricature ; artistic freedom ; freedom of expression ; censorship | City public library | Use |
| Case description: | For many years, you have had a very good working relationship with your library′s bookbinder. The company delivers good quality work promptly and charges reasonable prices. You have recently inherited a 17th century family Bible. It is not a really valuable or even rare item; however, the leather cover has not been lubricated for a long time and therefore is torn in a few places. The front cover is loose as are some pages. Because you have had the item foisted upon you, you ask yourself whether restoration is worthwhile. You bring the book into the library; you show it to the bookbinder the next time he visits, and ask him if he could estimate how expensive restoration would be. The bookbinder says he must look at the book more closely and will need time for this. You willingly give him the volume. Next time the bookbinder appears, he returns the book to you. To your surprise, it has been superbly restored and makes an excellent impression. When you ask somewhat perplexedly about the price, the bookbinder dismisses the question. He could not ask for money for such a small thing. You are torn. You estimate that you would have to pay at least EUR 150-200 on the open market. On the other hand, you are overjoyed that the family heirloom has been so magnificently preserved that it will last for years to come. Can you accept the "gift" of the bookbinder with no further ado? |
| Potential solution 1: | You accept the gift, albeit with a slightly subdued feeling. But this bookbinder is the best one out there; you have known this for a long time. Otherwise you would not previously have decided in favour of him. Every Christmas the company sends delicious chocolates to the bookbinding room; these are accepted without comment, and even the entire department has eaten them without scruples. And the practical and pretty calendars have also found widespread use among the staff. Why should one now develop a guilty conscience because of such a thing? Assessment :
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| Potential solution 2: | You insist that the bookbinder provides you with an invoice at normal market prices and explain to him that he has put you in a difficult position. Assessment :
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| References to values: Values: Professional ethics in Germany: | D 2.7 Fight against corruption: "Our relationship with suppliers and other business partners is based on a high ethical standard." |
| References to values: Values: International professional ethics (IFLA): | I 5.5 Fight against corruption: "Librarians and other information workers counter corruption directly affecting librarianship, as in the sourcing and supply of library materials, appointments to library posts and administration of library contracts and finances." |
| Further values: | |
| References: | |
| Metadata: | |
| Title: | Bookbinding |
| Keywords | Bookbinding ; book cover ; courtesy ; corruption |
| Classification | Personal integrity : relationship to business partners |
| Type of library | Academic library |
| Place: | Germany |
| Type of activity | Management |
| References to values | |
| Author: | Hermann Rösch |
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