Edili: Ethical dilemmas for librarians and other information workers: case studies

Overview of the previously registered case studies
The database contains 27 case studies

IDTitleKeywordsType of libraryType 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 study 15: Animal rights
Case description:The reference librarian of a public library in a medium-sized town is a passionate animal rights activist. She is a supporter of the "Animal Liberation Front" and is, of course, vegan.

A user wearing a green Tyrolean jacket approaches her at the reference desk and engages her in conversation. He speaks enthusiastically about his new hobby, hunting. He is determined to obtain a hunting licence so that he will be entitled to hunt. He will then serve his friends with wild boar, deer and partridges that he has killed himself. The highlight will be homemade wild boar blood sausage. He asks for learning materials for the hunting exam and for information about purchasing the hunting licence.

During the conversation the librarian feels sick; she considers how she can escape the situation and whether she can refuse to provide information to the user for ethical reasons.

Potential solution 1:The librarian asks the user to be patient, leaves the area and asks a colleague to take over.

Assessment :
  • Although the librarian has not shown the necessary professionalism, she has at least managed not to impose her values on the user.
    See D 1.9; I 5.3
  • Freedom of information for the user is maintained.
    See D 2.1; I 1.2
Potential solution 2:The librarian involves the user in a conversation about animal′s right to life and the arrogance of people who kill animals. The user responds in disbelief and leaves the library in a rage.

Assessment :
  • The librarian has infringed the principle that personal values have to take a back seat to the required professional ethics.
  • The librarian evangelises although she is not entitled to do this in her role as a reference librarian.
  • The librarian restricts the freedom of information of the user.
Potential solution 3:The librarian forces a smile and focuses entirely on the information needs of the user. Thus she is able to keep her composure and satisfy the user.

Assessment :
  • The librarian has successfully put her personal values to one side.
    See D 1.9; I 5.3
  • Freedom of information of the user is maintained.
    See D 2.1; I 1.2
  • The librarian has maintained a neutral and impartial attitude.
    See I 5.1
Potential solution 4:
References to values:
Values: Professional ethics in Germany:		D 1.9 Neutrality:
"We fulfil our professional duties according to professional criteria regardless of our personal opinion and attitude."

D 2.1 Freedom of expression, freedom of information, freedom from censorship:
"We support freedom of expression and the free flow of information; libraries and information facilities should guarantee unimpeded access to information resources of all kinds in our democratic society. We reject censorship."

References to values:
Values: International professional ethics (IFLA):		I 1.2 Freedom from censorship:
"Librarians and other information workers reject the denial and restriction of access to information and ideas most particularly through censorship whether by states, governments, or religious or civil society institutions."

I 5.1 Neutrality, pluralism:
"Librarians and other information workers are strictly committed to neutrality and an unbiased stance regarding collection, access and service. Neutrality results in the most balanced collection and the most balanced access to information achievable."

I 5.3 Neutrality:
"Librarians and other information workers distinguish between their personal convictions and professional duties. They do not advance private interests or personal beliefs at the expense of neutrality."

Further values:
References:
Metadata:
Title:Animal rights
KeywordsEqual treatment ; hunting ; neutrality ; animal rights activists
ClassificationPersonal integrity : value

Type of libraryPublic library
Place:City
Type of activityUse
References to values
Author:Hermann Rösch


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