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 2: Armenian Genocide
Case description:The Armenian cultural association in your city would like to host an author reading in your library’s lecture theatre. The author Tessa Hofmann will read from her book "Verfolgung, Vertreibung und Vernichtung der Christen im Osmanischen Reich" ("Persecution, expulsion and extermination of Christians in the Ottoman Empire", Münster 2004). The preface to this work was written by the bishop Dr Wolfgang Huber. Because of the intercultural orientation of your library, you agree and reserve the room under the usual conditions.

Two weeks before the scheduled date of the event, you receive a letter of protest from the Turkish Embassy asking you to cancel the event in the library. Otherwise there would be diplomatic problems at the highest level. The reason given is that the scheduled event would serve the purpose of distorting Turkish history; it would be propaganda for the so-called genocide of Armenians. Letters of invitation have been sent out and posters, etc. have been printed and published; announcements have appeared in the press. What do you do?
Potential solution 1:You stand by your decision and firmly reject the opposition of the Turkish Embassy. The Armenian cultural association’s event will go ahead in the library as planned. You defend your decision on the grounds of freedom of expression and freedom of information.

Assessment
  • You uphold the principles of freedom of expression and freedom of information.
    See D 2.1; I 1.2
  • The library will be perceived as a place of truthfulness, sincerity and pluralism.
    See D 1.9; I 5.1
  • You will not be intimidated and will not bow to powerful pressure.
  • You risk furious letters and protests.
  • Possibly there will be negative reactions in the Turkish press.
  • You risk the wrath of the mayor or the head of your college because they want to avoid any conflict with Turkish stakeholders that will endanger their efforts concerning integration and inclusion.
  • You receive much public praise as your uncompromising attitude and standing up for your principles and ethical obligations are seen as exemplary.
Potential solution 2:You contact the Chancellor of the University / Office of the Mayor to get support. The joint discussions result in the event being cancelled to avoid conflict with the Embassy. This is based on the fact that, in contrast to the Turks, the Armenians have no significant lobby and any public scandal would harm the reputation of the library and the university or the city.

Assessment

  • You violate the principles of freedom of expression and freedom of information.
  • You have been intimidated and have bowed to powerful pressure.
  • You avoid angry letters and protests.
  • There may be positive reactions in the Turkish press.
  • You are publicly criticised because your behaviour is perceived as biased, opportunistic and unethical.
  • The library is not seen as a place of truthfulness, reliability, pluralism and freedom of expression but as a pawn of powerful forces.
Potential solution 3:You cancel the event and explain to the representatives of the Armenian cultural association that you cannot guarantee public safety during the event because threats have been made. Therefore, the commitment must be withdrawn at short notice.

Assessment

  • You violate the principles of freedom of expression and freedom of information.
  • You have been intimidated and have bowed to powerful pressure.
  • You avoid angry letters and protests.
  • There may be positive reactions in the Turkish press.
  • You are publicly criticised because your behaviour is perceived as biased, opportunistic and unethical.
  • The library is not seen as a place of truthfulness, reliability, pluralism and freedom of expression but as a pawn of powerful forces.
Potential solution 4:
References to values:
Values: Professional ethics in Germany:		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 ".

D 1.9 Professionalism, neutrality:
"We fulfil our professional duties according to professional criteria regardless of our personal opinion and attitude."

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."

Further values:Courage of one’s convictions
References:Krüger, Karen: Parteilich. Die Universität Stuttgart kneift. In: Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. 27. Mai 2013. http://www.faz.net/aktuell/feuilleton/die-stuttgarter-unversitaet-kneift-parteilich-1642892.html (29.5.2013)
Metadata:
Title:Armenian Genocide
KeywordsArmenians; equal treatment; freedom of expression; neutrality; pluralism; censorship
ClassificationCollection development: political radicalism use: cooperation with external partners
Type of libraryScientific library; city public library
Place:University city
Type of activityCooperation with external partners; space allocation
References to valuesn.a.
Author:Hermann Rösch


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