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 20: Burka wearing
Case description:An elderly user complains to the library management because on several occasions he has observed a woman in the library who was completely veiled except for the eyes. He demands that the library ban women wearing niqabs and burkas because these clothes are symbols of the oppression of women and a provocative expression of religious coercion. The library, however, is a place of enlightenment and transparency; these clothes are incompatible with such values. As a user he feels massively compromised and uncomfortable when he meets a woman wearing a burka in the library. And as a taxpayer he has a right to expect that fundamental values guaranteed in the Basic Law of Germany are respected in the library.

Potential solution 1:The library management refuses such a ban. In Germany there is no legal basis for a ban on the wearing of the burka in public places. In addition, there is nothing about this in the house rules.

Moreover, it is to be welcomed when people of different cultures visit the library as a place of enlightenment and are inspired by the accessible media on offer. In addition, there have been no further complaints from other users.

Assessment :
  • The core value of equal treatment is maintained.
    See D 1.1; D 1.5; I 2.1
  • Possibly the complainant will contact the press and put the library in the headlines. This provides the library with an opportunity to explain its liberal attitude and its basic values to a larger audience.
  • This may lead to greater resistance, and a change in the house rules could be subject to public debate.
  • It is not impossible that interest organisations connected with the library management make the accusation of an anti-Christian and anti-women stance.
Potential solution 2:Following consultation with the administration, the library management changes the house rules and justifies the ban on the grounds that social peace in the library would otherwise be at risk.

Assessment :
  • The core value of equal treatment is clearly violated. There is no known case of nuns or monks being excluded from using the library.
  • There is no legal basis for the measure.
  • Possibly the press will be informed and the library management will be called upon to legitimise its decision.
  • This could have the consequence that the library management will be accused of gross one-sidedness, intolerance and Islamophobia.
  • An individual complainant results in the exclusion of a real or potential group of users.
Potential solution 3:Following consultation with the administration, the library management changes the house rules and justifies the ban on women wearing niqabs and burkas on the grounds of risk of theft.

Assessment :
  • The core value of equal treatment is clearly violated. There is no known case of nuns or monks being excluded from using the library.
  • Possibly the press will be informed and the library management will be called upon to legitimise its decision.
  • This could have the consequence that the library management will be accused of gross one-sidedness, intolerance and Islamophobia.
  • An individual complainant results in the exclusion of a real or potential group of users.
  • The risk of theft could be drastically reduced by the use of RFID.
Potential solution 4:
References to values:
Values: Professional ethics in Germany:		D 1.1 Equal treatment:
"We serve all of our clients equally in accordance with our mandate and legal bases."

D 1.5 Equal treatment:
"We treat all our clients with equal respect, regardless of their origin, race, age, social status, creed, gender or sexual orientation".

References to values:
Values: International professional ethics (IFLA):		I 2.1 Inclusion, free access to information, equal treatment:
gIn order to promote inclusion and eradicate discrimination, librarians and other information workers ensure that the right of accessing information is not denied and that equitable services are provided for everyone whatever their age, citizenship, political belief, physical or mental ability, gender identity, heritage, education, income, immigration and asylum-seeking status, marital status, origin, race, religion or sexual orientation."

Further values:
References:Reuss, Nicole: Die Burka, ein rotes Tuch. In: Südwestpresse. 24 August 2010.
http://www.swp.de/ulm/lokales/ulm_neu_ulm/Die-Burka-ein-rotes-Tuch;art4329,604495 (21.5.13)

Rösch, Hermann: Ethik in der bibliothekarischen Praxis - bibliothekarische Berufsethik. In: 100. Deutscher Bibliothekartag in Berlin 2011. Bibliotheken für die Zukunft - Zukunft für die Bibliotheken. Hrsg. Ulrich Hohoff... Hildesheim 2012. pp 209-221. Here pp. 216-217. (Deutscher Bibliothekartag. Kongressbände)
http://publiscologne.fh-koeln.de/frontdoor/index/index/docId/115 (19.6.13)

Verschleiert in der Bibliothek. In: BuB. 62, 2010, 11/12, p. 764.
http://www.b-u-b.de/C1011/nachrichten.shtml (19.6.13)

Metadata:
Title:Burka wearing
KeywordsAcceptable use policy ; misogyny ; clothing ; cultural diversity ; religion
ClassificationUse : clothing

Use : religious practice in the library
Type of libraryPublic library

Academic library
Place:Germany
Type of activityUse
References to values
Author:Hermann Rösch


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