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 21: Smell of urine
Case description:An elderly woman uses the library regularly and intensively for many years. It is noticeable that for some time she has smelt strongly of urine. The material that she returns also has a very intense and unpleasant smell of urine.

In the past few weeks you have taken action to rid the material of the unacceptable smell. But neither airing, perfuming nor smell-neutralising litter for cats could provide an effective remedy in the short term. The material is hardly usable, at least in the medium term.

Potential solution 1:You suspect that the woman is suffering from kidney disease and/or is incontinent. You have the requirement that in your library disadvantaged and ill people have unlimited access to material and services. Therefore, you do nothing further, but continue your efforts to find an effective smell-neutralising agent.

Assessment :
  • The principle of equal treatment is safeguarded.
    See D 1.1; D 1.5; I 2.1
  • Much material is unusable at least in the medium term because of damage caused by a single user.
  • The duty of conservation and careful treatment of the stock will not be fulfilled.
  • The smooth running of the lending operation should not outweigh the suffering of an individual user.
  • It remains unclear how the material acquires the unacceptable smell.
  • Possibly steps could be taken to prevent the material acquiring the smell, despite the illness.
  • A conversation with the user could provide clarity and perhaps even be of help.
Potential solution 2:You consider your responsibility towards other users to be greater than that towards the woman. It is your duty to ensure that the other users will not be bothered and that damage to stock is avoided.

Although it makes you feel uncomfortable, you decide to have a conversation with the woman to politely point out the smell to her. You will listen to her explanation quietly and sympathetically. Nevertheless, you will explain that the given conditions are not acceptable to the library. You explain your position and ask the user to seek help. If this is not done, a ban would have to be declared.

Assessment :
  • The principle of equal treatment is not respected. On the other hand, the sustained damage to the material should be taken into consideration.
  • Much material that would otherwise be seriously damaged remains usable and in reasonable condition.
    See D 2.2; I 0.5
  • The smooth running of the lending operation outweighs the suffering of an individual user.
  • Possibly steps could be taken to prevent the material acquiring the smell, despite the illness. But this is to be clarified only in an unpleasant, but no doubt inevitable conversation.
Potential solution 3:
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".

D 2.2 Stock maintenance:
"We protect our cultural heritage according to the libraries′ collecting mandate."

References to values:
Values: International professional ethics (IFLA):		I 0.1 Stock maintenance:
"The role of information institutions and professionals, including libraries and librarians, in modern society is to support the optimisation of the recording and representation of information and to provide access to it."

I 2.1 Inclusion, free access to information, equal treatment:
"In 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:Guarantee reasonable conditions of use for the majority

Protect library media
References:
Metadata:
Title:Smell of urine
KeywordsHarassment ; damage ; equal treatment ; smells ; media ; smell of urine
ClassificationUse : harassment to others
Type of libraryPublic library

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


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