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 22: Transvestite
Case description:An agitated user informs the library that there is a transvestite in the ladies′ room who draws attention to himself by strange behaviour and provocative glances. When the user is asked how she knows it is a male subject in women′s clothes, she refers to the deep, typical male voice, beard growth and a uniquely masculine physiognomy.

Potential solution 1:You interpret the case described as clear harassment and regard it as your duty to intervene. In training for conflict resolution, you have learned that one must act quietly but firmly in such cases. Since you are a woman, you enter the ladies′ room, identify yourself as a librarian and ask the transvestite to leave the ladies′ room immediately. If he refuses, you point out that you have the right to alert the security staff.

Assessment :
  • Although this is not a library-specific conflict, action must be taken.
  • The core value of equal treatment is here subordinated to the offence of harassment.
  • Since you have the right to enforce house rules, it is your duty to prevent harassment.
  • The eventual use of security staff is deemed appropriate.
Potential solution 2:You calm the user and point out that at the moment you can see no possibility of intervening. However, if the user wishes, you could make the staff ladies′ room available to her as an exceptional case. One should be considerate to such minorities. You want to avoid a confrontation with the transvestite under all circumstances.

Assessment :
  • Although this is not a library-specific conflict, action must be taken.
  • The core value of equal treatment is here subordinated to the offence of harassment.
  • Abandoning regulatory intervention is inappropriate.
  • The point is not about ensuring the protection of minorities, but about preventing harassment, possibly even sexual harassment.
  • Even if the acute case goes no further, it is not ruled out that the librarian′s fear of conflict will be repeated.
Potential solution 3:
Potential solution 4:
References to values:
Values: Professional ethics in Germany:		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:
“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:Protection from harassment
References:Buchanan, Elizabeth A., Kathrine A. Henderson: Case Studies in Library and Information Science Ethics. Jefferson, NC, London: McFarland, 2009. p. 56.

Metadata:
Title:Transvestite
KeywordsHarassment ; transvestite
ClassificationUse : harassment to others
Type of libraryPublic library

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


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