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 26: Author reading
Case description:You take over the management of a district library. Shortly afterwards, a local writer asks to make an appointment for an evening reading from his latest book, and for the use of your rooms. An inquiry with your team results in protests because for many years the writer has regularly been extremely unpleasant and demanding in order to enforce his wishes. The staff hopes that the new management will take a firmer line. In addition, the team is of the opinion that the proposed content is of dubious quality.

You call the writer and ask him to send you a specimen of his work so that you can get an idea of the contents of the planned reading. The writer is very indignant. He emphasises that he is also a local politician and a very important man locally. He threatens that in the event of cancellation your behaviour will have consequences and expresses the opinion that you are not qualified as a manager. Your inquiries in the district reveal that the writer is thoroughly unpleasant in other contexts and it is better to distance oneself from him. Once you have gathered information about the book, you come to the conclusion that you would not normally stock a work of such questionable quality.

Potential solution 1:You decide to give the writer a clear and definitive rejection. Your team is extremely relieved. You inform the management about your approach and ask for support for your position. This is guaranteed to you.

Assessment :
  • You reject events that in your opinion do not satisfy the quality requirements of your work and of your organisation.
    See D 2.8; I 5.6
  • You expect a high degree of professionalism from staff and from partners that you work with.
    See D 1.2; D 1.9; I 5.6
  • You will not be intimidated, but risk protests from the milieu of the writer. It could be that local politicians pose critical questions.
  • The writer may contact your principal.
  • You gain a high degree of recognition from your new team. You take your employees seriously, but make decisions yourself after you have gathered sufficient information and drawn your own conclusions.
    See D 2.14
  • You receive recognition in the district because you have made your position clear.
Potential solution 2:You let yourself be intimidated and accept the writer′s request. Your team is disappointed and expresses its displeasure about your decision. The matter is embarrassing for you and you do not inform the management about the incident.

Assessment :
  • You do not act professionally.
    See D 1.9
  • You do not check whether the event will meet your quality requirements and those of your organisation.
    See D 2.8
  • Your superiors know nothing about the behaviour of the writer and the motives behind your decision. In these circumstances, it would have been appropriate to include them in your considerations.
    See D 2.15
  • You fear negative consequences for your new position as well as for your reputation in the district and among local politicians. Their actions will be guided by your fears.
  • You completely ignore the opinion and experience of your colleagues.
    See D 2.14; I 6.1
Potential solution 3:
Potential solution 4:
References to values:
Values: Professional ethics in Germany:		D 1.2 Professionalism/guarantee of quality:
"We offer high quality services to all our clients."

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

D 2.8 Guarantee of quality/neutrality:
"We choose information resources exclusively according to objective criteria, their quality and their suitability to meet the needs of our clients regardless of personal preferences and influences of third parties."

D 2.14 Collegiality:
"We treat our colleagues with fairness and respect, and promote a culture of cooperation, responsible acting and mutual trust."

D 2.15 Loyalty:
"Professional independence, respect, fairness, willingness to cooperate and critical loyalty define our interactions with our superiors and superior authorities."

References to values:
Values: International professional ethics (IFLA):		I 5.6 Professionalism:
“You aim for the highest standards of service quality and thus promote the positive reputation of the profession.”

I 6.1 Collegiality:
"Librarians and other information workers treat each other with fairness and respect."

Further values:Civil courage
References:
Metadata:
Title:Author reading
KeywordsAuthor reading ; blackmail ; political pressure ; quality
ClassificationUse : cooperation with external partners

Collection development : quality requirements

Programme work : author reading
Type of libraryPublic library

District library
Place:Germany
Type of activitySpace allocation
References to values
Author:Susanne Wilkin


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