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 27: Homophobia
Case description:The State Office for Political Education asks you to make your exhibition space available for a photo exhibition entitled "Homophobia". An artist has put together a number of photographs on the subject and would like to present them in your rooms. The State Agency supports this action as part of its educational mission against group-related discrimination.

One of the photos draws attention to the homophobic tendencies in Russia with a distorted representation of Vladimir Putin. The head of state is displayed with a colourfully made-up face.

As expected, the photo elicited a wide range of reactions among the exhibition visitors. You receive a letter asking you to remove the Putin image from the exhibition because it defames Russia and its people; the letter was friendly, but determined, and gave many reasons for the request. The visitor to the exhibition also said that such images hurt her personally as a Russian and maintained that one should omit foreign countries from such projects. It is sufficient to focus on Germany.

Potential solution 1:You explain that you always proceed sensitively when planning an exhibition and carry out a detailed examination of the content. The exhibition is set in an international framework and considers the development of homophobia in different countries. Exhibitors are granted artistic freedom.

Assessment :
  • You safeguard the principle of freedom of expression.
    See D 2.1; I 0.4 Preamble
  • You do not censor.
    See D 2.1; I 1.2
  • You show yourself to be part of a pluralistic society and provide an appropriate forum for a minority.
    See I 2.1
  • You grant the necessary space for artistic freedom.
    See I 4.4-4.5
  • As a public institution of a particularly liberal city you are committed to this tradition.
  • You ignore the sensitivity of the user.
Potential solution 2:You ask the photographer to remove the picture from the exhibition. The artist refuses and refers to his social concerns and his artistic freedom. He announces that he will completely dismantle the exhibition if you insist on your demand. Your partner in the exhibition, the State Agency for Political Education, shows little understanding for your change of heart.

Assessment :
  • You are not supportive of a pluralistic society.
    See I 2.1
  • You violate the principle of freedom of expression and freedom from censorship.
    See D 2.1; I 0.4 Preamble
  • You deceive the artist and your cooperation partner and make yourself potentially untrustworthy as a reliable partner.
  • Your actions are guided by the idea of wanting to please everybody.
  • Your initial concern to advocate against discrimination will be perceived by the public to be the opposite.
Potential solution 3:
Potential solution 4:
References to values:
Values: Professional ethics in Germany:		D 2.1 Freedom of expression, freedom of information:
"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 ".

References to values:
Values: International professional ethics (IFLA):		I 0.4 Freedom of expression:
"Article 19 expressly sets out a right to "Seek, receive and impart information and ideas in any media and regardless of frontiers" which provides a clear rationale for libraries and the practice of modern and progressive librarianship. IFLA in statements, manifestos and policy and technical documents too numerous to list has expanded the understanding of work with information. Implicit in this work is the idea of information rights and their significance for the profession and society generally. The emphasis on information rights in turn obliges librarians and other information workers to develop a principled critique of relevant law and to be prepared to advise and, if appropriate, advocate the improvement of both the substance and administration of laws."

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 2.1 Inclusion:
“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."

I 4.4–4.5 Relationship to copyright:
"Librarians and other information workers are partners of authors, publishers and other creators of copyright protected works. Librarians and other information workers recognise the intellectual property right of authors and other creators and will seek to ensure that their rights are respected."

Further values:
References:
Metadata:
Title:Homophobia
KeywordsExhibition ; homophobia ; homosexuality ; caricature ; artistic freedom ; freedom of expression ; censorship
ClassificationUse : cooperation with external partners

Programme work : exhibition
Type of libraryCity public library
Place:Germany ; city
Type of activityUse
References to values
Author:Susanne Wilkin


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