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 6: Reviews in the catalogue
Case description:The public library collects crime novels set in the local area, even if they are of very dubious quality. It seems that the local reference on its own is attractive for some users.

The author of such thrillers now complains to the library because the catalogue includes three negative reviews via a link to his latest novel in full text, but not two more positive reviews. He demands the removal of the negative reviews or at least the inclusion of the positive reviews. The writers of the negative reviews are not even familiar with the area, let alone being from the region; including these reviews in the catalogue will put the author’s work in a bad light. This is contrary to the principle of neutrality of the library, damaging to the region and detrimental to sales. If the library does not meet his demand, he will consider bringing a lawsuit for damage to business.

You assure the user that for reasons of neutrality you will include the positive reviews in the catalogue. However, it turns out that the two positive reviews are by the same author; in addition, for copyright reasons they cannot be made accessible through the catalogue.

Potential solution 1:You remove the negative reviews from the catalogue to address the complaint of the user.

Assessment:
  • Free access to information is restricted.
  • Freedom from censorship is not guaranteed.
  • The neutrality of the catalogue is restored.
    See D 1.4; I 5.1
  • Copyright law is taken into account.
    See D 2.12; I 5.1
  • It is possible that more authors (and publishers) will insist that negative reviews of their works, which are accessible via the catalogue in full text, be removed.
Potential solution 2:You do not change anything, so the bibliographic record is still associated with the three negative reviews.

Assessment:
  • Free access to information is not restricted.
    See D 2.1; I 1.1
  • Freedom from censorship is guaranteed.
    See D 2.1; I 1.2
  • The catalogue provides unbalanced information.
  • Copyright law is taken into account.
    See D 2.12; I 5.1
  • The author and publisher could take legal action against the library or inform the press.
Potential solution 3:You retain the link of the title shot with the three negative reviews; however, you add in the comments box the information that two more reviews exist, but cannot be included for copyright reasons.

Assessment:
  • Free access to information is not restricted.
    See D 2.1; I 1.1
  • Freedom from censorship is guaranteed.
    See D 2.1; I 1.2
  • Although the catalogue still provides unbalanced information, it comes closer to neutrality with the mention of the other reviews.
  • Copyright law is taken into account.
    See D 2.12; I 5.1
  • It is possible that more authors (and publishers) will insist that positive reviews of their works be indicated in the catalogue.
Potential solution 4:
References to values:
Values: Professional ethics in Germany:		D 1.4 Neutrality
“We inform and advise our clients objectively, impartially and courteously, and assist them in retrieving the information they need.”

D 2.1 Freedom of expression, freedom of information, freedom from censorship:
"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 ".

D 2.12 Freedom of expression, freedom of information, freedom from censorship:
"We recognize the rights of creators and copyright holders of copyright-protected library and information material".

References to values:
Values: International professional ethics (IFLA):		I 1.1 Access to information / freedom of information
“The core mission of librarians and other information workers is to ensure access to information for all for personal development, education, cultural enrichment, leisure, economic activity and informed participation in and enhancement of democracy.”

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 4.5 Copyright:
“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."

I 5.1 Neutrality:
"Librarians and other information workers are strictly committed to neutrality and an unbiased stance regarding collection, access and service. Neutrality results in the most balanced collection and the most balanced access to information achievable."

Further values:
References:Diedrichs, Reiner, Corinna Cramer: FAZ-Rezensionen als Kataloganreicherung im Katalog. In: Bibliotheksdienst. 47, 2013, 6, pp 450-462.

Eberhardt, Joachim: Zum moralischen Status des Catalogue Enrichment. In: Libreas. In: LIBREAS. 1, 2006, 4.
http://www.treepolar.de/present/libreas/libreas/ausgabe4/003ebe.htm (6.6.13).

Markner, Reinhard: Kampfplatz Katalog. Die Verzeichnisse der Bibliotheken werden fragwürdig angereichert. In: Süddeutsche Zeitung. In: Süddeutsche Zeitung. 2.5.2005, p. 16.

Metadata:
Title:Reviews in the catalogue
KeywordsCatalogue enrichment ; neutrality ; review
ClassificationDevelopment : catalogue enrichment : reviews
Type of libraryPublic library
Place:Germany
Type of activityDevelopment
References to values
Author:Hermann Rösch


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