I am able to articulate the ethics, values and foundational principles of library and information professionals and their role in the promotion of intellectual freedom
Introduction
Librarianship does not simply involve the mastery of skills and abilities. It also entails a commitment to principles and values. The ALA has articulated a list of core values that express commitments to access, patron confidentiality, intellectual freedom, public service, professionalism, lifelong learning, preservation, etc. (American Library Association, 2006). The librarian knows and understands these values. Her personal dedication to these values is the foundation of her professional life. They inspire her to
build collections that both anticipate diverse information needs and reflect the unique demographics of individual communities;
exercise professional judgment and use selection tools to ensure high-quality library materials;
employ classification and organizational strategies that make information accessible to all users;
develop web portals and other electronic resources that are user friendly;
provide educational opportunities for patrons to improve their information seeking skills;
provide reference services that use technologies consistent with the changing communication preferences of users;
create physical spaces that are comfortable and inviting;
cultivate a friendly, open demeanor toward users – a demeanor that encourages patrons (regardless of age, ethnicity, etc.) to interact with staff and welcomes their questions and concerns;
use assessment methods that constantly seek to identify areas where services might be improved to better meet user needs.
The librarian is especially aware of her duty to promote intellectual freedom. She appreciates that librarians have a role in promoting the free-flow of information by providing a forum where information may be both expressed and received. The librarian is committed to these principles and values because they define standards of professional excellence that promote the well-being of individuals and society. Inspired by an ethical impulse to foster the public good and the recognition that democracy depends on an informed citizenry, librarians seek to provide services that meet the information needs of patrons. Through my SLIS coursework I have come to understand the values of librarianship. I am able to articulate those values and explain their role in guiding professional practice, promoting the well being of individuals, and serving the public good.
Commentary
The principles and values of librarianship have been a theme running throughout my SLIS coursework. The specific duties and activities of librarians presuppose commitments to certain values. Learning the knowledge and skills of librarianship has therefore involved – implicitly or explicitly – learning the values of librarianship. For example, learning how to create a user-friendly, easy-to-navigate web page in LIBR 240 presupposes an implicit commitment to facilitating patron access. Learning about selection tools in LIBR 266 provides the skills I will need to build a more diverse and high-quality collection – qualities relevant to the “core values” of diversity, intellectual freedom, and serving the public good. Developing effective activities for information literacy instruction during my two internships reflects a commitment to education and lifelong learning. Learning the characteristics of an effective reference interview promotes accessibility and professionalism. As emphasized in LIBR 200, librarianship is a service profession – a profession dedicated to meeting the needs of individual users and promoting the public good.
Through readings and assignments in LIBR 234 I gained a deep appreciation for the importance of intellectual freedom. Intellectual freedom is the opportunity to exercise one’s right to express and receive information. It is rooted in the First Amendment, which grants the right of free expression and (as interpreted by the courts) a corresponding right to receive information. Librarians have a commitment to constitutional values, and are therefore strong advocates of intellectual freedom. Given that libraries are forums where information is expressed and received, librarians are in a privileged position to promote intellectual freedom.
The librarian’s commitment to intellectual freedom is not a vague platitude. It takes very concrete forms in the management of library services. For example, intellectual freedom entails collection development policies that seek to maximize the representation of diverse points of view in the collection. In the selection process, it requires librarians to set aside personal biases and opinions and choose materials that represent diversity. It requires reference services that are likewise value neutral – an active attempt to meet user needs even when those needs may offend the personal sensibilities of the librarian. Librarians’ defense of intellectual freedom may also take educational and political forms. Librarians may organize events and programs to raise public awareness of the dangers of censorship. Regional and national professional organizations may also sponsor political initiatives and law suits that oppose censorship.
Evidence
In order to demonstrate my mastery of this competency, I have chosen assignments that focus on intellectual freedom. “Censorship and Collection Development” is a discussion posting I wrote for LIBR 200. It explores the tension between (1) the librarian’s commitment to serve the unique information needs of a community’s users and (2) her commitment to intellectual freedom. It points out that the librarian is never in a position to censor materials based on community objections because intellectual freedom requires building a collection that reflects diverse points of view. At the same time, the librarian’s choice to not select certain materials is not censorship since it is based on professional judgment as opposed to personal bias or community opinion. This discussion post demonstrates an understanding of the librarian’s dual commitment to serving the information needs of users and developing a collection guided by a commitment to intellectual freedom.
“Collection Development and the Library Bill of Rights” is a paper I wrote for LIBR 234. It focuses on the implications on collection development of a librarian’s commitment to intellectual freedom. It considers potential ethical and professional dilemmas posed by an absolutist commitment to intellectual freedom in the context of collection development. The paper demonstrates a familiarity with the ALA’s position on intellectual freedom and collection development as well as an appreciation for problems raised by that position in certain extreme situations.
“The Ethics of Open Access” is a paper I wrote for LIBR 200. Open access is a facet of intellectual freedom focusing on the patron’s right to access information and the librarian’s corresponding duty to provide the information the patron needs. In this paper, I explore certain ethical implications of this right in the context of reference services. The paper focuses on Robert Hauptman’s critique of open access in situations posing potential harm to people. While no one doubts that the principle of open access governs almost all reference interactions, what should a reference librarian do when asked for information about building bombs? What should she do if she has good reason to suspect the patron wants to build a bomb to destroy property and kill people? Hauptman makes a strong argument that open access does not and should not apply to these extreme situations. Through my discussion of the ethical issues raised at the reference desk, I demonstrate an understanding and commitment to the principles of intellectual freedom and open access without ignoring the legitimate, ethical concerns raised by those rare situations where information may cause physical harm.
Conclusion
The “raw material” of librarianship is information, but librarians manage information guided by key principles and values. The importance of those values becomes apparent when we consider the unique characteristics of the librarian’s professional position. The librarian must serve the needs of her community – honoring what the community likes and dislikes – while at the same time building a collection that includes minority or unpopular viewpoints. The librarian must make evaluative judgments in the selection and removal of materials based on professional standards and not on personal likes and dislikes. When interacting with the public, the librarian must present a welcoming, friendly persona to all patrons – even those she may find offensive. Strong values make it possible for the librarian to remain professional and promote the public good in all these situations; the values of librarianship are the power that vitalizes library services. Through my SLIS coursework I have gained an in-depth understanding of the values of librarianship. As a future librarian, I am committed to those values as the guiding principles of all my professional practice.
Reference
American Library Association. (2006). Core values of librarianship. Retrieved November 11, 2008 from http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/oif/statementspols/corevaluesstatement/corevalues.cfm