Code of professional ethics*
Code of ethics of the American Library Association
As members of the American Library Association, we recognize the importance of codifying and making known to the profession and to the general public the ethical principles that guide the work of librarians and other professionals providing information services, library trustees and library staffs.
Ethical dilemmas occur when values are in conflict. The American Library Association Code of Ethics states the values to which we are committed, and embodies the ethical responsibilities of the profession in this changing information environment.
We significantly influence or control the selection, organization, preservation, and dissemination of information. In a political system grounded in an informed citizenry, we are members of a profession explicitly committed to intellectual freedom and the freedom of access to information. We have a special obligation to ensure the free flow of information and ideas to present and future generations.
The principles of this Code are expressed in broad statements to guide ethical decision-making. These statements provide a framework; they cannot and do not dictate conduct to cover particular situations.
We provide the highest level of service to all library users through appropriate and usefully-organized resources; equitable service policies; equitable access; and accurate, unbiased and courteous responses to all requests.
We uphold the principles of intellectual freedom and resist all efforts to censor library resources.
We protect each library user's right to privacy and confidentiality with respect to information sought or received and resources consulted, borrowed, acquired or transmitted.
We respect intellectual property rights and advocate balance between the interests of information users and rights holders.
We treat co-workers and other colleagues with respect, fairness, and good faith, and advocate conditions of employment that safeguard the rights and welfare of all employees of our institutions.
We do not advance private interests at the expense of library users, colleagues, or our employing institutions.
We distinguish between our personal convictions and professional duties and do not allow our personal beliefs to interfere with fair representation of the aims of our institutions or the provision of access to their information resources.
We strive for excellence in the profession by maintaining and enhancing our own knowledge and skills, by encouraging the professional development of co-workers, and by fostering the aspirations of potential members of the profession.
Adopted at the 1939 Midwinter Meeting by the ALA Council; amended June 30, 1981; June 28, 1995; and January 22, 2008.
This page has long held the incorrect amendment date of June 28, 1997; the Office for Intellectual Freedom regrets and apologizes for the error.
http://www.aallnet.org/main-menu/LeadershipGovernance/policies/PublicPolicies/policy-ethics.html.
AALL ethical principles
Approved by the AALL membership, April 5, 1999
Preamble
When individuals have ready access to legal information, they can participate fully in the affairs of their government. By collecting, organizing, preserving, and retrieving legal information, the members of the American Association of Law Libraries enable people to make this ideal of democracy a reality.
Legal information professionals have an obligation to satisfy the needs, to promote the interests and to respect the values of their clientele. Law firms, corporations, academic and governmental institutions and the general public have legal information needs that are best addressed by professionals committed to the belief that serving these information needs is a noble calling and that fostering the equal participation of diverse people in library services underscores one of our basic tenets, open access to information for all individuals.
Service
We promote open and effective access to legal and related information. Further, we recognize the need to establish methods of preserving, maintaining and retrieving legal information in many different forms.
We uphold a duty to our clientele to develop service policies that respect confidentiality and privacy.
We provide zealous service using the most appropriate resources and implementing programs consistent with our institution's mission and goals.
We acknowledge the limits on service imposed by our institutions and by the duty to avoid the unauthorized practice of law.
Business relationships
We promote fair and ethical trade practices.
We have a duty to avoid situations in which personal interests might be served or significant benefits gained at the expense of library users, colleagues, or our employing institutions.
We strive to obtain the maximum value for our institution's fiscal resources, while at the same time making judicious, analytical and rational use of our institution's information resources.
Professional responsibilities
We relate to our colleagues with respect and in a spirit of cooperation.
We distinguish between our personal convictions and professional duties and do not allow our personal beliefs to interfere with the service we provide.
We recognize and respect the rights of the owner and the user of intellectual property.
We strive for excellence in the profession by maintaining and enhancing our own knowledge and skills, by encouraging the professional development of co-workers, and by fostering the aspirations of potential members of the profession.
Ethical principles background information
The Special Committee on Ethics was appointed in 1997 by then-President Judy Meadows for the purpose of reviewing the Association's Code of Ethics and proposing any revisions necessary. The Code of Ethics incorporates by reference the ALA Code of Ethics which has been revised twice since the AALL Code was adopted. The Special Committee followed a previous AALL taskforce and other groups in studying possible revisions to the AALL Code of Ethics.
The Special Committee studied the current Code of Ethics and determined that the Code should be replaced. The Committee examined in detail the codes of ethics of other professional associations, including sister library organizations, and wrote articles for AALL Spectrum throughout the past year which called attention to the Committee's efforts and mission.
The Committee met in Chicago in May 1998 and drafted much of the proposed Ethical Principles. Committee members added portions later, and the final draft was circulated and discussed extensively at the Annual Meeting in Anaheim. Registrants received copies in their packets, they could record their responses on a flipchart located by the entrance to the Exhibit Area, and they could voice their concerns at the second portion of the Open Forum. Further, members with e-mail addresses received a copy of the proposed Ethical Principles in a message broadcast from AALL Headquarters. The Committee received several responses and considered them carefully. As a result, the Committee revised some of what was circulated to the membership and brought these Ethical Principles to the Executive Board at its Fall 1998 meeting with the suggestion that they be submitted to the AALL membership for approval. The Ethical Principles were submitted to the membership in March 1999 and approved by an overwhelming majority vote.
Submitted by: J. Wesley Cochran, Chair
Ethics (Special Committee)
Code of professional practice for library and information professionals
This Code applies the ethical principles to the different groups and interests to which CILIP members must relate. The Code also makes some additional points with regard to professional behaviour. The principles and values will differ in their relative importance according to context.
A. Personal responsibilities
People who work in the information profession have personal responsibilities which go beyond those immediately implied by their contract with their employers or clients. Members should therefore:
1. Strive to attain and continue to develop the highest personal standard of professional knowledge and competence.
2. Ensure they are competent in those branches of professional practice in which qualifications and/or experience entitle them to engage by keeping abreast of developments in their areas of expertise.
3. Claim expertise in areas of library and information work or in other disciplines only where their skills and knowledge are adequate.
4. Refrain from any behaviour in the course of their work which might bring the information profession into disrepute.
B. Responsibilities to information and its users
The behaviour of professionals who work with information should be guided by a regard for the interests and needs of information users. People working in the information profession also need to be conscious that they have responsibility for a growing heritage of information and data, irrespective of format. This includes works of the imagination as well as factual data. Members should therefore:
1. Ensure that information users are aware of the scope and remit of the service being provided.
2. Make the process of providing information, and the standards and procedures governing that process, as clear and open as possible.
3. Avoid inappropriate bias or value judgements in the provision of services.
4. Protect the confidentiality of all matters relating to information users, including their enquiries, any services to be provided, and any aspects of the users' personal circumstances or business.
5. Carry out and use research involving users (e.g. surveys of needs) in a responsible manner, ensuring that best practice is followed as set out in law or in codes of conduct recommended by research organisations (e.g. universities) or professional bodies.
6. Deal fairly with the competing needs of information users, and resolve conflicting priorities with due regard for the urgency and importance of the matters being considered.
7. Deal promptly and fairly with any complaints from information users, and keep them informed about progress in the handling of their complaints.
8. Ensure that the information systems and services for which they are responsible are the most effective, within the resources available, in meeting the needs of users.
9. Ensure that the materials to which they provide access are those which are most appropriate to the needs of legitimate users of the service.
10. Defend the legitimate needs and interests of information users, while upholding the moral and legal rights of the creators and distributors of intellectual property.
11. Respect the integrity of information sources, and cite sources used, as appropriate.
12. Show an appropriate concern for the future information needs of society through the long-term preservation and conservation of materials as required, as well as an understanding of proper records management.
C. Responsibilities to colleagues and the information community
The personal conduct of information professionals at work should promote the profession in the best possible manner at all times. Members should therefore:
1. Act in ways that promote the profession positively, both to their colleagues and to the public at large.
2. Afford respect and understanding to other colleagues, including those in other professions, and acknowledge their ideas, contributions and work, wherever and whenever appropriate.
3. Refer to colleagues in a professional manner and not discredit or criticise their work unreasonably or inappropriately.
4. When working in an independent capacity, conduct their business in a professional manner that respects the legitimate rights and interests of others.
5. Encourage colleagues, especially those for whom they have a line-management responsibility, to maintain and enhance their professional knowledge and competence.
6. Ensure that any member of staff to whom a task is delegated has the knowledge and skills necessary to undertake that task effectively and efficiently.
7. Share, where possible, results of research and development projects they have been involved in to help encourage best practice across the profession and enable colleagues to improve the services they provide.
8. Refrain from ascribing views to, or speaking on behalf of, CILIP, unless specifically authorised to do so.
9. Report significant breaches of this Code to the appropriate authorities.1
D. Responsibilities to society
One of the distinguishing features of professions is that their knowledge and skills are at the service of society at large, and do not simply serve the interests of the immediate customer. Members should therefore:
1. Consider the public good, both in general and as it refers to particular vulnerable groups, as well as the immediate claims arising from their employment and their professional duties.
2. Promote equitable access for all members of society to public domain information of all kinds and in all formats.
3. Promote the necessary skills and knowledge amongst users to become effective independent learners and researchers.
4. Strive to achieve an appropriate balance within the law between demands from information users, the need to respect confidentiality, the terms of their employment, the public good and the responsibilities outlined in this Code.
5. Encourage and promote wider knowledge and acceptance of, and wider compliance with, this Code, both among colleagues in the information professions and more widely among those whom we serve.
E. Responsibilities as employees
Members who are employed have duties that go beyond the immediate terms of their employment contract. On occasion these may conflict with the immediate demands of their employer but be in the broader interest of the public and possibly the employer themselves.2 Members should therefore:
1. Develop a knowledge and understanding of the organisation in which they work and use their skills and expertise to promote the legitimate aims and objectives of their employer.
2. Avoid engaging in unethical practices during their work and bring to the attention of their employer any concerns they may have concerning the ethics or legality of specific decisions, actions or behaviour at work.
CILIP, 2004, amended 2012.