Ethic Scenario

 

Q1) The police chief asks you to provide records that document the library use of a person who she thinks is responsible for a series of thefts in the community. The chief explains to you that no one will know that you provided the records.

 

It is our duty as an employee of the library, to protect the privacy of the patrons.  Libraries have built a reputation as a safe haven for people of the community.  If patrons did not believe that their searches and viewing choices would be kept confidential, they would not be willing to ask questions and perform searches for fear of judgement.  Staff should be trained how to handle intimidation by law enforcement through reenactments. 

 

I would tell the police that I am unable to provide any patron records without the expressed written consent of the patron or by a subpoena.   We follow the guidelines of the American Library Association, and “We protect the rights of individual’s privacy and confidentiality in the use of library resources and services.”

 

Reference:

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Fourie, D. K., & Loe, N. E. (2016). Libraries in the information age: An introduction and career exploration. Santa Barbara, CA: Libraries Unlimited, an imprint of ABC-CLIO, LLC.

 

 

Q4) An alumnus, who has generously contributed to the academic library, believes that the library should only have materials that promote the community’s values.

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It is important for the alumnus to understand that the library needs to have materials that are relevant to everyone’s needs.  I would try to explain that all materials chosen have gone through a selection process or has been purchased because due to a patron request.

 

Depending on the alumnus reaction, I could also tell them about section II of the Library Bill of Rights, “Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues.  Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.” 

 

As an employee of the library, we have the obligation to be all encompassing in the collection development.  We cannot exclude materials because of patron objections, donor objections, or even our own personal objections.  

 

Since the alumnus has contributed to the library, it would be beneficial for the Director of Library Services to come and speak with the donor.

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Q5) A patron checks out materials on religion at the public library. When he receives an overdue notice, he informs the library will not return the books because he believes the materials are not suitable for the community.

 

Something like this happened at a library in Maine.  Where the patron checked out two copies of Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex & Sexual Health, and refused to return the books because of the sexual content. The patron sent a check to the library to cover the costs of the books. The Director of the Lewiston Library, Rick Speer refused the check and sent the form Reconsideration of Materials for the challenged books.

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The act by the patron is theft.  It is depriving other patrons the use of the books.  Like the library in Maine, an act like this could benefit by getting the public involved.  The American Library Association states, “There is no place in our society for efforts to coerce the taste of others, to confine adults to the reading matter deemed suitable for adolescents, or to inhibit the efforts of writers to achieve artistic expression.”

 

This incident is a teaching tool, to explain to the community that there are procedures in place for them to express their concerns.  It is also an opportunity to explain that materials are selected through a defined process, and are also chosen by patron requests.

 

http://www.swissarmylibrarian.net/2007/09/19/patron-refuses-to-return-book/

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