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ERIC Number: ED433024
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1999-Mar
Pages: 11
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Information Ethics for Librarians and Librarianship.
Murgai, Sarla
This paper focuses on ethics for librarians and library science in the age of electronic information. First outlined is the "public relations nightmare" that the Internet is creating for the administrators and the library staff. It is suggested that libraries pick a common sense approach that involves the library staff and community and that an honest approach to problems is necessary. The paper then goes on to discuss librarians as information consultants whose service should be compared to service provided by other professionals where identification is used to establish the rapport needed to fully assist their clients, to be available for follow up information, and to be accountable for the information provided. Presumptions behind the model of librarians as educators are outlined and the role of social ethics is discussed. Discussion then moves to copyright law in the digital age. The paper suggests that the moral value of information can be realized only by bringing the standardized classification system into accord with library patrons' specific self-understanding, life situation, and personal needs. It concludes by outlining strategies librarians can use to achieve this objective of accord, focusing on reference service, local cataloging, and public service projects. (AEF)
Publication Type: Opinion Papers; Speeches/Meeting Papers
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A