Wilson Mericle
Ethics-The student assesses the philosophy, principles, and ethics of the library and information field.
The library and information science field is one of service. We as librarians are meant to aid in the maintenance, creation, and dissemination of information. While fulfilling, this position comes with a plethora of philosophical and ethical dilemmas: Are there certain items or areas of interest to which we should deny access based solely on content? Can we refuse to help a patron because of the knowledge he/she is seeking? Can we let our personal beliefs dictate such decisions? The short answer to each of these questions is "No."
In LIS 600: Foundation of Libraries and Information Studies, we were tasked to analyse an ethical issue in libraries and create an advocacy project based on our conclusion. I performed a case study of an oversight in an academic library regarding an endowed book fund for LGBTQ materials. The restriction had been lost over time, and the library was unaware they were purchasing items with an endowment meant for specific materials. The family who created the book fund, the dean of academic affairs, and the college LGBT community came together to fix the problem. The library reallocated the funds to purchasing appropriate materials, reset the restriction on the endowment, and sent a formal apology to the family.
Although this case ended on a positive note, such is not often the case. Opinions are slowly shifting regarding the LGBTQ community; however, adding LGBT materials to library collections is still not a priority. There are instances when adding such materials to an institution's collection does not make sense, but in the broader sense, inclusivity is key. With Article 1 of the American Library Association's Bill of Rights in mind, I created a digital book display containing non-fiction and fiction LGBTQ+ works to advocate for their inclusion in library collections.
Another ethics/advocacy project on which I worked centered on the assistance of individuals with disabilities in their utilization of library facilities. I partnered with another LIS student to write an LSTA grant for a public library in Greensboro, NC. The focus of the grant was on obtaining technology for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Patrons who were blind or visually impaired would be able to access library materials and electronic resources through the following technological additions: screen reader software for Windows operating systems, screen and video magnifiers, refreshable braille displays, and a 3D printer. The grant allowed for training provided by grant partners to ensure library staff would be able to operate the equipment and software, troubleshoot issues, and answer questions from library patrons.
These two cases demonstrate the diverse ethical problems that can face the library community. We as librarians are tasked with providing the tools and materials to gather and create information. To do so, we must advocate for under-represented resources and underserved populations. Librarians strive, to the best of our ability, to serve our patrons professionally, ethically, and without bias.
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