A New Code of Ethics for Librarians?
ALA Codes and Johan Bekker's Proposals

A Critical Note on Lee W. Fink's "Librarianship Needs A New Code of Professional Ethics"

March 2, 2001

In 1995, the American Library Association approved the latest revision of its Code of Ethics. The preceding version, "Statement on Professional Ethics" (1981), was significantly shorter and more general than the original "Code of Ethics for Librarians" (1939), following recent trends toward brief, clear and positive codes of ethics. The newest revision includes additional clauses addressing intellectual property rights (IV) and professional development (VIII), an expanded preamble and a significant rewording of the existing clauses. Richard E. Rubin (2000) notes that Lee W. Finks (1991) has suggested an entirely new general code of ethics for librarians. Finks argues that the 1981 code (the most recent at the time) does not live up to its promise if a code's purpose "is to give guidance to its practitioners on their responsibilities and priorities, to inspire the practitioners in advancing their professional ideals, and to state to the world at large the mission of the field." Does the 1995 revision address those needs better than previous versions?

Fink's critique is in turn based on Johan Bekker's critique of the 1975 draft in his unpublished dissertation, "Professional Ethics and Its Application to Librarianship." Bekker termed the 1975 draft "one of the worst codes of occupational ethics in existence" (quoted in Finks 1991) and aimed to demonstrate the value of a well-conceived code, with examples and models drawn from other disciplines and professions.

A profession maintains society's support through a good reputation built on reliability, integrity and competency among its members. Bekker argues that all professions must have codes of ethics to thrive. Such codes "define the limits of acceptable conduct and give guidance as to what actions are regarded as right and wrong in the occupation." (Finks 1991) They provide a basis for consistent ethical behavior, provide an impersonal way to refuse questionable requests, and discourage practices that could bring the group as a whole into disgrace. He concludes that a code should be directed outwardly and ultimately exists for the benefit of society rather than the practitioners themselves, with the highest ethical focus being service to clients.

In Bekker's view, a code must address seven major categories; two additional areas apply particularly to librarians. He argues that librarians behave ethically when they act in such a way that they fulfill their function, thereby fulfilling the function of the library, which Jesse Shera stated as optimizing the value of recorded information for humankind.

• Essence of the Profession: A code should include a profession's entire philosophy. Such a statement is often included in a preamble, which is the case in the 1995 code, essentially unchanged from the 1981 revision.
• Confidential Information: Bekker distinguishes between "privileged communication" - practitioners have a legally established right to withhold information - and "confidential communication"- an ethical consideration. For librarians, only confidential information is an issue and has been included since the first code.
• Extra-occupational Activities: Extra-occupational activities are those falling outside normal occupational duties. They should not interfere with the practitioner's ability to perform his or her job; for librarians, their job should come first, even during leisure times, and partisan or religious beliefs should not interfere. Various clauses have addressed this issue all versions of the code (1939: 18, 19; 1981: V, VI; and 1995: VI, VII) revisions.
• Continuing Education: Codes sometimes emphasize the need for continuing education to remain current and maintain competency. Lifelong scholarship also helps librarians serve as models. Although the 1939 code included a clause on continuing education (20), although absent in the 1981 revision; it is once again included in 1995 (VIII).
• Research: Research and continuing education are usually linked in codes of ethics for contemporary professions. A strong emphasis on advancing a profession through research keeps it relevant and vital. The 1995 code includes the concept for the first time (also VIII).
• Occupational Development: Because a stagnant profession serves neither society nor its practitioners, codes usually prescribe advancing the profession through personal professional development and by encouraging others, particularly new practitioners. Although absent from the 1981 revision, the 1939 code mentions occupation development (21); it can be found again in the 1995 code (also VIII).
• Membership in Occupational Associations: Self-organization is usually a hallmark of a profession and can be regarded as useful for practitioners in providing opportunities for professional development and the enforcement of a code of ethics. Such a clause appeared in the 1939 code (25), but has been absent in succeeding revisions.
• Peer Group Control over Conduct: In a profession, peers have responsibility over the conduct of each practitioner; individuals are often reluctant to report unethical behavior without the support of a code of ethics. Neither the 1995 code nor its predecessors mention peer group control.
• Special Issues: Most professions confront issues peculiar to their area. Librarians have an obligation to provide the freest access to information to library users without advocating or limiting access to a particular point of view, even if doing so goes against personal convictions. Likewise, librarians must exercise considerable judgment within the framework of intellectual freedom to select materials that will most benefit library users. Both the 1981 and 1995 codes address both issues in their preambles; intellectual freedom is also addressed in terms of censorship in the 1981 code (II) and specifically addressed in the revised clause in 1995 (II).
• A Catchall Clause: No code can or should attempt to cover all situations; nonetheless, a catchall clause promoting ethical behavior can serve as a general guideline. Although the 1939 code ended with such a clause (28), neither 1981 nor 1995 specifically address the issue.

Finks closes with a charge to the ALA's Council on Professional Ethics to use Bekker's guidelines. The 1995 code notably lacks any mention of occupational associations, peer group control (perhaps because true professional control is lacking in the U.S.), or a catchall clause; other areas are tangentially addressed, such as research. Overall, the code is a significant improvement and does more closely fit Bekker's model than preceding accepted and proposed revisions. Perhaps the next revision will be even more comprehensive.

References

American Library Association. (1939). 1939 Code of Ethics for Librarians. Chicago, Ill: American Library Association. Retrieved March 1, 2001 from www.ala.org/alaorg/oif/historyofcode.html

American Library Association. (1981). 1981 Statement on Professional Ethics . Chicago, Ill: American Library Association. Retrieved March 1, 2001 from www.ala.org/alaorg/oif/1981code.html

American Library Association. (1995) Code of Ethics of the American Library Association, Adopted by the ALA Council, June 28, 1995. . Chicago, Ill: American Library Association. Retrieved March 1, 2001 from www.ala.org/alaorg/oif/ethics.html

Finks, L. W. (1991, January). Librarianship Needs a New Code of Professional Ethics. American Libraries, 22, 84-92.

Rubin, R. E. (2000). Foundations of Library and Information Science. New York: Neil-Schuman.