Competency A
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Demonstrate awareness of the ethics, values, and foundational principles of one of the information professions, and discuss the importance of those principles within that profession.
Introduction
The ethics, values, and foundational principles of librarianship serve as a framework for guiding information professionals in critical decision-making, providing services, and facing existential challenges. The American Library Association's (ALA) Core Values represent the guiding ideals to promote equitable access to information and uphold ethical standards of librarianship and the information profession as a whole. Foundational documents like the ALA's Code of Ethics and the Library Bill of Rights directly correspond with core values and emphasize the importance of knowledge access, intellectual freedom, privacy, community engagement, and the role of libraries as a refuge against systemic threats to information literacy.
Access and Equity
Information professionals are committed to designing, maintaining, and facilitating systems that empower patrons to freely access information, regardless of technology, format, or delivery methods (ALA, 2024). According to the ALA’s (2017) code of ethics, library services should be “accurate, unbiased, and courteous responses to all requests.”. This commitment to unfettered access to information is crucial for meeting educational needs and enhancing the overall quality of life for individuals and communities. However, challenges arise in ensuring equitable access, particularly in underserved populations where digital divides and socioeconomic barriers persist. Information professionals must advocate for resources and policies that dismantle these barriers, ensuring that all individuals have the opportunity to access vital information. Equity should act as a guiding light when developing and enacting policies and services with great care to strive to meet the needs of diverse populations.
Intellectual Freedom and Privacy
Article VII of the Library Bill of Rights states that “All people […] possess a right to privacy and confidentiality in their library use. Libraries should advocate for, educate about, and protect people’s privacy, safeguarding all library use data, including personally identifiable information (ALA, 2006). Information professionals seek to encourage curiosity, and privacy protects this right, guaranteeing the formation of opinions without interference. However, in the current age, privacy and subsequently intellectual freedom continue to endure novel threats due to the pervasive use of automated surveillance techniques employed by tech companies, data brokers, and state actors. Zuboff (2019) refers to this phenomenon as “surveillance capitalism," in which behavioral data is commodified and sold to the highest bidder, where corporations and governments wield instrumental power that aims to influence individual behavior and decision-making. Many individuals are largely unaware, at least to the extent that their personal information is being collected, analyzed, and used to shape their experiences and choices. Libraries, being one of the few institutions left that practice are informed by a stern adherence to privacy while also maintaining a commitment to intellectual freedom, are in a unique position to advocate for the protection of user data. They serve in a position of trust with the public, fostering an environment where individuals can explore ideas and information with materials and systems free from surveillance.
Public Good
Libraries are vital to the public good of democratic societies; therefore, a core value of the ALA (2024) is to serve as a locus for community engagement and often act as a third place, a term that refers to a social environment separate from home; the first place) and work; the second place (Christensen, 2003). In this capacity, libraries offer an accommodating environment where people may gather, exchange ideas, and learn collaboratively. By providing services and activities that serve a variety of demographics, they encourage inclusion, fostering social cohesiveness and community relationships. By facilitating access to information and encouraging lifelong learning, libraries empower citizens to improve upon the holistic prosperity of culture and society.
Sustainability
Sustainable decision-making involves choosing strategies and practices that are in harmony with the environment, are fiscally sound, and promote equity (ALA, 2024). In order for libraries to remain sustainable, they need to be resilient, not only in terms of physical infrastructure but also through policy, projects, and community partnerships, as well as a focus on balance, efficiency, and longevity. This resilience allows libraries to adapt to changing community needs and technological advancements while ensuring that they can continue to provide essential services. Additionally, implementing sustainable practices in facilities, operations, services, and programming ultimately helps libraries to not only minimize their environmental impact but also ensures that they can continue to persist through economic, social, and environmental crises.
Competency Development
The strong sense of ethics, values, and principles in library and information science is what initially drew me to the profession. I am particularly passionate about digital equity, data privacy, resilience, and data literacy. Working in a public library branch as a paraprofessional in a technology reference position has confirmed to me the need for ongoing discourse on merging the values and ethics of librarianship with the new and emerging technological landscape. I regularly conduct programs focused on digital privacy, where I teach patrons about methods and resources to better safeguard their personal information online. My coursework has also prepared me for navigating these complex ethical landscapes in my future career. Completing the AI and Data Ethics course (INFO 287) has especially provided me with a solid foundation in understanding the implications of technology on librarianship. Yet with ethical issues being a prominent concern for many practicing and emerging information professionals, I find it hard to think of a course that did not cover at least some part of the ethical aspects of the particular subject area, both prompted or organic. This has given me much experience both pondering and expressing my thoughts on how we can address these dilemmas in a thoughtful and responsible manner through many areas of library and information science.
Evidence
Practicum 1 is an ethical impact assessment for the hypothetical case where a university library is using a Large Language Model (LLM) AI chatbot to aid in the generation of reference and research material. Ethical impact assessments center around promoting actions that can mitigate the potential negative consequences of a decision or action for various stakeholders. These assessments aim to promote ethical decision-making and accountability within organizations. Since the hypothetical scenario involved library reference and research material, I connected the values to existing RUSA guidelines for reference materials, interviews, and interactions in broader applied ethics frameworks, considering factors such as data privacy, bias, and transparency. Connecting these contexts with a grounded approach allowed for the evaluation of the potential risks and benefits of using the LLM AI chatbot in the university library setting while also exploring ways to mitigate any ethical concerns that may arise from implementing this technology.
It was also important for this ethical impact assessment to acknowledge the tension between desired outcomes of reference librarians, the library as an organization, software developers, publishers, authors, and patrons . This juxtaposition of sometimes differing values can lead to a complex interplay between parties when attempting to make actionable policy decisions about the implementation of emerging technology. In order to bridge theory and practice I followed a pragmatic approach that aimed to ensure that all stakeholders' perspectives were taken into account, leading to a more well-rounded ethical analysis of the LLM AI chatbot implementation. By considering the diverse interests and concerns of each party involved, I aimed to make the decision-making process more transparent and inclusive.
This discussion post critiques the article "Automation of Knowledge-Based Shared Services and Centers of Expertise" by Suri et al. (2019) from an ethical perspective, focusing on the implications of automation for workers and the potential for job displacement. Drawing from my experience in public libraries, I discuss the impact of automation on job roles and suggest practical recommendations for ethical implementation, such as prioritizing personnel expenses and retaining knowledge in-house.
The discussion post effectively demonstrates Competency A by critically analyzing the ethical implications of automation in knowledge-based shared services. Highlighted in the discussion is the potential for job displacement and the impact on knowledge workers' livelihoods, emphasizing the importance of fairness and trust as foundational ethical principles. My critique of Suri et al. (2019) for their lack of consideration for worker well-being underscores the need for ethical considerations in sectors focused on societal impact rather than profit. Overall, the post showcases a nuanced understanding of the complexities of checking technological advancement against ethical responsibilities.
Evidence 3
This discussion post from the INFO 210 Reference and Information Services course emphasizes the importance of upholding patron privacy in libraries by integrating ethical considerations into library systems, tools, and infrastructure rather than relying solely on policies. I highlight historical practices, such as the automatic deletion of loan histories, which protect patrons from potential subpoenas and safeguard sensitive information, particularly for vulnerable individuals. The post references ALA privacy guides as a starting point but critiques their reliance on vendor transparency rather than proactive design. Ultimately, the post calls for libraries to adopt a more active role in preserving patron privacy in the face of increasing surveillance, ensuring that resources and technologies respect and inform patrons about their intellectual freedoms.
The discussion post serves as evidence for Competency A by demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of the ethical principles surrounding patron privacy in libraries. I articulate the necessity of integrating privacy considerations into library systems and infrastructure, rather than relying solely on policies, thereby highlighting the importance of ethical design in information practices. By discussing the implications of data handling by third-party vendors and referencing ALA privacy guides, the author shows awareness of the ethical responsibilities that libraries have in protecting patron information. Furthermore, the post emphasizes the need for proactive measures, such as built-in privacy protections in new technologies, to safeguard vulnerable patrons in an increasingly surveilled environment.
The CITI Program certification provides evidence of the completion of the basic, no more than minimal risk, human subjects training program that I completed in conjunction with the INFO 285, Unobtrusive Research Methods course. This two-part certification covers essential ethical principles and guidelines for conducting research responsibly. While the course specifically avoided research with human subjects by design, the certification process has prepared me for future research endeavors, should I encounter situations that involve the need for informed consent, ethical treatment, and protection of human subjects in the research process.
Conclusion
As I continue to grow in my career as an information professional, I hold to the core principles of integrity, inclusivity, and service to guide my path at all scales. These ethics not only shape my interactions with patrons and colleagues but also influence the decisions I make regarding the resources and technologies I advocate for. I believe that by prioritizing these values, I can contribute to a more equitable and informed society, where access to information is treated as a fundamental right for all individuals, regardless of their background or circumstances. As I navigate the challenges and opportunities of the evolving information landscape, I will continue to do my best to cultivate an environment that respects diverse perspectives, protects intellectual autonomy, and promotes lifelong learning.
References
ALA (2017, May 19). ALA Code of Ethics. American Library Association. Retrieved January 28, 2025. https://www.ala.org/tools/ethics
ALA. (2006, June 30). Library bill of rights. American Library Association. Retrieved January 28, 2025. https://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill
ALA (2024, January). Core Values of Librarianship. American Library Association. Retrieved January 28, 2025. https://www.ala.org/advocacy/advocacy/intfreedom/corevalues
Christensen, K. (2003). Third Places. Encyclopedia of community: From the village to the virtual world (Vol. 4, pp. 1374-1376). SAGE Publications, Inc., https://doi.org/10.4135/9781412952583
Zuboff, S. (2019). Surveillance capitalism and the challenge of collective action. New Labor Forum, 28(1), 10–29. https://doi.org/10.1177/1095796018819461