Everyday Library Ethics Series: Part Three

Case Studies: Ten Real Library Ethical Dilemmas

PCI Webinars

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Case studies expand your world.

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Outcomes

Create policies before there’s a problem. Clarify concerns inside and outside the

library. Build support for making difficult

decisions. Educate the public about ethical guidelines. Evaluate situations for possible interventions.

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Agenda

Introduction to Case Studies How to Use Them Case Study Myths Questions Ten Stories Next Steps Connections

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Introduction

Case Studies: Best Way to Study Ethics? Engaging stories: Involve the participants. Playing the “What-If” Game Real situations Tweaked to protect identities Complex and ambiguous situations Get to know each other’s positions.

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How To Use Case Studies

Formal programs to educate community Training for boards and staff Illustrate and discuss difficult issues:

Without pressure of deadlines Learn from successes and failures. Empathy for all sides of the issue

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Case Study Myths

Filling in the blanks is arbitrary and phony.

Stories can’t prepare us for problems.

It will never happen to us. Stories are not realistic. We are tempting fate.

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Questions

What else do you need to know? Is there a key issue to resolve? What are the different positions? Are there colliding ethical codes? What stakeholders are not

mentioned? What would be a good resolution? And two more good resolutions?

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Fiscal Responsibility #1

The new small-town library trustee wanted the board to hire an independent auditor.“Our director and accountant are honest and competent,” said the longtime trustees. “Hiring an outside firm will cost too much money and time, and it’s micromanagement. Either we trust the director, or we fire her.”“Outside auditors can educate the library staff and leaderships about new ways of making and saving money. And random audits show our community that we have nothing to hide and that we manage our resources well.”Is an outside audit worth the price and the hassle?

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Freedom of Press #2

The library’s new website promotes books favored by staff and patrons. Most recently, a group of local, self-published authors wants their books front and center.“We are local authors, so our books should have the center stage on the website. To deny us our place in the limelight is an issue of freedom of the press.”“We support local authors with a display of books in the library’s lobby plus events throughout the year. (And, frankly, some of those self-published books are not very good and not recommended by staff or patrons.”Is the library denying the authors their rights?

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Freedom of Assembly Case #3

Citizens For Public Responsibility, a group critical of the school board’s decisions regarding standards, meets in the park on library property every week. They make speeches, pass out flyers, and argue with passers-by. Increasingly, the library hears complaints about their behavior.“We have a right to hang out, discuss issues, and make our case to the general public.”“Your actions are intimidating library users and those people who want to use the park to read, throw frisbees, and play with their children.”Is this a First Amendment issue?

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Access for Everyone #4

The rules are very simple: Anyone under the age of 18 who wants a library card needs to have a parent or legal guardian sign a permission slip. But, some refuse to sign. One reason: State law forbids parents from knowing what their children are checking out from the library.“I don’t like the government interfering with my parental relationship. What my children read is my business.”“Your children’s right to read what they want is protected by state law. Meanwhile, your refusal to sign for their card means they are denied the right to access information.”Is this a collision of ethical codes?

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Religious Programs #5

Many organizations use the library’s meeting rooms: exercise classes, the League of Women Voters, craft clubs, professional associations, etc. But what isn’t allowed is any group that has ties to organized religion. A church group that runs literacy programs wants to book a room.“We are teaching new Americans and illiterate natives to read, using faith-based books from the library’s and church’s collections. However, all are welcome.”“You also pray at the beginning of each program. We take the separation of church and state pretty seriously.”Is the library violating their freedom of religion?

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The Staff Public Voice #6

The new director’s decisions were controversial, but the library did not have a grievance policy and employees were forbidden from attending board meetings. Letters to the editor and blog posts signed by disgruntled employees appeared. The board and director announced that such postings would be considered insubordination.“Staff do not have the right to undermine the library’s work in the community–while drawing a paycheck.”“The community has the right to hear from us firsthand about what is wrong with the new director.”Is the library denying the staff their freedom of speech?

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The Paperless Office#7

The library is going green. This means documents are posted online and transactions completed via the Internet. Exceptions are made, but you have to have a reason, such as a disability. Paper is no longer a universal option.“We save money, provide better service, and eliminate waste in our landfill. Reducing paper is an ethical issue.”“You discriminate against people who don’t have computers at home (old, poor, illiterate). Then, you force library users to disclose personal information to justify their desire to use paper to fill out a form or see a policy statement.”Is green ethics conflicting with user access to services?

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The Holds Dilemma #8

If you regularly used the library, inevitably a staff member will mention the holds policy. ‘Just tell us what books you want, and we will let you know when they are available. We will put them on a shelf for you in the back hall by the employee’s break room. Of course, we keep this service as a benefit for our most loyal library users; don’t have the room or staff to support everyone using it.’“Cancel the program. It favors only those few who have good relations with the staff.”“Expand the program, as you can.”Has the library created an elite class of users?

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Illiterate Customers #9

The library’s collections and services have changed over the years. Graphic novels, dvds, movie nights, audiobooks, maker classes, and dance and music performances bring in more people than quiet reading rooms and scholarly collections. So, what about the population that does not read or write English? Does the library serve them well?“Pictures on signs, radio ads, and simple instructions serve the population that does not understand written English: an underserved audience.”“Libraries will always be about reading, first and foremost.”Are libraries denying services to people based on bias?”

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The Family Card #10

Forgetting to bring the card to the library can be a nuisance. So what is the big deal if families and roommates share cards and accounts, particularly in a small community or institution where everyone one knows everyone else?“Library cards are the traditional way for libraries to track books and help ensure user privacy. Without a “one person, one card” policy, we can’t effectively protect materials and individuals’ rights to read anonymously.”“Antiquated rules keep people from borrowing books.”Do libraries deny access with rules that are no longer necessary? Why not have online user accounts? Facial recognition? Signed permissions from users?

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Next Steps

Research ethical case studies. Staff, board, and community

programs Create your own case studies. Bring in outside speakers. Use the model for other issues. Partner with schools and higher ed.

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Resources

http://www.vanderbilt.edu/CenterforEthics/cases.html

http://web.tepper.cmu.edu/ethics/aa/arthurandersen.htm

http://www.emeraldinsight.com/librarians/index.htm

http://ethics.iit.edu/eelibrary/?q=node/2395

http://writing.colostate.edu/guides/guide.cfm?guideid=60

http://www.universaldesigncasestudies.org

http://www.scu.edu/ethics/practicing/focusareas/cases.cfm

http://www.spj.org/ethicscasestudies.asp

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Connections

pat@sieralearn.com www.sieralearn.com Twitter: @pat2pattern @sieralearnteach LinkedIn: Pat Wagner Facebook: Pat Wagner librarything.com: patternresearch