Values for librarians in the information age: an expanded examination
| Date | 01 August 2000 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/01435120010327597 |
| Pages | 285-297 |
| Published date | 01 August 2000 |
| Author | Wanda V. Dole,Jitka M. Hurych,Wallace C. Koehler |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science |
Values for librarians in
the information age: an
expanded examination
Wanda V. Dole
Jitka M. Hurych and
Wallace C. Koehler
Introduction
Values may be defined as ``generalised
abstract ideas held by human individuals or
groups about what is desirable, proper, good
or bad'' (Allan, 1993). In this century, the
core values of North American librarianship
have included intellectual freedom, open and
free access to information, and resistance to
censorship. Although not always without
controversy, these values seemed clearly
defined and easy to support. Librarians could
rely on the values of open access to
information as a guiding principle for
collection building, reference, and
information services.
The advent of the information age has
brought other ethical issues to the attention of
librarians. Globalisation and rapidly changing
technology are forcing the library profession
to rethink its mission and responsibilities.
Technology has and will continue to have an
enormous effect on how information is
accessed, retrieved, and built into knowledge.
Previously accepted values are being
challenged.
Values for librarians
Are there universal values for librarians? In
their review of library ethics and values
literature, Dole and Hurych (1998) conclude
that there are no standard definitions for
those ethics and values. Kirk and Poston-
Anderson (1992) report that there is no
agreement on the meaning of the term
``value'' and its relationship to other concepts
(such as attitude, need, interest, preference,
motive and life-style) and whether there is a
set of universal values, relevant to all people
regardless of cultural background.
Most commentators cite some or all of the
following values as core professional values
(see, for example, Hauptman, 1991; Stichler
and Hauptman, 1998; Devlin and Miller,
1995; Johnson, 1994; Intner and Schement,
1987; Baker, 1992; Rubin, 1991; Ford, 1998;
Hisle, 1998; Symons and Stoffle, 1998):
.intellectual freedom;
.protecting library users' right to privacy/
confidentiality;
The authors
Wanda V. Dole is Director, Mabee Library, Washburn
University, Topeka, Kansas, USA.
Jitka M. Hurych is Professor and Head, Science,
Engineering and Business Department, Northern Illinois
University, FoundersMemorial Library, DeKalb, Illinois, USA.
Wallace C. Koehler is Assistant Professor, School of
Library and Information Studies, The University of
Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, USA.
Keywords
Librarians, Management, Ethics, Values
Abstract
The library profession has been concerned with ethical
issues since its beginning. Ethical issues raised in the early
years dealt primarily with librarians' responsibility to the
employer or patron. The focus later shifted to questions of
professional identity, organisational environment, and
social responsibilities. Rapid technological change and the
advent of the information age are forcing the library
profession to rethink its mission and responsibilities. This
paper expands research on a survey of librarians' ethical
values reported by Dole and Hurych (forthcoming) at the
1998 EEI21 Symposium. In the 1998 study, they
conducted a survey of North American librarians and
librarians at a conference in the Crimea (Ukraine) to
examine the values considered most important by each
group and to identify differences in the priorities of values
assigned by the groups studied. They found that all three
groups held similar values. The current study replicates
the 1998 survey among librarians throughout the world.
Additional professional and demographic data were
collected during the second iteration to support
consideration of professional training, library experience
and type, and professional responsibilities as possible
factors contributing to value formation.
Electronic access
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A version of this paper was presented at the
EE121-1999 Conference held at the University of
Memphis, October 1999.
285
Library Management
Volume 21 .Number 6 .2000 .pp. 285±297
#MCB University Press .ISSN 0143-5124
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