圖書館員專業倫理

毛慶禎
輔仁大學圖書資訊學系

1998年美國法院判定 Loudoun County, Va 的公共圖書館採用過濾軟體是違憲的, 即違反憲法第一修正案 - 言論自由; 美國政府通過的法令, 要求接受政府補助連線上網的公共圖書館及中小學, 必須自2002年七月開始, 全面採用過濾軟體。美國民權聯盟(ACLU, American Civil Liberties Union)對此很有意見, 準備聯合美國圖書館協會, 對此提出訴訟。

Code of Ethics of the American Library Association

June 28, 1995

As members of the American Library Association, we recognize the importance of codifying and making known to the profession and to the general public the ethical principles that guide the work of librarians, other professionals providing information services, library trustees and library staffs.

Ethical dilemmas occur when values are in conflict. The American Library Association Code of Ethics states the values to which we are committed, and embodies the ethical responsibilities of the profession in this changing information environment.

We significantly influence or control the selection, organization, preservation, and dissemination of information. In a political system grounded in an informed citizenry, we are members of a profession explicitly committed to intellectual freedom and the freedom of access to information. We have a special obligation to ensure the free flow of information and ideas to present and future generations.

The principles of this Code are expressed in broad statements to guide ethical decision making. These statements provide a framework; they cannot and do not dictate conduct to cover particular situations.

1. We provide the highest level of service to all library users through appropriate and usefully organized resources; equitable service policies; equitable access; and accurate, unbiased, and courteous responses to all requests.
2. We uphold the principles of intellectual freedom and resist all efforts to censor library resources.
3. We protect each library user's right to privacy and confidentiality with respect to information sought or received and resources consulted, borrowed, acquired or transmitted.
4. We recognize and respect intellectual property rights.
5. We treat co-workers and other colleagues with respect, fairness and good faith, and advocate conditions of employment that safeguard the rights and welfare of all employees of our institutions.
6. We do not advance private interests at the expense of library users, colleagues, or our employing institutions.
7. We distinguish between our personal convictions and professional duties and do not allow our personal beliefs to interfere with fair representation of the aims of our institutions or the provision of access to their information resources.
8. We strive for excellence in the profession by maintaining and enhancing our own knowledge and skills, by encouraging the professional development of co-workers, and by fostering the aspirations of potential members of the profession.

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參考資料

1. 國際圖書館聯盟, 資訊自由與言論自由委員會(Freedom of Access to Information and Freedom of Expression, Faife)

   1. 任務與目標, http://www.faife.dk/faife/presen.htm

   2. 圖書館與知性自由宣言(Statement on Libraries and Intellectual Freedom), 1999/3/25第25屆IFLA理事會在海牙通過, http://www.faife.dk/policy/iflastat/iflastat.htm

2. 英國圖書館協會的相關文件:

   • Code of Professional Conduct, The Library Association, 1983, http://www.la-hq.org.uk/directory/about/conduct.html 

   • Intellectual freedom and Censorship, The Library Association, 1998/1 http://www.la-hq.org.uk/directory/prof_issues/ifac.html

3. 美國圖書館協會的相關文件:

   • http://www.ala.org/alaorg/oif/ifbrochure.html 
   • Library Bill of Right 1948, reaffirmed January 23, 1996, http://www.ala.org/work/freedom/lbr.html 
   • 圖書館員的專業倫理, Code of Ethics by American Library Association, 1975, 1981, 1995 http://www.ala.org/alaorg/oif/ethics.html,   PDF
   • The Freedom to Read http://www.ala.org/alaorg/oif/freeread.html
   • On the People's Information Bills of Rights Intellectual Freedom Manual 5th ed. (Chicago: ALA, 1996)
   • Intellectual Freedom Statement, by ALA  1971, 1982 http://www.jessamyn.com/srrt/docs/lav.html
   • Guidelines for ALCTS Members to Supplement the American Library Association Code of Ethics(Association for Library Collections & Technical Services), http://www.ala.org/alcts/publications/ethics/ethics.html