(no subject)

[lizzybennet]

Last week in one of my courses (Professional Aspects of Information Sciences)we talked about the code of ethics adopted by various professional librarian groups. The most well-known group, the ALA, has a well known document entitled Freedom to Read. This document establishes the librarians duty to provide access to all information to anyone who seeks it. A librarian cannot endorse one aspect of a political argument, cannot restrict information based on her own personal beliefs, cannot discourage or prevent anyone for seeking information on any topic they choose, nor can she discriminate against information because the beliefs go against her own. Another facet is privacy. Libraries do not keep track of what their patrons check out. If a parent comes to a librarian demanding to know what her 10 year old son recently checked out from the library, this information is confidential and will not/cannot be revealed to the parent. Naturally, librarians fight avidly against all forms of censorship.

For many years, I've known this is an essential component of a librarians career. However, I have to admit that I wonder how this will fit in with my own sense of duty and right? If a ten year old boy comes to me and asks me to help him find information on building a homemade bomb, what do I do? If a 13 year old girl and her 19 year old boyfriend want to check out the Karma Sutra, how do I resolve that with my conscious? My own parents, while always encouraging me to read as much as I liked, taught me that some literature is better off left on the outside of your mind. There are so many amazing books out there, why junk up your mind with trash?

Keeping my opinions to myself has never been a real problem for me. I am quite content to live and let live, despite if my own beliefs conflict with my friends. People make their own choices and it's not for me to say what they should or shouldn't read. In that aspect, I don't think the Freedom to Read statement will be difficult for me to follow. I think I'll struggle with it most when I worry that someone is seeking information that could be dangerous to themselves or others. I know this will be a challenging aspect of the career for me.

Another quick note: For another class this semester I'm required to volunteer at the Internet Public Library, answering reference questions. I'm really excited about this!! I've also begun looking for internships for this summer. I NEED to get some real experience if I hope to quickly land a job after graduation.

Comments

[themenow.livejournal.com]

I've always loved that my librarians have been ever so unjudgemental about the books I check out. Now if it's something fun like knitting, crochet, etc. I love it when they say, "Oooh! You'll really like this one!" But when I have to check out something on a more sensitive subject I've always appreciated their professionalism. Of course I am an adult and the sensitive stuff is usually about how to make marriage last in the bedroom or something similar. But still, you know?

On a not so similar but silly note: When I worked at Wal-Mart I once had to check out one of the guys from the 2nd shift. He was purchasing condoms. The box said extra large. It took all I had not to laugh out loud because he was slightly less than short guy, a smoker, and soooo ungood looking. I'll admit, i was never a fan of his because he was really snotty to the third shift crew. I kept thinking, "yeah, extra-large, sure."

[mysteena.livejournal.com]

Ha, I had several occasions like that when I worked at walmart pharmacy. People I knew from church picking up weight loss drugs, birth control or meds to sedate their kids on an airplane ride. I always had to handle it with professionalism and make sure I didn't blab about it to anyone else. It's tough to maintain a straight face in situations like that sometimes. I wonder if I work at a small town library I'll have a similar problem?

A girl in my glass mentioned that once she was researching the subject of euthenasia. When she checked out books on the subject at the front desk, the librarian looked at her with concern and asked if she was ok. I know that as a person, her heart was probably concerned, but as a professional, she shouldn't have done that. It somewhat embarressed the girl doing the research.