Lecture presented at the MIBF Forum sponsored by the UP Library Science Alumni Association held at SMX Convention, Pasay City on 17 September 2015

1. “We do not act right because we have virtue
or excellence, but we rather have those
because we have acted rightly.” ~ Socrates

2. Fe Angela M. Verzosa
UPLSAA MIBF Forum
SMX Convention Center
Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City
17 September 2015
Doing the right thing:
Ethical challenges for
today's Filipino librarians

3. Scenario 1
You are working as full-time chief librarian in a university
library. The VP Academics of another college offers you a
“consultant” position in their college library that you know
is undergoing accreditation. You are required only to work
one day in a month for P10k, but in return, you will allow
the institution to use your name as Library Director to fulfill
the accreditation requirement that the head of the library
must be a licensed librarian with a master’s degree in
Library Science.
Will you accept the offer?

4. Scenario 2
As a chief librarian in a university library, you are often
gifted by some favored library vendors or suppliers like
birthday cakes, Christmas ham, Thanksgiving turkey, etc.
Your reason: “I don’t think that every single person that
accepts a free pen from a vendor is forever tainted and
cannot make independent judgments on the quality of that
vendor’s products.” Besides, an occasion calls for giving
gifts. Then this time, you are offered a free trip (fare and
hotel) to Singapore, or an iPad as part of a promotional
package offer.
Will you accept the offer?

5. Scenario 3
As head librarian in a private sectarian university library,
your job includes enhancing you and your own staff’s
knowledge and skills by developing a continuing
professional education program for you and your ten co-
workers. However, due to budget constraints, you must
allocate the funds saved for seminar-training attendance of
your staff equitably, and in so doing, sacrifice your own
travel fund to attend the ALA Conference in San Francisco.
Will you give up your own?

6. Meaning of Ethics
Ethics has been defined as “moral philosophy:
the study of the general nature of morals and
of the specific moral choices to be made by a
person.”
(The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English
Language, 4th edn.)
Ethics is the study of the rules, standards, and
principles that dictate RIGHT CONDUCT
among members of society. (Loubert, 1999)
Ethics comes from Єθοσ [ethos]
Greek word for custom or habit, the
characteristic conduct of an individual
human life.

7. Ethics provide
perspective from
which to judge the
rightness or
wrongness of a
professional’s
action.
So what’s
Ethics for a
professional?
Meaning of Ethics
http://www.powershow.com/view/2e6
9e-
YjE4M/Ethics_powerpoint_ppt_present
ation

8. Code of Ethics
“Set of principles that defines ethical behavior appropriate for a
profession”
“Professional ethics
concerns one's
conduct of behavior
and practice when
carrying out
professional work”
Based on moral values?
Based on best practices?
http://www.powershow.com/view/2e69e-YjE4M/Ethics_powerpoint_ppt_presentation

9. Code of Ethics for Librarians
Professional codes of ethics are
classified as:
•mandatory/prescriptive/re
gulatory - often calls for sanctions
when certain rules are violated
• aspirational / inspirational
- provides guidance, standardization and
decision-making based on ethical
reflection
https://www.fbi.fh-koeln.de/edili/edili-about.htm#bezug

10. Moral Benchmarking
– Practically every professional organization has an
official code of ethics, which expresses their
particular professional obligations, with
enforcement mechanisms (ALA and IFLA don’t
have)
– The 2010-11 World Report records 59 countries
that have, and 51 countries that do not have, a
code of ethics for librarians
– Many of these codes of ethics for librarians are
available online at the IFLA website
Source: http://www.ifla.org/files/assets/faife/lectures-papers/2011-2_Roesch(2).pdf

11. Why moral benchmarking?
• Benchmarks address the need for a universal
approach to workplace ethics and integrity.
• Fundamentals of professional ethics should
transcend national boundaries and legal
systems
• Moral benchmarking sets and enforces
standards for ethical conduct thru disciplinary
measures or sanctions for compliance

12. There are 69 Code of ethics here

13. Library & information science associations have
a long standing concern with ethics – examples
– IFLA Professional Code of Ethics for Librarians
(adopted in 2012, with a list by country)
– American Library Association (ALA) – has a Code of
Ethics since 1903, adopted 1939, revised 2008
– Association of Independent Information Professionals
has a Code of Ethical Business Practice
– Association for Information Science & Technology
(ASIST) has Professional Guidelines
– PRC Board for Librarians (PLAI) has adopted a revised
Code of Ethics for Librarians (Resolution No. 6, Series of 2006)

14. Moral Benchmarking
Codes of Ethics are fairly recent phenomena:
- 1966 Canada - 1996 Iceland
- 1974 Costa Rica - 1997 Sweden
- 1977 Thailand - 1999 Lithuania
- 1980 Japan - 1999 Russia
- 1983 United Kingdom - 2001 Estonia
- 1989 Finland - 2006 Philippines
2012 IFLA Code

15. IFLA Code of Ethics for Librarians
Source: http://www.ifla.org/faife/professional-codes-of-ethics-for-librarians

16. Code of Ethics for Librarians

17. What is the purpose of
the Code ?
Who has to comply
with the Code ?
What happens if I
breach the Code?
Resolution No. _06_ Series of 2006
CODE OF ETHICS FOR
LIBRARIANS

18. Resolution No. _06_ Series of 2006
CODE OF ETHICS FOR LIBRARIANS
WHEREAS, Sec. 8 (h), Article II of R.A. No. 9246, known as the “Philippine Librarianship Act of 2003,”
and Sec. 8 (h), Rule II of Res. No. 05, Series of 2004, known as the “IRR of the Philippine
Librarianship Act of 2003”, empower the Board to adopt and prescribe a Code of Ethics for
Librarians; …
WHEREAS, the final draft of this Code had been submitted by the Board to the foregoing associations
and sectors for their comments and recommendations before the final adoption thereof; and
WHEREAS, any Registered Librarian who violates the said Code, after due hearing in an administrative
case conducted by the Board against him/her, shall be subject to the disciplinary action of either
the revocation of his/her certificate of registration or suspension thereof (Sec. 11 (i), Art. II; Sec.
23, Art. III of R.A. 9246; and Sec. II (i) and (m) of Rule II and Sec. 23, Rule III of Res. No. 05, Series of
2003);
NOW, THEREFORE, the Board resolves, as it is hereby resolved, to prescribe, adopt, and promulgate the
“Code of Ethics for Librarians” appended and marked as “Annex “A” and made an integral part of
this Resolution;
Done in the City of Manila this _13th_ day of _Sept._ 2006.

19. CODE OF ETHICS FOR PHILIPPINE LIBRARIANS
• Contains a Preamble
“Librarians, mindful of their role in the development of knowledge and culture
and the enrichment of people’s lives, seek the highest standards of ethical
behavior in their relations with their schools, their clients/employers, the
librarianship profession and colleagues, agencies and associations and the
public.”
• Contains four sections (total of 22 rules) :
1. Librarians with the State, Society and Public – 4 provisions
2. Librarians with Librarianship Profession – 11 provisions
3. Librarians with the Suppliers, Publishers, Dealers, etc. – 3 provisions
4. Librarians with the Clients and/or other Users of their Professional Services –
4 provisions

20. • Copyright issues
• Confidentiality and privacy issues
• Intellectual freedom and censorship issues
• Issues about equitable access to information
and service
• Conflict of interest
• Illegal practice of librarianship
• Unprofessional or dishonorable conduct
Common Ethical Dilemmas

21. Copyright Issues
1.3 Librarians shall uphold and promote the
right to information as well as abide by the
provisions of the intellectual property law.

22. Copyright Issues
IV. We respect intellectual property rights
and advocate balance between the
interests of information users and rights
holders.

23. 4. Open access and intellectual property
• Librarians and other information workers' interest is to provide the
best possible access for library users to information and ideas in any
media or format. This includes support for the principles of open
access, open source, and open licenses.
• Librarians and other information workers aim to provide fair, swift,
economical and effective access to information for users.
• Librarians and other information workers have a professional duty
to advocate for exceptions and limitations to copyright restrictions
for libraries.
IFLA Code of Ethics for Librarians
and other Information Workers (full
version), excerpts:

24. Scenario
As a circulation librarian in a private university library, you were
tasked to provide two photocopies of in-demand titles in your
collection (based on the old PD 49 (in effect from 1972 until
repealed), which allowed libraries to reproduce no more than 2
copies of any copyrighted work in its collection). When the old
copyright law was superseded by a new law (RA 8293 on the
Intellectual Property Code in effect since 1997), the reproductive
rights of libraries have been limited to only one copy. You were
then instructed to remove from the collection all the second
photocopies of works which were reproduced way back from
1972 until June 1997 when the new law took effect. All these
second copies were accessioned and previously circulated prior
to the effect of the new law.
Will you weed them out from the collection, and have them all
deaccessioned?

25. Privacy and Confidentiality
4.2 Librarians shall keep in confidence, information
acquired in the course of professional service. They
shall protect the client’s right to privacy with respect to
information sought or received and materials
consulted, borrowed, or acquired through the library.

26. Privacy and Confidentiality

27. 3. Privacy, secrecy and transparency
• Librarians and other information workers respect personal privacy,
and the protection of personal data, necessarily shared between
individuals and institutions.
• The relationship between the library and the user is one of
confidentiality and librarians and other information workers will
take appropriate measures to ensure that user data is not shared
beyond the original transaction.
• Librarians and other information workers support and participate in
transparency so that the workings of government, administration
and business are opened to the scrutiny of the general public.
IFLA Code of Ethics for Librarians
and other Information Workers (full
version), excerpts:

28. Privacy and Confidentiality

29. Examples of Best Practices
•Access to user data should be restricted
to library staff who need user data to
perform their duties (never to be given to
anyone else unless there is a court order)
•Circulation data, patron’s contact info,
etc. should be held private.
•Reference inquiries should be treated
with strictest confidence.

30. Scenario 2
As a chief librarian in a university library, you are often
gifted by some favored library vendors or suppliers like
birthday cakes, Christmas ham, Thanksgiving turkey, etc.
Your reason: “I don’t think that every single person that
accepts a free pen from a vendor is forever tainted and
cannot make independent judgments on the quality of that
vendor’s products.” Besides, an occasion calls for giving
gifts. Then this time, you are offered a free trip (fare and
hotel) to Singapore, or an iPad as part of a promotional
package offer.
Will you accept the offer?

31. Scenario 3
As head librarian in a private sectarian university library,
your job includes enhancing you and your own staff’s
knowledge and skills by developing a continuing
professional education program for you and your ten co-
workers. However, due to budget constraints, you must
allocate the funds saved for seminar-training attendance of
your staff equitably, and in so doing, sacrifice your own
travel fund to attend the ALA Conference in San Francisco.
Will you give up your own?

32. VI. We do not advance private interests at the
expense of library users, colleagues, or our
employing institutions.
•Librarians and other information workers distinguish between
their personal convictions and professional duties.
•They do not advance private interests or personal beliefs at the
expense of neutrality.
•Librarians and other information workers counter corruption
directly affecting librarianship, as in the sourcing and supply of
library materials, appointments to library posts and
administration of library contracts and finances.
Conflict of interest

33. Conflict of interest
4.4 Librarians shall refuse gifts or favors from clients and library suppliers for personal
interest. They shall avoid using the library’s resources to the detriment of services
which the library render to its users.
3.3 Librarians shall never enter into business transactions prejudicial to the library, but
unwisely favorable to their own interest.
3.2. Librarians shall refuse all personal gratuities.

34. Conflict of interest
Librarians shall refuse gifts or favors from clients and library suppliers for personal
interest. They shall avoid using the library’s resources to the detriment of services
which the library render to its users. (Exactly the same as 4.4)
Librarians shall never enter into business transactions prejudicial to the library, but
unwisely favorable to their own interest. (Exactly the same as 3.3)
Librarians shall refuse all personal gratuities. (Exactly the same as 3.2)
From Peru Professional Code of Ethics:
Librarians shall choose suppliers and publishers exclusively on the basis of the quality of
goods, costs, and services. (exactly the same as 3.1 of the Philippines Code of Ethics)
Source: Library Codes of Ethics Worldwide: Anthology, pp. 149
https://books.google.com.ph/books/about/Library_Codes_of_Ethics_Worldwide.html?id=IqoN_CJzkQ0C&redir_esc=y

35. Equitable access to information and service
• 4.3 Librarians shall render impartial service
to all library users regardless of their race,
beliefs, age, gender, or social status.

36. I. 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.
The core mission of librarians and other information workers is to
ensure access to information for all…
Equitable access to information and service

37. Scenario
You are a public librarian working in a well-
funded city library. Political powers in your
community, however, place an emphasis on
getting high tech resources in your library
while ignoring the needs of your most
vulnerable citizens, the poor and
marginalized.
Would you rather spend public funds on
expensive ebooks than provide basic
resources and information for the poorest
patrons in your community?

38. 1.2 2. Librarians shall promote literacy and
education of the public by making the
resources and services of the library known
and accessible to its users.
Intellectual Freedom/Censorship

39. Intellectual Freedom/Censorship
II. We uphold the principles of intellectual freedom
and resist all efforts to censor library resources.
Librarians and other information workers reject the denial and
restriction of access to information and ideas most most
particularly through censorship whether by states, governments,
or religious or civil society institutions.

40. Scenario
You discovered that your library is the only one in
the consortium that has a copy of a controversial
book. In fact you have two copies, and both are
currently checked out. The book in question has
been challenged by some library patrons, who
recommended their removal from the shelf for fear
of the book’s potential harm to readers. Your
dilemma is • non-discriminating readers of the book
could face potential danger. On the other hand, if
you choose to remove a book that is obviously in
demand, you would then be censoring your
collection, and denying the rights of your other
users to intellectual freedom of access.

41. Illegal practice of librarianship
SECTION 23. Revocation and Suspension of Certificate of Registration and
Professional Identification Card or Cancellation of Temporary/Special
Permit.. – The Board has the power, after due notice and hearing, to
revoke or suspend the Certificate of Registration or cancel a temporary or
special permit of any librarian on any ground stated under Section 22 of
this Act, or for any of the following: unprofessional or dishonorable
conduct; practice of librarianship; fraud; deceit or falsification in obtaining
a certificate of registration, professional identification card, or
temporary/special permit; abetment of illegal practice by allowing illegal
use of his/her certificate of registration, or professional identification card,
or temporary/special permit; practice of profession during the period of
suspension; or any violation of this Act, its Implementing Rules and
Regulations, the Code of Ethics or the Code of Technical Standards for
Librarians, or Board policies.

42. Illegal practice of librarianship
2.3 Librarians shall not assist in the unauthorized practice of librarianship.
Under Section 23 of RA 9246 “abetment of illegal practice by allowing illegal use of
his/her certificate of registration, or professional identification card, or temporary/special
permit” is a ground for revocation…
Section 26. A person who does not have a valid Certificate of
Registration and Professional Identification Card or a temporary/special
permit from the Commission shall not practice or offer to practice
librarianship in the Philippines or assume any position, which involve
performing the function of a librarian as provided under Section 5 of
this Act.
SECTION 31. Employment of Librarians. – Only qualified and licensed librarians shall be
employed as librarians in all government libraries. Local government units shall be given a
period of three (3) years from the approval of this Act to comply with this provision.

43. Scenario
As Library Director, your function includes hiring
staff. Your library needs more licensed
librarians, and job ads have been posted to fill
the need. But despite months of advertising,
no licensed librarians have qualified for the
positions. Library service has been adversely
affected, and complaints from library patrons
and the administration have mounted.
Will you hire unlicensed librarians?

44. Unprofessional or dishonorable conduct

45. Unprofessional or dishonorable conduct
2. Librarians with Librarianship Profession
2.1 Librarians shall uphold the dignity and integrity of the profession
2.2 Librarians shall keep their reputation above reproach and shall so conduct
themselves to gain public esteem and respect for the library and for the
profession.
2.3 Librarians shall not assist in the unauthorized practice of librarianship.
2.4 Librarians shall treat each other with respect, courtesy, and sincerity and shall
avoid maligning the reputation, competence, and capability of their colleagues.
They shall not use any unfair means to gain professional advancement..
2.7 Librarians shall adhere to the principles of due process and equality of
opportunity in their relationship with fellow workers especially their colleagues.
2.8 Librarians shall maintain membership, participate and cooperate in the endeavors
of library association/s to enhance the effectiveness of the profession.

46. V. 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.
VI. We do not advance private interests at the expense of
library users, colleagues, or our employing institutions.
Librarians and other information workers treat each other with fairness and respect.
Librarians and other information workers share their professional experience with
colleagues and they help and guide new professionals to enter the professional
community and develop their skills. They contribute to the activities of their professional
association and participate in research and publication on professional matters.
Librarians and other information workers strive to earn a reputation and status based on
their professionalism and ethical behaviour. They do not compete with colleagues by the
use of unfair methods.
Unprofessional or dishonorable conduct

47. • All information professionals are obliged to report to
the Board or to the Court of Honor the conduct of
any member of the profession which undermines the
moral and ethical principles.
• Every offense committed against the terms of this
Code shall be punished…
• Penalties:
-Private reprimand for small misdemeanors
-Temporary suspension for one year for serious violations
-Expulsion for very serious offenses
Unprofessional or dishonorable conduct
Source: Nicaragua Code of Professional Ethics
Library Codes of Ethics Worldwide: Anthology, pp. 130-135

48. Scenario?

49. Should
• be easily accessible
• be easy to read and understand
• be short, concise, clearly written
• have generic examples of what constitutes
acceptable and unacceptable behavior
• have enforcement mechanism (state what will
happen if any provision is breached)
Code of Ethics for Librarians

50. Recommendations?
•Adopt a fixed set of core values as a
profession (Ideally these core values should be
listed in a professional code of ethics)
• Ethical education should start at library
schools and reinforced via CPE program with
frequent training and intensive professional
debates to make colleagues aware of ethical
obligations

51. Core Values (Universal)
• Access - Promotion of free
flow of information
• Preservation of recorded
human knowledge
• Respect for others
• Commitment to lifelong
learning
• Excellence in professional
service

52. famverzosa@yahoo.com
Questions ?

53. Thank you for listening!