Information Ethics: Combating Information Age

Reading Assignment #2 (July 11, 2009)


Source:
Carbo, Toni and Stephen Almagno. "Information Ethics: The Duty, Priviledge and Challenge of Educating Information Professionals". Library Trends 49, no. 3(2001). Retrieved on July 10, 2009 from
http://www.ideals.uiuc.edu/bitstream/handle/2142/8351/librarytrendsv49i3j_opt.pdf?sequence=1


Abstract

This article describes the history and evolution of information ethics at the University of Pittsburgh. It addresses the need for an information ethics program designed for information professionals for them to understand what ethics is and how to make sound ethical decisions in their professional lives and in the workplace. It describes the course and the course's three components: 1) addressing the reason and need for moral instruction and ethical reflection; 2) the necessary steps for facing up to and resolving a moral dilemma; and 3) ethical issues in librarianship, information technology, and management. Integrating four components into the program: a course, lecture series, web site and fellow professionals.

Lesson learned:

• Information professionals must first learn to develop and hone their own individual sense of ethics, live an ethical life and be educated about ethical issues in the workplace.
• Knowing how to create, find, manage, access, preserve, and use information effectively gives a sense of power or control to information professional.
• Courses on information ethics must be part of the education of information professionals. These should provide an understanding of ethical theories and how they apply to concrete practical cases and should also make explicit connection between information ethics and the mission of the library professional.
  

REFLECTION
Everyday we are confronted with issues related to information access and use that may involve balancing individual and societal needs. Issues like protecting both an individual's privacy and public's right to know. As a librarian, it is important to know what are the issues and concerns of the library in order for us to know how to deal and resolve issues without compromising our values and beliefs. We have to stand our grounds and not to be easily swayed with cultural differences and with existing traditions in the workplace and conflicts in our own individual values with issues related to libraries. And we should have good working knowledge of information ethics in order to deal with ethical issues effectively.