Librarians and ethical neutrality: revisiting the creed of a librarian

McMenemy, D. (2007) Librarians and ethical neutrality: revisiting the creed of a librarian. Library Review, 56 (3). pp. 177-181. ISSN 0024-2535 (http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/00242530710735948)

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Abstract

The articles aims to discuss whether in an age of misinformation on the Internet, calls for censorship, continuing ethnic and religious conflict throughout the world, librarians can be ethically neutral in all service encounters with patrons.As a review paper, it approaches the topic from a discussion of current trends in the profession vs the historical text in question. Finds that although Foskett posited theories that proposed a strengthening of the professional practice of librarianship, his ideas could be criticised in the modern era for placing ethical neutrality above responsibility to society, as suggested by Hauptman. Yet such criticism needs to be tempered with the notion that a profession must represent a set of values, and Foskett's call for the profession to embrace a philosophy of practice remains an important point for modern librarians.

ORCID iDs

McMenemy, D. ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3203-9001;
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)