The Library Code of Ethics was created by the

American Library Association The American Library Association (ALA) is a nonprofit organization based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally. It is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with 49,727 members ...

(ALA). The document is a guideline for

librarians A librarian is a person who works professionally in a library providing access to information, and sometimes social or technical programming, or instruction on information literacy to users. The role of the librarian has changed much over time, ...

and other library associates on how to uphold the values that

libraries A library is a collection of Document, materials, books or media that are accessible for use and not just for display purposes. A library provides physical (hard copies) or electronic media, digital access (soft copies) materials, and may be a ...

symbolize.Martin, A. M. (2009). Leadership: Integrity and the ALA Code of Ethics. Knowledge Quest, 37(3), 6-11. It currently includes nine core principles that "are expressed in broad statements to guide ethical decision making". The Code was created in 1939 and since has been updated four times. The Code of Ethics was first amended in 1981 and then again in 1995 and 2008. The most current version was accepted by the ALA on June 29, 2021. .A common thread within the various Code of Ethics focuses on the significance of

intellectual freedom Intellectual freedom encompasses the freedom to hold, receive and disseminate ideas without restriction. Viewed as an integral component of a democratic society, intellectual freedom protects an individual's right to access, explore, consider, and ...

and the dangers of

censorship Censorship is the suppression of speech, public communication, or other information. This may be done on the basis that such material is considered objectionable, harmful, sensitive, or "inconvenient". Censorship can be conducted by governments ...

. The changes between the different versions of the Code include the language used and input. In the 1939 and 1981 Code of Ethics some the language included statements such as "librarians must" and "librarians will".American Library Association. (2014)
History of the ALA Code of Ethics
. Retrieved 2014-06-08. The 1995, 2008, and 2021 versions of the Code have different rhetoric. Older versions of the Code use words such as "we as librarians" because many librarians were able to input their concerns and ideas and this language implies a statement of fact. The most recent amendment was codified in 2021, the Social and Racial Justice subgroup of the Committee on Professional Ethics (COPE) in collaboration with groups within the ALA, including the Office for Diversity, Literacy, and Outreach Advisory Committee, the Committee on Diversity, and the Intellectual Freedom Committee, added a ninth principle addressing ethics regarding racial and social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion. You can find the full, current version of the ALA's Code of Ethics on the organization's website.

References

External links

International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) is the leading international body representing the interests of people who rely on libraries and information professionals. An independent, non-governmental, not-for-p ...

(IFLA)
Professional Codes of Ethics for Librarians
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(ALA)
American Library Association Professional Ethics and Code of Ethics

Code of Ethics of the American Library Association
Ethical codes American Library Association {{US-org-stub