Reference Services
Course
Ethical Considerations for Reference Practice [3:33]
- Learn the importance of maintaining patron confidentiality.
- Learn how to make sensitive topics more accesible to students and staff.
- Learn ways to teach students and staff how to use information responsibly.
All aspects of a patron's library experience must be carefully safeguarded in order to protect their privacy and confidentiality. No one except library staff and the patron should know about what topics they ask about in reference interviews or any books they have checked out. This includes teachers and administrators, as well. If your library makes use of student aides to provide any kind of reference service, ensure they receive adequate training on confidentiality. Be sure to check your state's laws to learn if there are people whom school librarians are required to share patron activity with, including law enforcement and parents. Also, many states include school librarians as mandatory reporters of child abuse or if the child is a threat to themselves or others.
While students and staff can visit the library to learn about anything, patrons may be embarrassed, or even fearful, to ask about resources covering sensitive subjects, including divorce, abuse, puberty, sexual orientation, or pregnancy. Intellectual freedom means students and staff have the right to explore any topic of interest. Librarians can help make these resources more accessible by sharing resource lists with school counselors, including them in displays, and dedicating part of the library website to credible online sources on these topics. This is particularly an area where librarians can work with school counselors to identify the most common needs in their school and create strategies to support the community together. And, when working with students, reassure them that their inquiries are confidential.
It is important for not only the librarian to follow laws concerning ethics of research, but also students and staff. Because of this, it is your job as the librarian to encourage the school community to be responsible in using information. Without direct instruction from a librarian or teacher, most students have little idea how to use information responsibly. Consider teaching lessons to students as well as providing professional development to staff about how to avoid plagiarism, properly citing sources, and guidelines for what is fair use of copyrighted documents. When showing resources to students, point out the location of information they will need to cite the resource properly. Being upfront with students and staff about intellectual property laws, such as copyright, allows everyone to use information safely and responsibly.
Librarians must consider the ethical implications of information when helping students and staff. This includes keeping requests confidential, determining the best ways to make resources available, and making sure everyone knows how to use information responsibly. The great news is that there are several websites and books available to help you support your school community in these ways. To find out more information about research and professional ethics in your area, do an online search of your state's department of education website. By staying current on changing laws and best practices for research and reference, students and staff will use information legally and confidently.
Your role as a librarian goes far beyond providing the answers to reference questions or performing reference interviews to determine what your students are looking for. The role of keeping your students and staff, and their information, safe, is also part of your role. Review the SLC article in the Resources below, as well as the American Library Association's Code of Ethics and then search your state's Department of Education website for state-specific conduct standards (both found in Resources below) and then complete the Reflect & Practice activity below.
American Library Association Code of Ethics. https://www.ala.org/tools/ethics
U.S. Department of Education, State Contacts and Information. https://www2.ed.gov/about/contacts/state/index.html
From maintaining patron confidentiality, handling sensitive topics, and supporting ethical research practices, how are you protecting your students? After taking a look at the American Library Association's Code of Ethics and reviewing your own state's Department of Education ethics standards, use the chart found on page 6 of the Course Packet (found in the Resources above) below and take a moment to reflect on items you are doing well and those you need to improve upon.
MLA Citation
"Reference Services: Ethical Standard of Service." School Library Connection, October 2020, schoollibraryconnection.com/Content/Course/2270055?learningModuleId=2270025&topicCenterId=2247902.
Entry ID: 2272374
All aspects of a student's visit to the library must be safeguarded. As a librarian, it is your job to ensure that patron privacy is respected and maintained. Intellectual freedom allows students to research and explore any topic they have an interest in. Where do you draw the line? When do you consider reporting a student's topics? Who do you report it to? Review the SLC articles in the Resources below and then complete the Reflect & Practice activity.
American Association of School Librarians. "Position Statement on the Confidentiality of Library Records." 2012. http://www.ala.org/aasl/advocacy/resources/position-statements/library-records.
American Library Association. "Questions & Answers on Privacy and Confidentiality, Section IV, Minors' Privacy Rights." 2012. http://ifmanual.org/privacyqa.
When working with students, it is crucial that they feel that their confidentiality is protected and they are safe to ask their questions. There are several resources found in the articles above, some you may already be using and others may prove useful for you in your library. After reviewing these articles, use the chart found on page 7 of the Course Packet (found in the Resources above) to reflect on how well you are securing your patron's privacy and any things you can improve on to make sure each student knows that their inquiries are confidential.
MLA Citation
"Reference Services: Patron Privacy." School Library Connection, October 2020, schoollibraryconnection.com/Content/Course/2270055?learningModuleId=2270025&topicCenterId=2247902.
Entry ID: 2272377
Additional Resources
About the Author
MLA Citation
Grover, Rachel. "Reference Services. Ethical Considerations for Reference Practice [3:33]." School Library Connection, ABC-CLIO, October 2020, schoollibraryconnection.com/Content/Course/2270055?learningModuleId=2270025&topicCenterId=2247902.
https://schoollibraryconnection.com/Content/Course/2270055?learningModuleId=2270025&topicCenterId=2247902
Entry ID: 2270055