IFLA’s Committee on Freedom of Access to Information and Freedom of Expression (FAIFE) developed the collection of links. What you’ll find is “collection of professional guidelines for librarians and other library employees adopted by national library or librarians associations or implemented by government agencies.” Links to about 40 guidelines are available.
Direct to the Code of Ethics Collection
Another page on the FAIFE portion of IFLA (International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions) web site that was posted today has additional background including:
Related professions like archivists and museum professionals do have international codes of ethics. For many years ICA (International Council of Archives) and ICOM (International Council of Museums) have developed, endorsed, and maintained their international codes of ethics for archives and museums respectively, while IFLA and librarians still do not have a similar document.
Although both international Codes of Ethics have a different function, as well as a different status, for ICA and ICOM it appears that they have proved their worth in each community.
This was one of the reasons why FAIFE took the decision to task a working group with drafting such an International or IFLA-Code of Ethics for Librarians. The working group consists of 5 members from 5 countries who are members of the FAIFE committee. In addition, outside experts have been included in the discussions. Now the group is able to present a first draft which still has to be revised. But it is time now to start an open discussion.
A link to send comments to is included at the bottom of this page.
Direct to the Code of Ethics Collection
About Gary Price
