ANTAEUS “Do mention the war”

Abstract

PurposeThis paper aims to explore the relationship between library and information management principles and defence and national security.Design/methodology/approachAn opinion piece based on viewpoints from speakers at the 2007 American Library Association conference held in Washington DC, and on recent US writings on US foreign and defence policy. Findings – That there is a verifiable relationship between library and information management principles and defence and national security. But the exact nature of this relationship is open to dispute, which therefore presents important challenges in professional ethics to librarians. Research limitations/implications – It is impossible to define the moral parameters of professional ethical issue in the abstract. Reflective and sophisticated analysis of ethical issues in the particular contemporary context is an ongoing requirement of LIS research.Practical implicationsIt is important for a fully rounded professional to see the relevance of larger moral, political and social issues to the narrower sphere of their professional practice. Originality/value – This paper gives a starting point for the analysis of information principles in terms of the most recent developments in the international political arena.