Information ethics for twenty‐first century library professionals

Abstract

PurposeTo provide an introduction to concepts and resources that will be useful to library professionals learning about information ethics.Design/methodology/approachThis paper argues for the importance of information ethics to twenty‐first century library professionals. It describes what various authors have said about how information ethics can be applied to the ethical dilemmas faced by library professionals.FindingsIn order to deal effectively with their ethical dilemmas, library professionals must have a good working knowledge of information ethics. Codes of professional ethics can help to provide such knowledge, but they are not sufficient. Courses on information ethics must be part of the education of information professionals. Such courses should provide library professionals with an understanding of ethical theories and how they apply to concrete practical cases. Such courses should also make explicit the connection between information ethics and the mission of the library professional.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper is not intended to provide an exhaustive list of publications on the topic of information ethics and library professionals.Originality/valueThis paper provides library professionals with a concise introduction to information ethics.