This post is the first part of a two-part series of items I’m sharing from the third session of my course, “Deconstructing the Low-Morale Experience in Academic Libraries,” which was offered via Library Juice Academy in January 2020.
Patricia shares an endorsement of her course mates along with her response to the course’s last assignment, which encourages attendees to share ideas for reducing abuse/negligence and increasing humaneness, support, and civility in their workplaces.
What follows is shared with permission from Patricia – please note the CC license that follows her work.
Most of what I have learned and experienced in the past year, including from members of this class, has strengthened me as a person and my belief in public service… (Thank you all.) The organization I am part of is a valuable and worthwhile one, though also but one part of a much larger world, and I am a valuable part of it, not to be treated lightly nor to treat others so. The statements below suggest how to maintain self-worth and professional, public-oriented values.
A Personal Code of Professional Integrity
(based on the ALA Code of Ethics)
Patricia Brown
I. Provide a calm working environment to all, with accurate, unbiased, courteous, and professionally appropriate responses to all requests.
II. Exercise professional consideration toward workers, and resist all efforts to reduce, suborn, or censor library resources (including budgets).
III. Protect and advocate for privacy, respect, and confidentiality.
IV. Respect intellectual differences among co-workers, and advocate balance between the needs of information users and the constraints of technical services and vendors.
V. Treat co-workers and others with respect, fairness, and good faith, and expect the same fair treatment. Advocate conditions of employment that safeguard the welfare of all employees of our institutions.
VI. Do not advance private interests at the expense of library users, co-workers, or public institutions. Similarly, encourage upper administration to embody the institution’s publicly stated mission.
VII. Distinguish between professional responsibilities and personal preferences; do not allow conflicting personalities or beliefs to interfere with the work of the library.
VIII. Practice ethical librarianship by using all our knowledge and skills, by encouraging professional interaction, and by remembering that co-workers are all human beings who benefit from the exercise of respect and consideration for each other–and for themselves.
Patricia Brown