[Web4lib] [web4lib] survey on library website third partyanalytics privacy concerns

[Robert L. Balliot]

I agree with both of you. If library schools do their job correctly, they will graduate people who have internalized professional ethics. But ALA has no authority beyond that. There is no penalty for failure to abide by professional ethics. ALA does not disbar or sanction based on ethics.

David is right that ALA does not sign the paychecks and many, many librarians have been faced with doing what they know is right professionally or doing what is politically expedient. So the easiest thing to do might just be to go along to get along. However, with each erosion of ethical standards the professional as a whole loses its credibility.

On the other hand, Roy's stance as an employee of OCLC that sells services to libraries is really not the same as someone who is on the front lines of library services.  It is pretty easy to commit to professional ethics when you are never challenged and your commitment to professional ethics helps to sell your services.  I know lots of hawks who are all for war, especially when they are not the ones who serve.

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Robert L. Balliot
Skype: RBalliot
Bristol, Rhode Island
http://oceanstatelibrarian.com/contact.htm
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-----Original Message-----
From: web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Roy Tennant
Sent: Monday, August 30, 2010 10:46 AM
To: David -; web4lib at webjunction.org
Subject: Re: [Web4lib] [web4lib] survey on library website third partyanalytics privacy concerns

On 8/30/10 8/30/10 € 6:34 AM, "David -" <davidslistservs at yahoo.com> wrote:

> Leaving aside the immediate issue of privacy, who cares what the ALA's code of
> ethics or bill of rights says about anything?...
> 
> Sure, the ALA occasionally has good ideas.  But it doesn't sign our paychecks
> or 
> fund our libraries.  Our governing bodies do, and theirs are the only opinions
> that matter.

I'm sorry to hear you feel that way. I a librarian first, and an employee
second. I am in this profession because I believe in its values and ethics,
and I have pledged to uphold them. Not with my hand on a bible, but with
ethical conduct day in and day out. If I were to give that up to keep my
job, then I would violate not just the professional code of ethics, but my
own. I'd prefer to find another job.
Roy


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