IFLA Code of Ethics for Librarians and other Information Workers (full version)

Abstract

The Code of Ethics for Librarians and other Information Workers, posted on the IFLA official website, is offered as a series of ethical propositions for the guidance of individual librarians, as well as other information workers. It can also serve as a model reference document for consideration of National associations when creating or revising their own Codes of ethics. There are described the functions of Codes of Ethics: Encouraging reflection on principles on which librarians and other information workers can form common ethical standards, rules and policies; Improving professional self-awareness; Providing transpa-rency and openness to users and society in general. In the Preamble there are set forth the basic principles of the Code. The document includes the following sections: Access to information; Responsibilities towards individuals and society; Privacy, secrecy and transparency; Open access and intellectual property; Neutrality, personal integrity and professional skills; Colleague and employer/ employee relationship. For further study of the question there is provided a number of literary sources.