Ethics And Values In Librarianship: A History Hardcover

Wallace C. Koehler

Ethics and Values in Librarianship: A History examines the development of and changes to library and information science through practice and the writings of library and information theorists and practitioners from Varro during the reign of Julius Caesar to the present. It documents technological and social changes that have had foundational implications for the information professions. The author argues that ethical standards may be redefined over time and new standards may emerge, older precepts and newer ones coexist. He also demonstrates that while specific ethical standards never disappear, they are not static. They change both to specific application and in order of emphasis among other standards. For example, Sir Thomas Bodley prohibited the lending of books from the Oxford library to protect the collection from damage and theft. While this early notion of stewardship has given way to service, stewardship nonetheless remains a core principle of the profession. Topics covered include the freedom of expression; intellectual freedom; libraries and democracy; intellectual property, copyright, and fair use; and professional qualifications and credentialing. The book is not only a history, but also suitable for use in foundational courses as well as courses in information and library ethics.

1442254262

English

Rowman & Littlefield

1 December 2015

292

Dr. Wallace Koehler recently retired as the (founding) director of the LIS Program at Valdosta State University (VSU) in Georgia. He was on the VSU faculty for thirteen years. Before VSU, he was on the faculty of the University of Oklahoma. He is now professor emeritus at VSU. Dr. Koehler holds a MS from the University of Tennessee and a Ph.D. from Cornell University. His research interests include information ethics and bibliometrics. His contributions to the bibliometric literature include analyses of the life cycle of web documents. He is among the first to publish in that area. His research into information ethics includes codes of ethics and professional organizations as well as surveys of practitioners in a number of countries. He is the coauthor (with June Lester) of two editions of Fundamentals of Information Studies: Understanding Information and Its Environment.

In his book, Ethics and Values in Librarianship: A History, Wallace Koehler provides a thoughtful overview of library philosophy and history, focusing on our ethical perspectives. . . .[The book] is a dense and thought-provoking work that's full of historical insight and perspective. It will provide practicing librarians with much food for thought. . . .Students, library theorists, and practitioners will all find valuable insights here. * Information Today * This ambitious and provocative book studies the origin and likely future of libraries and librarianship.... This is a readable and interesting book with important messages and exhaustive footnoting. Anyone interested in the history and future of librarianship, particularly its ethics and values, will need to read this book. * ELAN: Ex Libris Association Newsletter * This is an excellent study of the ethics and values of the information world, which identifies key themes and lays out all the relevant arguments about them with a strong historical focus. It will be helpful to those, including students, looking at problems focusing on the library in the community. * Library & Information History * An extremely thorough analysis of the history of ethics and values in librarianship by Wallace Koehler, who has been publishing in this field for the past 30 years.... The book could be used as core reading in library schools as each chapter brings its own ethical questions.... While focusing on the historical context, this book is also extremely up-to-date. The chapter on censorship and freedom of speech does not fail to mention the Charlie Hebdo event. There is also an impressive analysis of the digital revolution and ethics with quotes from Luciano Floridi. * Library and Information Research * The intellectual and philosophical foundations of Western librarianship are discussed with verve and depth in Library Values and Ethics: A History. Dr. Wallace Koehler engages with sweeping concepts spanning works from polymath Marcus Terentius Varro (116 BC - 27 BC) to the digital revolution and ethical infosphere in the twenty-first century as examined by Luciano Floridi . Library Values and Ethics: A History is required reading for students and information workers who wish to understand the theoretical development of librarianship. -- Kathleen de la Pena McCook, Distinguished Professor of Librarianship, School of Information, University of South Florida In the words of the Elvis Presley song, 'It takes a big man to wear big boots'. Information ethics are a big pair of boots and Wallace Koehler proves he's a big enough man to wear them. He walks us around an extensive literature from Library Science and various philosophical domains showing a sure tread and a firm, consistent sense of direction. This book will be a welcome resource for librarians and students for many years to come. -- Paul Sturges, Emeritus Professor, Loughborough University, UK, and Chair of IFLA Freedom of Access to Information and Freedom of Expression Committee 2003-2009 Wallace Koehler's book on the history of information ethics brings together the small but growing body of literature that traces the historical development and evolution of information and professional ethics. The wide ranging topics and reference to issues and context far beyond libraries makes the book appealing to disciplines far beyond libraries. It also serves as a bridge between the library field and other fields interested in information technology and its ethical implications for information. -- Dick Kawooya, Assistant Professor, School of Library and Information Science, University of South Carolina