The ethics of library resource sharing in the digital age
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to outline ethical implications of the practical challenges facing resource sharing practitioners in the digital age.
Design/methodology/approach
The author presents an overview of major ethical challenges related to digital resource sharing using a framework of four key ethical theories: justice as fairness; utilitarianism; rights theory; and common good theory.
Findings
When administrators, publishers, lawmakers, or the public dictate policies and rules that are inconsistent with librarian values and norms, librarians should turn to ethical reasoning in defense of their work.
Social implications
Resource sharing practitioners everywhere will find the ethical theories useful when presented with questions related to user access to information.
Originality/value
Library managers charged with development and assessment of resource sharing policies and practices will benefit from this paper.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Received 6 March 2012. Accepted 13 March 2012. Published with the kind permission of IFLA, www.ifla.org/ This paper was originally presented at the IFLA 12th Interlending and Document Supply Conference held in Chicago, 19-21 September 2011.
Citation
Posner, B. (2012), "The ethics of library resource sharing in the digital age", Interlending & Document Supply, Vol. 40 No. 2, pp. 119-124. https://doi.org/10.1108/02641611211239614
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2012, Emerald Group Publishing Limited