ETHICS FOR LIBRARIANS - A NARROW VIEW

Offers a definition of ethics for librarians, inspired by recent conce rns in the USA about the Code of Ethics (1981) of the American Library Association (ALA) and by examination of other codes of ethics, such a s that produced by the Library Association, UK, and the writings of li brarians and ethicists. Argues that much of this ethical codifying has been made redundant by changes in the definition of the library profe ssion, but defines those situations where a code of ethics can be usef ul: collection development; reference services; equal treatment of lib rary users; and aspects of profit taking on the part of librarians. Co ncludes with notes on the revision of the 1981 Code of Ethics, adopted by the ALA on 28 Tune 95, comparing the 2 codes and noting the differ ences where applicable.