Parliament is on a summer break until late September. This month’s policy update provides information about CFLA’s Code of Ethics, highlighting the foundational principle of access to information and supporting content related to censorship, neutrality and misinformation.
What is the purpose of a Code of Ethics?
A code of ethics describes values and expected behaviours to promote consistent practice in a profession or organization. A code of ethics outlines the commitments and responsibilities of individuals who are part of a group. In introducing the IFLA Code of Ethics for Librarians and Other Information Workers, IFLA describes librarianship as an ethical activity embodying a value-rich approach to professional work with information.
What is the foundation of the Code of Ethics for CFLA?
Article 19 of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights sets out the right to “seek, receive and impart information and ideas in any media and regardless of frontiers.” Enabling this right to access information is the core mission of librarians and information workers, whether that is for the purpose of personal development, education, cultural enrichment, leisure, economic activity or informed participation in and enhancement of democracy.
What are our obligations related to censorship?
The Code of Ethics establishes that we must reject the denial and restriction of access to information and ideas, most particularly through censorship, whether by states, governments, religious or civil society Institutions.
What are our obligations related to access and accessibility?
Librarians and other information workers should endeavor to offer access to collections and services free of cost to the user, to promote and publicize collections, and to make material accessible to all, including complying with international and local standards for accessibility.
How is information literacy described?
The Code of Ethics identifies a principle of offering services to increase reading skills and to promote information literacy including the ability to identify, locate, evaluate, organize, create, use and communicate information. It also includes promoting the ethical use of information to eliminate plagiarism and other forms of misuse of information.
How does the Code of Ethics deal with bias and neutrality?
The Code of Ethics identifies a commitment to neutrality and an unbiased stance regarding collections, access and services, in order to achieve a balanced collection and balanced access to information. It requires distinguishing between personal convictions and professional duties, and recognizes a right to free speech in the workplace provided it doesn’t infringe on the principle of neutrality towards users.
What else is covered in the Code of Ethics?
Other sections of the Code of Ethics include privacy, transparency, open access, copyright, relationships with colleagues, and providing equitable service regardless of a library user’s characteristics.
When was the CFLA Code of Ethics established?
CFLA’s Board passed the Code of Ethics in August 2018. However, the text is from the IFLA Code of Ethics, approved by the IFLA Governing Board in August 2012. The IFLA Code of Ethics built on the work of library associations around the world.
When will CFLA review the Code of Ethics?
IFLA’s Freedom of Access to Information and Freedom of Expression Committee is undertaking a review of the Code of Ethics in 2026-2027. Following IFLA’s review, the CFLA Board will consider whether to undertake a review. We anticipate discussing ethics at the CFLA policy forum in 2027.
Scope of Future Monthly Updates
The scope of CFLA-FCAB policy news updates will be national policy that affects the delivery of library services, issued by the federal government through legislation or significant decisions. We’ll also include international policy activities through IFLA that affect Canada, such as UN organization statements or new IFLA policies, and national library policy, such as metadata standards. Updates will include statements or communication from CFLA on the topic, and resources from member associations when relevant.