Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow. In 1991, Le W Finks wrote about the need for librarianship to develop a new code of ethics. In 1995, the ALA did just that. A perusal of the code leads to the conclusion that perhaps not all of his concerns were incorporated. Essential to Finks thesis is the belief tahat a code of ethics for librarians and information professionals must not be a hallow statement written to satisfy the public library boards. It must embody the principles and conviction that librarians have historically considered of value, and should "Focus on the way we don our work and whether or not we perform in a way that can honestly be called professional". Furthermore, as Johan Bekkar points out, since society judges a profession by its individual member, all members must follow a clearly defined set of ethical standards. In particular ethical issues related to selection of materials and intellectual freedom should be carefully considered by librarians. Intellctual freedom hinges on the assumption that individuals choose the path their inquires take but this is often a false assumption. Professional codes require librarians to remain neutral and to provide the information a client request. Librarians should set aside their assumption and prejudices to make sure they won't destroy the fundamental principle that underlies librarianship: the socail obligation to allow access to all perspectives.
In which year, did ALA develop the code of ethics?
1995
Understanding the ALA Code of Ethics Timeline
The question asks about the specific year when the American Library Association (ALA) developed its code of ethics, based on the provided passage about librarianship and ethical standards.
Let's carefully read the passage to find the relevant information. The text mentions the need for a new code of ethics and then states:
In 1991, Le W Finks wrote about the need for librarianship to develop a new code of ethics. In 1995, the ALA did just that.
This sentence directly tells us that "the ALA did just that" (developed a new code of ethics) in the year 1995.
The passage highlights the importance of this code, stating it "must embody the principles and conviction that librarians have historically considered of value" and focus on professionalism and ethical conduct, particularly regarding intellectual freedom and material selection. It emphasizes that the code should not be merely a superficial statement.
Therefore, based on the clear statement in the passage, the ALA developed the code of ethics in 1995.
Step-by-Step Analysis
- Read the question: Identify that the question asks for the year ALA developed the code of ethics.
- Scan the passage for keywords: Look for "ALA," "code of ethics," "develop," and years.
- Locate the relevant sentence: Find the sentence "In 1995, the ALA did just that," which follows the mention of the need for a code of ethics.
- Interpret the sentence: Understand that "did just that" refers to developing the code of ethics.
- Identify the year: Note the year mentioned in that sentence is 1995.
This confirms that the year the ALA developed the code of ethics, according to the passage, is 1995.
| Year | Event Mentioned in Passage |
|---|---|
| 1991 | Le W Finks wrote about the need for a new code of ethics. |
| 1995 | The ALA developed the code of ethics. |
The passage clearly links the development of the code by the ALA to the year 1995.
Revision Table: Key Concepts from the Passage
| Concept | Description from Passage |
|---|---|
| Code of Ethics for Librarianship | Needed to embody historical principles and convictions; should focus on professional conduct. |
| Intellectual Freedom | A fundamental principle of librarianship; often relies on a potentially false assumption about individual inquiry choices. |
| Neutrality of Librarians | Professional codes require librarians to remain neutral and provide requested information. |
| Social Obligation of Librarianship | To allow access to all perspectives; central principle that librarians must uphold by setting aside assumptions/prejudices. |
Additional Information: The Role of Ethics in Librarianship
Ethical codes are crucial for professions like librarianship because they provide a framework for professional behavior and decision-making. As highlighted in the passage, the ethical standards of librarianship, such as protecting intellectual freedom and ensuring access to diverse information, are fundamental to serving the public good.
- Intellectual Freedom: This is a core value, ensuring that users can access information representing all points of view without censorship. Librarians play a vital role in upholding this principle.
- Professionalism: An ethical code helps define what it means to act professionally, guiding librarians in their daily work, interactions with patrons, and collection development decisions.
- Public Trust: Adhering to a clear set of ethical standards builds trust with the community, assuring them that the library and its staff are committed to providing fair and unbiased access to information.
The development of the ALA Code of Ethics in 1995, as mentioned in the text, was a significant step in formalizing these long-held values and providing clear guidance for library professionals.
Important Questions from Library & Information Profession
Who pointed out that society judges a profession by its individual members?
Who should set aside their assumption and prejudices to make sure they won't destroy the fundamental principles?
Which of the following is essential to 'Finks' thesis?
Who wrote about the needs for the code of ethics?
Given below are two statements, one is labeled as Assertion A, and other one labeled as Reason R
Assertion A: In the present online environment, there is no need for librarians to evaluate reference sources on the web.
Reason R: There are publications that help librarians to select and evaluate the reference collection for a particular library in print or online.
In light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below
