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.
Who pointed out that society judges a profession by its individual members?
Johan Bekker
Understanding Professional Ethics in Librarianship
The question asks about a specific point made in the provided passage: who stated that society judges a profession by its individual members? To find the answer, we need to carefully read the passage and identify the person associated with this statement.
Analyzing the Passage for Key Information
The passage discusses the development of a new code of ethics for librarianship, referencing figures and organizations involved in this effort. It mentions Le W. Finks and the ALA's actions in the 1990s regarding ethics. The passage then introduces another perspective:
- Le W. Finks wrote about the need for a new ethics code in 1991.
- The ALA developed a code in 1995.
- Finks believed the code must be substantial, not just a hollow statement.
- The code should reflect historical values and focus on professional work performance.
- The passage states, "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."
This sentence directly attributes the statement about society judging a profession by its individual members to "Johan Bekkar".
Evaluating the Options
Let's look at the provided options based on our reading of the passage:
- Johan Bekker: The passage explicitly states, "as Johan Bekkar points out, since society judges a profession by its individual member..." This matches the statement in the question. (Note: The passage spells it "Bekkar", the option spells it "Bekker". We will proceed based on the name mentioned in connection with the quote).
- ALA: The ALA is mentioned as having created a code of ethics, but the passage does not attribute the statement about societal judgment to the ALA as an organization.
- Lee W. Finks: Lee W. Finks is mentioned as advocating for a new code of ethics and discussing its necessary characteristics, but the specific statement about societal judgment by individual members is not attributed to him in this passage.
- Johan Finks: This name combines parts of "Johan Bekkar" and "Lee W. Finks" and is not mentioned in the passage.
Based on the direct information presented in the passage, the statement that society judges a profession by its individual members is attributed to Johan Bekkar.
Detailed Analysis of the Answer
The passage clearly links the idea that societal judgment of a profession is based on its individual members to Johan Bekkar. This idea is used in the passage to emphasize why a clearly defined set of ethical standards is crucial for all members of the profession, particularly librarians and information professionals.
Understanding this point highlights the importance of individual ethical conduct in maintaining the reputation and credibility of the entire profession of librarianship.
| Mentioned Entity | Contribution/Statement in Passage | Attributed Statement in Question? |
|---|---|---|
| Lee W. Finks | Wrote about need for new ethics code; thesis on code's substance | No |
| ALA | Created an ethics code in 1995 | No |
| Johan Bekkar | Pointed out society judges profession by individual members | Yes |
| Johan Finks | Not mentioned | No |
Revision Table: Key Concepts in Librarianship Ethics
| Concept | Description as per Passage | Importance |
|---|---|---|
| Code of Ethics | A set of principles/convictions for librarians and information professionals. Must be substantive, not just for show. | Guides professional conduct; reflects historical values. |
| Professionalism | Performing work in a way that aligns with ethical principles and standards. | Crucial for maintaining the integrity and reputation of the profession. |
| Societal Judgment of Profession | Society evaluates a profession based on the actions of its individual members. | Underpins the need for all members to follow ethical standards. |
| Ethical Issues (Selection/Intellectual Freedom) | Areas like selecting materials and ensuring intellectual freedom require careful consideration by librarians. | Central to the librarian's role in providing access to information. |
| Intellectual Freedom | Hinges on the assumption that individuals choose their inquiry path. Requires librarians to remain neutral. | Fundamental principle allowing access to all perspectives. |
| Librarian Neutrality | Required professional conduct; setting aside assumptions/prejudices to provide information clients request. | Ensures unbiased access to information and supports intellectual freedom. |
| Social Obligation | The fundamental principle underlying librarianship: allowing access to all perspectives. | Core mission of librarianship; tied to intellectual freedom and neutrality. |
Additional Information: The Significance of Ethical Codes in Professions
Ethical codes are vital for any profession. They serve multiple purposes:
- Guidance: They provide clear guidelines for professional conduct, helping members navigate complex situations.
- Public Trust: A strong code of ethics helps build and maintain public trust in the profession.
- Accountability: Codes often include mechanisms for addressing unethical behavior.
- Professional Identity: They define the core values and principles that underpin the profession.
- Self-Regulation: Professions often use codes of ethics as a form of self-regulation, which can prevent the need for external government regulation.
In librarianship, the code of ethics is particularly important because of the profession's role in facilitating access to information and protecting intellectual freedom. Librarians are often faced with decisions related to censorship, privacy, and equitable access, where a strong ethical framework is essential.
The idea, mentioned by Johan Bekkar (or Bekker), that society judges a profession based on its individual members, underscores the collective responsibility that each librarian holds. Every interaction, every decision, contributes to how the public perceives the entire field of librarianship. Therefore, adherence to the ethical code is not just a personal matter but a professional obligation that impacts the credibility and effectiveness of the profession as a whole.
Important Questions from Library & Information Profession
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?
In which year, did ALA develop 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
