Case Studies in Library and Information Science Ethics

This valuable book, written specifically for library and information science professionals, presents 125 case studies that combine theories of ethics and librarianship with practical, real-life scenarios. After an introduction to ethics in library and information science, chapters are devoted to ethical issues in five categories: intellectual freedom, privacy, intellectual property, professional ethics, and intercultural information ethics.
Each chapter has a theoretical introduction to the issue under consideration followed by 25 case studies, each of which includes its own set of discussion questions. Perfectly suited to classroom use, these case studies help bridge the complicated gap between students, academics, and practitioners in the field by promoting critical thinking and responsible action.
Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here.

Elizabeth A. Buchanan is associate professor and director of the Center for Information Policy Research, School of Information Studies, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Kathrine A. Henderson is a Research Analyst, Research & Intelligence Team at LibSource, An LAC-Group Company.

Elizabeth A. Buchanan and Kathrine A. Henderson
Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 175
Bibliographic Info: bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2009
pISBN: 978-0-7864-3367-4
eISBN: 978-0-7864-5314-6
Imprint: McFarland

Acknowledgments      vii

Foreword by Robert Hauptman     1

Preface     5

1. Ethics in the Library and Information Studies Profession     9

2. Intellectual Freedom      23

3. Privacy      46

4. Intellectual Property      71

5. Professional Ethics      95

6. Intercultural Information Ethics by Rafael Capurro      118

Epilogue      159

Index      161

“Includes ethics case studies in library and information science. Designed for students in a library or information science graduate program.”—Library Journal; “thoroughly well-done…a great analysis of librarianship’s current problems. The authors have taken great pains to present timely and well-done cases”—ARBA; “interesting”—The Australian Library Journal.