The Ethics of Library Resource Sharing in the Digital Age

     Librarians operate from an established ethical framework that may work against them, especially in dealing with digital materials. Beth Posner (2012), in a paper that was presented at the IFLA 12th Interlending and Document Supply Conference, presented moral arguments through which librarians can navigate the ethical implications of resource sharing in the digital age. These moral arguments are anchored on the following ethical theories: justice as fairness, utilitarianism/consequentialism, rights theory/deontology, and common good theory. Ethical issues arising in the practice of resource sharing of digital materials in the library setting can be analysed through these ethical theories.

Three Points

     1. Choosing to go green.
     2. Choosing to be fair.
     3. Choosing to serve.

     Choosing to go green. Resource sharing becomes easy when it comes to digital materials,which inevitably means a lesser carbon footprint for this particular library activity. Choosing a greener alternative to interlibrary loan/information sharing is for the common good. B. Posner argued that publisher demands for licensing compliance in order to limit online access is outweighed by the fact that the environmental impact of doing so benefits everyone.

     Choosing to be fair. Library policies and rules help to ensure that the library's mandate is met in the best possible way. Specifically, rules and policies on resource sharing need to reflect the principle of fairness. This means that differently abled clients need to have the same access to information as any other library client. This also means that access to computers or electronic reading devices need to be provided in order to provide fair service to library clients who do not have access to these. No library client should be made to feel disadvantaged because information sharing has gone digital.

     Choosing to serve. The cost for subscribing to or purchasing digital materials, oftentimes, is higher than the cost of its printed version. To defray cost, libraries join consortia. However, ironing details for resource sharing in library consortia is not an easy thing to take on. The end result though is that library clients with information needs are served.

Implications

     The face of library service has changed with the rise of technological developments. With this, the demand for an ethical library service is redefined. The access and use of digital materials need to be addressed by fair library policies and rules which reflect our changing realities.
     This means that I need to be an ethical librarian--aware of the implications of the use of digital materials as well as the questions arising from the sharing of the same. Although, I would love that everybody would have access to these wonderful mines of information, the rights of the authors and the publishers are a major consideration too.

Reference

Posner, B. (2012). The ethics of library resource sharing in the digital age. Interlending & Document 
     Supply, 40 (2), 119-124. doi: 10.1108/02641611211239614

p.s.

In the same article, B. Posner mentioned the ALA's Library Bill of Rights, the eBook User's Bill of Rights, and a Readers' Bill of Rights for Digital Books. All of which are interesting links to visit and read.