In what way?

The conflict between the professional and personal values of library professional. There are many examples given in literature like: "a number of years ago, there was a debate within the profession about the book Final Exit, which is a guide to how to commit suicide. Should you have this book in your collection? What if someone wants to check it out? "

and A poor and bright student required a reference or text book for his/her next day exam. Rules do not allow you to issue the reference/text section book to issue the student/user. But your personal value system appealing you to help the needy students.

Could it be the case that the poor and bright student is not actually poor? If you are rich, do you get the reference book? I am having with this question. Librarians do not know the financial status of the patrons. Reference materials are typically not checked out because people need to have them readily available. Jan Vinita White, PhD

Dear Dr. Brar,

The issue you raised is sort of common for many of us who served in Libraries for years. In most cases, as I know of, priority goes to the Users' requirements and rules come close second! However, this varies with geographical variations. In foreign countries, seldom users approach for such issues as they understand that these are against the norms/rules. However, in our country such "informal approaches" seem to be normal mostly because resources are less and needs are more (& acute) in most cases/ places.

Personally speaking, during my service (in different institutions & in varied domains of subject specializations) I came across such incidents on several occasions in India. However, during my brief stints abroad, I had witnessed just one such approach which was however politely (yet firmly) declined by the concerned staff; never-the-less, some of the library people were visibly surprised as they have not expect such approach. It gave me the idea (or wisdom) that like seeds, such informal approaches too require requisite 'soils' to fertilize!!

Siddhartha S. Ray

Dear Dr. Ray

Thank you very much for your reply. I know all the library professional from India who have the positive attitude towards their users are facing these types of ethical tensions. I wanna to know the practical examples for these ethical dilemmas and the professionals' attitude towards solving these dilemmas for my present project on which i am working.

Once again Thank you for your response

Regards

Khushpreet

Dr. Khushpreet Singh Brar

Assistant Professor, DLIS

Panjab University, Chandigarh (India)

email: [email protected]

There are many cases related to Issue, reissue of book, fine on library material, etc. The Library professional specially from India and other developing countries are facing these issues everyday.

A man deep Kaur

Thank you very much for your response

Warm Regards