The new CILIP ethics framework Reworked and refreshed ethical principles launched on October 11th New framework the product of an extensive project that examined and reformulated the existing principles Framework is now fit for purpose for the 21st century library and information worker

CILIP’s mandate Royal Charter mandates CILIP to “represent and act as the professional body for persons working in or interested in library and information services” Mandate extends to maintenance of a Professional Knowledge and Skills Base (PKSB) on behalf of the sector. Ethical Principles and Code of Professional Practice at its heart

Responding to a rapidly changing profession Library & information profession changing rapidly and significantly in response to digital disruption and wider trends Information professionals increasingly part of an embedded workforce working across the public, private and 3rd sector This recognition prompted the need to review our ethical principles

Ethics Review Review launched in May 2017 Overseen by CILIP’s Ethics Committee, chaired by Dawn Finch New Framework approved by CILIP Board in September 2018

Examining the key issues The Ethics Review examined: How professional ethics are currently operating within the profession How aware the profession is of the ethical principles The extent to which the principles reflect the wider range of professional contexts Whether the principles play an active and positive role in the development of the profession The interaction between professional ethics of individuals and institutional ethics

Methodology Big Conversation on social media Survey - 1556 responses 12 workshops all over the UK Ethics Summit

Marshalling the evidence Landscape of major workplace and professional issues expressed in the surveys, workshops and social media Digest of comments on each of the ethical principles Survey findings confirmed existing ethical principles should form basis of a new Ethical Framework but in an amended form. Segmented data allowed the committee to better understand exactly what library and information workers were looking for in their ethical principles.

Key findings from the survey and workshops 89% survey respondents have values and ethical principles they wish to see upheld within the information profession Values built up through a personal code or from the CILIP’s Ethical Principles and Code of Professional Practice

Work-based issues Privacy Censorship Funding Copyright Volunteers Barriers to accessing information Standards and skills Employment related issues 76.79% respondents thought a professional ethical framework should help in addressing these issues.

Ethics Summit   Top level Ethical Framework presented to summit participants. They recommended: Streamlined ethical principles Reordering of the points so priorities could become clearer. Greater clarification of key elements Further explanatory materials and supporting documents

Intended outcomes of the project Increased awareness of, and engagement with the ethical principles by library and information professionals. Increased relevance and applicability across a wide range of sectors Clarify the role of CILIP as steward of the principles on behalf of the profession Consider the role of sanctions for violations of the principles. A majority of these outcomes and deliverables have been achieved!

Top-Level Ethical Framework: Design Principles Fewer Shorter More direct language Easy to remember Build on existing principles – continuity Include important values even if not prominent in consultation Beware of fashion – enduring values Explicit commitment of individual information professionals Framework to support professional judgment when tackling difficult issues

Top-Level Ethical Framework: What’s Changed? Fewer principles using more direct language Express commitment from individual information professionals required New section expressing CILIP commitments Ethics and values are a whole profession matter Ethical conduct of individual professional contributing to greater whole Mutual responsibility to deliver New ethical principle on information literacy Shorter Code of Professional Conduct – code focuses more on general behaviours rather than specifically information profession values

Commitment to Professional Ethics by CILIP Members As an ethical Information Professional I make a commitment to uphold, promote and defend: Human rights, equalities and diversity, and the equitable treatment of users and colleagues The public benefit and the advancement of the wider good of our profession to society Preservation and continuity of access to knowledge Intellectual freedom, including freedom from censorship Impartiality and the avoidance of inappropriate bias The confidentiality of information provided by clients or users and the right of all individuals to privacy The development of information skills and information literacy

Code of Professional Conduct At all times I will work to uphold and advance: The reputation of the profession The currency and relevancy of my skills Engagement with, and learning from, colleagues, my professional bodies, and those in other related professions Integrity in the management of information, human and financial resources

CILIP’s Commitments I expect my professional body to support me in this by upholding promoting and defending: Human rights Equalities and diversity Information governance and practice that protects the privacy of individuals The value of information professionals’ work to government, employers and other key stakeholders The contribution of information professionals to the public benefit The provision of excellent information services, relevant to the needs of all members of society The development of balanced and fair open access and copyright systems Continued…

CILIP’s Commitments continued And by advocating for: Changes to regulation and legislation to advance good information services and ethical practice Intellectual freedom, including freedom from censorship And by supporting: CILIP members in their continuing professional development CILIP will act as steward of the Ethical Framework and support its embedding in professional life

The Ethics Hub You will find the new Ethical Framework and supporting resources at: www.cilip.org.uk/ethics

Thank you! Any questions? Dawn Finch [add details]