1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

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

7. 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.

8. 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

9. 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.

10. 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

11. 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!

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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…

17. 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

18. The Ethics Hub
You will find the new Ethical Framework and supporting resources at:

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