Ethics


Code of Ethics of the American Library Association

 

 

 

As members of the American Library Association, we recognize the importance of codifying and making known to the profession and to the general public the ethical principles that guide the work of librarians, other professionals providing information services, library trustees and library staffs. 

 

Ethical dilemmas occur when values are in conflict. The American Library Association Code of Ethics states the values to which we are committed, and embodies the ethical responsibilities of the profession in this changing information environment. 

 

We significantly influence or control the selection, organization, preservation, and dissemination of information. In a political system grounded in an informed citizenry, we are members of a profession explicitly committed to intellectual freedom and the freedom of access to information. We have a special obligation to ensure the free flow of information and ideas to present and future generations. 

 

The principles of this Code are expressed in broad statements to guide ethical decision making. These statements provide a framework; they cannot and do not dictate conduct to cover particular situations.

 

  1. We provide the highest level of service to all library users through appropriate and usefully organized resources; equitable service policies; equitable access; and accurate, unbiased, and courteous responses to all requests.
  2. We uphold the principles of intellectual freedom and resist all efforts to censor library resources.
  3. We protect each library user's right to privacy and confidentiality with respect to information sought or received and resources consulted, borrowed, acquired or transmitted.
  4. We respect intellectual property rights and advocate balance between the interests of information users and rights holders.
  5. We treat co-workers and other colleagues with respect, fairness, and good faith, and advocate conditions of employment that safeguard the rights and welfare of all employees of our institutions.
  6. We do not advance private interests at the expense of library users, colleagues, or our employing institutions.
  7. We distinguish between our personal convictions and professional duties and do not allow our personal beliefs to interfere with fair representation of the aims of our institutions or the provision of access to their information resources.
  8. We strive for excellence in the profession by maintaining and enhancing our own knowledge and skills, by encouraging the professional development of co-workers, and by fostering the aspirations of potential members of the profession.

 

 

Adopted by the ALA Council, January 22, 2008. http://www.ala.org/ala/oif/statementspols/codeofethics/codeethics.cfm

 

State of Alaska Code of Ethics of the Education Profession (1)

  

 

 

20 AAC 10.010.  COVERAGE.

 

 

All members of the teaching profession (as defined in AS 14.20.370) are obligated to abide by the code of ethics and the professional teaching standards adopted by the Professional Teaching Practices Commission. 

 

(Repealed 01/30/75)

  

Authority: AS 14.20.480 

 

 

20 AAC 10.020.  CODE OF ETHICS AND TEACHING STANDARDS.

(a) The following code of ethical and professional standards governs all members of the teaching profession. A violation of this section is grounds for discipline as provided in AS 14.20.030 

 

 

(b) In fulfilling obligations to students, an educator:

 

 

(1) repealed 10/25/2000; 

 

(2) may not deliberately distort suppress, or deny access to curricular materials or educational information in order to promote the personal view, interest, or goal of the educator;

 

(3) shall make reasonable effort to protect students from conditions harmful to learning or to health and safety;

  

(4) may not engage in physical abuse of a student or sexual conduct with a student and shall report to the commission knowledge of such an act by an educator;

 

(5) may not expose a student to unnecessary embarrassment or disparagement;

  

(6) may not harass, discriminate against, or grant a discriminatory advantage to a student on the grounds of race, color, creed, sex, national origin, marital status, political or religious beliefs, physical or mental conditions, family, social, or cultural background, or sexual orientation; shall make reasonable effort to assure that a student is protected from harassment or discrimination on these grounds; and may not engage in a course of conduct that would encourage a reasonable student to develop a prejudice on these grounds;

  

(7) may not use professional relationships with students for private advantage or gain;

  

(8) shall keep in confidence information that has been obtained in the course of providing professional service, unless disclosure serves a compelling professional purpose or is required by law;

  

(9) shall accord just and equitable treatment to all students as they exercise their educational rights and responsibilities.

 

 

 

(c) In fulfilling obligations to the public, an educator:

  

(1) repealed 10/25/2000;

  

(2) shall take reasonable precautions to distinguish between the educator’s personal views and those of any educational institution or organization with which the educator is affiliated;

  

(3) shall cooperate in the statewide student assessment system established under 4AAC 06.710-4 ACC 06.790 by safeguarding and maintaining the confidentiality of test materials and information;

  

(4) repealed 10/25/2000; 

 

(5) may not use institutional privileges for private gain, to promote political candidates, or for partisan political activities;

  

(6)  may not accept a gratuity, gift, or favor that might influence or appear to influence professional judgment, and may not offer a gratuity, gift, or favor to obtain special advantage; 

 

(7) may not knowingly withhold or misrepresent material information in communicating with the school board regarding a matter before the board for its decision; and

  

(8) may not use or allow the use of district resources for private purposes not related to the district programs and operation.

 

 

(d) In fulfilling obligations to the profession, an educator:

  

(1) may not, on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, age, national origin, marital status, political or religious beliefs, physical condition, family, social or cultural background, or sexual orientation, deny to a colleague a professional benefit, advantage, or participation in any professional organization, and may not discriminate in employment practice, assignment, or personnel evaluation; 

 

(2) shall accord just and equitable treatment of all members of the profession in the exercise of their professional rights and responsibilities; 

 

(3) may not use coercive means or promise special treatment in order to influence professional decisions of colleagues; 

 

(4) may not sexually harass a fellow employee; 

 

(5) shall withhold and safeguard information acquired about colleagues in the course of employment, unless disclosure serves a compelling professional purpose;

  

(6) shall provide, upon the request of the affected party, a written statement of specific reasons for recommendations that led to the denial of increments, significant changes in employment, or termination of employment; 

 

(7) may not deliberately misrepresent the educator’s or another’s professional qualifications; 

 

(8) repealed 10/25/2000; 

 

(9) may not falsify a document, or make a misrepresentation on a matter related to licensure, employment evaluation, test results, or professional duties; 

 

(10) may not intentionally make a false or malicious statement about a colleague’s professional performance or conduct;

  

(11) may not intentionally file a false or malicious complaint with the commission; 

 

(12) may not seek reprisal against any individual who has filed a complaint, provided testimony or given other assistance in support of a complaint filed with the commission; 

 

(13) shall cooperate fully and honestly in investigations and hearings of the commission; 

 

(14) repealed 10/25/2000;

  

(15) may not unlawfully breach a professional employment contract; 

 

(16) shall conduct professional business through appropriate channels; 

 

(17) may not assign tasks to unqualified personnel;

  

(18) may not continue in or seek professional employment while unfit due to (A) use of drugs or alcohol that impairs the educator’s competence or the safety of students or colleagues; (B) physical or mental disability that impairs the educator’s competence or the safety of students or colleagues;

  

(19) may not interfere with a colleague’s exercise of political or citizenship rights and responsibilities

 

 

 

(Eff. 1/30/75, Register 53; am 8/10/80, Register 75; am 6/16/84, Register 90; am 8/5/90, Register 115; am 7/21/91, Register 119; am 7/28/94, Register 131; am 4/8/99, Register 150; am 10/25/2000, Register 156) 

 

Authority:

  AS 14.20.030

 

(a)

 

AS 14.20.370 

 

AS 14.20.450

  

AS 14.20.460

  

AS 14.20.480

 

 

 

20 AAC 10.030. MORAL TURPITUDE. For the purpose of AS 14.20.030

 

(a)(2), 

 

(1) “moral turpitude” means conduct that is wrong in itself even if no statute were to prohibit the conduct; and

  

(2) a crime involving moral turpitude includes:

  

            (A) homicide; 

 

            (B) manslaughter; 

 

            (C) assault;

  

            (D) stalking;

  

            (E) kidnapping;

  

            (F) sexual assault; 

 

            (G) sexual abuse of minor; 

 

            (H) unlawful exploitation of a minor; 

 

            (I) robbery;

  

            (J) extortion;

  

            (K) coercion;

  

            (L) theft; 

 

            (M) burglary; 

 

            (N) arson; 

 

            (O) criminal mischief; 

 

            (P) forgery; 

 

            (Q) criminal mischief;

  

            (R) forgery;

  

            (S) criminal impersonation; 

 

            (T) bribery; 

 

            (U) perjury;

  

            (V) unsworn falsification 

 

            (W) jury tampering; 

 

            (X) terroristic threatening 

 

            (Y) possession or distribution of child pornography; 

 

            (Z) unlawful distribution or possession for distribution or possession for distribution of a  controlled substance 

 

            (AA) unlawfully furnishing alcohol to a minor. (Eff 4/8/99, Register 150) 

 

            (BB) felony possession of a controlled substance.  (History:  Eff. 4/8/99, Register 150; am 12/25/2005, Register 176) 

 

 Authority:

  AS 14.20.030 

 

AS 14.20.450

  

AS 14.20.460

  

 

 

20 AAC 10.900. DEFINITIONS: In this chapter,

(1) “sexual conduct” includes solicitations for sex; explicit sexual jokes and stories; discussion of the educator’s sexual feelings or activities; discussion, outside of a professional teaching or counseling context, of a student’s sexual feelings or activities; and ‘sexual penetration’ and ‘sexual contact’ as those terms are defined in AS 11.81.900 (j). 

 

(2) “physical abuse” is an action beyond reasonable discipline that results in an adverse physical effect upon a student.

 

 

PTPC Regs (Eff. 10/25/00) 

 

Revised May 2000

  

 


(1) This brochure is reprinted with the permission of the Alaska State Professional Teaching Practices Commission.