1 Members of the Association must conduct themselves
in such a way that their conduct would not be reasonably regarded by their professional
colleagues within the field of librarianship (including the provision of information
services) as serious professional misconduct or as professional misconduct. It is by this
overall test that the conduct will be judged.
2a Members must comply with the Charter and Bye-laws of the
Association and the provisions of this Code of Conduct;
b Members must not engage in conduct which may seriously
prejudice the standing and reputation of the library profession or of The Library
Association.
c Members must be competent in their professional
activities including the requirement
(i) to keep abreast of developments in librarianship in
those branches of professional practice in which qualifications and experience entitle
them to engage;
(ii) in respect of those members of the Association
responsible for supervising the training and duties of another librarian, to ensure that
those whom they supervise are trained to carry out their duties in a competent manner.
d Members’ primary duty when acting in the capacity of
librarian is to their clients, i.e. the persons or groups of persons for whose
requirements and use are intended the resources and services which the members are engaged
to provide. In all professional considerations the interests of the clients within their
prescribed or legitimate requirements take precedence over all other interests. It is
recognized that the persons or groups of persons to whom this duty is owed will vary
according to the nature of the employment which members undertake. In particular it is
recognized that different considerations will apply where members are working at a place
to which the public has right of access from those where they are working in an
environment where the public is excluded or given only limited access.
e In places to which the public has right of access, save
where the flow of information must be restricted by reason of confidentiality, members
have an obligation to facilitate the flow of information and ideas and to protect and
promote the rights of every individual to have free and equal access to sources of
information without discrimination and within the limits of the law.
f Members must fulfil to the best of their ability the
contractual obligations owed to their employer. However circumstances may arise when the
public interest or the reputation of the profession itself may be at variance with the
narrower interests of an employer. If it is found to be impossible to reconcile such
difference then public interest and the maintenance of professional standards must be the
primary considerations.
g Members should not knowingly promote material the prime
purpose of which is to encourage discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, creed,
gender or sexual orientation. It shall not be regarded as promoting such material to
divulge it for the purpose of studying the subject of that discrimination.
h (i) Members must not divulge or permit to be divulged any
materials, information or administrative record (in manual or electronic form) which has
been entrusted to them in confidence, to any third party nor use such information without
the prior consent of the client for any purpose other than that for which it was first
obtained. This duty to the client continues after the relationship of librarian and client
ceases.
(ii) Members are absolved from the duty set out in
sub-paragraph (i) above in so far as is required by law and in so far as it is necessary
to answer accusations before the Disciplinary Committee.
i Members’ actions and decisions should be determined
solely by their professional judgement and they should not profit from their position
otherwise than by normal remuneration or fee for professional services.
j Members must report the facts to the Secretary of The
Library Association if convicted of any offence involving dishonesty or one which brings
the profession into disrepute.
k Members must:
(i) respond to any requirements from the Disciplinary
Committee for comments or information on a complaint;
(ii) attend the committee proceedings when required to do
so, with such representation as is provided for in the Bye-Laws;
(iii) attend upon a nominated person for the purpose of
receiving guidance as to future conduct if required to do so.
3a Failure to comply with the requirements set out in
paragraph 2, including the requirements relating to competence may, if proved before the
Disciplinary Committee be regarded by it as serious professional misconduct and, if so,
shall render the member concerned liable to be expelled or suspended (either
unconditionally or subject to conditions) to be ordered to repay or forego fees and
expenses as appropriate, or to be reprimanded and/or to be ordered to pay the costs of the
hearing.
b Failure to comply with the requirements set out in
paragraph 2, which, in the opinion of the Disciplinary Committee, falls short of serious
professional misconduct may, if proved, render the member liable to be admonished or to be
given appropriate guidance as to his or her future conduct.
c The provisions of Bye-Laws 44-46 shall apply.
