Reading through this article titled “St Matthias librarian dupes parents, students"
from one of the popular news papers made me think about revisiting the code of
ethics for the information professions that was published by the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) and our own code of ethics that the
Zimbabwe Library Association (ZimLA) has put together to guide librarians and
related professionals. Honestly speaking no one is willing to report their case
if they are on the wrong side as seen in the article hyper linked above.
So
my fellow librarian as reported in the new article was collecting registration
fees from unsuspecting parents purporting to be doing it for the school he was
working for. He would also pocket
overdue fine for personal use and it is reported that quite a number of books
are missing from the school library. All these actions constitute misconduct
and would put the profession into disgrace.
According
to IFLA “The function of codes of ethics can be described as encouraging
reflection on principles on which librarians and other information workers can
form policies and handle dilemmas; improving professional self-awareness and
providing transparency to users and society in general.” ZimLA on the other
hand stipulated that the “purpose of this Professional Code of Conduct is to set
out the standards of professional conduct expected of members of ZimLA and to
indicate what matters may be regarded by the Disciplinary Committee as being
contrary to the aims, objects and interests of ZimLA or contrary to the
profession of librarianship, documentation, information, records and archival
management.” Basically the essence of the code of ethics is to provide a
guideline of conduct towards the community and the general awareness of what is
right and wrong. The wrongs will convict one while the right behaviour provide
stability in the work environment. The issues discussed in the article above
are a serious case of malpractice that put the profession into disrepute.
I am sure the librarian’s case is not an
isolated case. There might be more other cases happening in our communities
relating to librarians which are failing to reach ZimLA for appropriate
actions. ZimLA code of conduct and ethics item 2 sub-items 2.1 state
that “Members must not engage in conduct which may seriously prejudice the
standing and reputation of the library, documentation, information, records and
archival management professions or of ZimLA.” Such conduct may refer to the
conduct of the librarian report in the St Matthias case which includes working
outside your jurisdictions. Such behaviour becomes misconduct that should be
treated with appropriate measures. The constitution of ZimLA provide for
actions to be followed which include to appear before a Disciplinary Committee
and other actions are stipulated in the Code of Conduct and Ethics of the
Association.
However due to communication challenges, ZimLA
National Executive Council (NEC) could not have heard about this incident which
was supposed to have been reported to ZimLA Manicaland Branch and the branch
would then pass the information to NEC. Perhaps it comes back to us librarians
to show commitment to the Association so that it functions well. The
Association has a number of objectives it should action as given in the
constitution (the Association constitution) and only paid up members constitutes
the defined ZimLA membership. The drafting of the code of ethics is one such
objective that the Association has of which the branch is the watchdog for
implementation and to note cases of malpractice. The major stabling block is
the lack of a membership directory that should be maintained, but as
highlighted earlier that with no membership having such a directory is a
mammoth task.
The code of conduct and ethics by ZimLA in
section 7.3 state that “Members must report the facts to the National Secretary
if convicted of an offence involving dishonesty or one which brings the
profession into disrepute.” Well, I am not sure how many of us can do the
requirements of section 7.3. Honestly speaking no one is willing to report
their case if they are on the wrong side as seen in the article hyperlinked
above. The provision of this section might require revision to state that
“Institutions should report ZimLA members convicted of any offences that
involve dishonesty or which bring the profession into disrepute to ZimLA NEC.”
The matter of conduct in workplaces should be
sustained through training and advocacy. At this stage the Association has a
lot of work to establish the branches and special interest groups. Once this phase
is done I hope to see such trainings on ethics becoming an integral part of
ZimLA work to promote professional conduct and uphold competences.
