Every Day Library Ethics

In response to requests for training opportunities by the University Libraries’ Library Support and Paraprofessionals Roundtable, the library hosted a workshop entitled, “Everyday Library Ethics.”  The workshop was presented by Pat Wagner, educator, professional trainer and coach.  Pat has been working with librarians and library associates as a trainer and consultant since 1978, focusing on personnel, management, leadership, marketing, career and strategic planning issues.  In addition to her work with libraries, Pat also consults with library boards, foundations, Friends groups, and national, state and regional library organizations, as well as universities, schools, nonprofits, local government and professional organizations.

The workshop was funded by a PLAN Academy @ Your Library grant via the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA).  The workshop was made accessible to the greater FAMU community, as well as other libraries within the region.

The workshop was very interesting and informative.  Pat Wagner engaged the audience in conversation and facilitated interaction among the participants. Pat helped us to grapple with issues such as:

• What are ethics? 
• Is being fair the same as being nice? 
• Protecting the privacy of students and faculty
• Transparency in decision making
• Equal access and Fair treatment for everyone
  

We learned that Everyday Library Ethics means more than just being above board in awarding contracts.  Everyday Library Ethics means acting with integrity, eliciting the best from everyone you meet, adding to productivity by paying attention and taking initiative, behaving in a manner that is pleasing to those you love, taking the high road-forgetting personal differences and earning public trust, giving others the benefit of the doubt, and more importantly, knowing that one’s actions have greater consequences even when not in a library setting.

Most of the participants emerged from this workshop with greater purpose and eagerness to apply lessons learned.  During group discussions topics emerged that could possibly be the focal point of future workshops.

Alvin L. Lee

March 29, 2013