Reflections

When I began this class, I was half expecting fourteen weeks of copyright law. I was wildly mistaken. Instead we learned about the different ethical theories and the application of those theories. I learned that the same theory can be used to argue both for and against a particular ethical problem and neither party is necessarily wrong. I learned that ethical dilemmas can be found every day, in every library, if you know how to look. I even learned that library policies can be discriminatory to certain library patrons (whether they mean to be or not.) I learned that there are almost as many viewpoints on some topics as there are librarians. I learned the libraries and librarians are not all equal except for some very specific thoughts. I am not just talking about budget, but also polices and staff.

My topic was what the relationship should be between homeless populations and libraries. “What services can and should the library offer? Should we try to help or should we deny access? Should we give them library cards? How can we do that without proper identification and proof of address? Should we change our policies?” These were all questions I hoped to answer.  I learned that libraries have vastly different reactions to homeless patrons. Some try to help them through outreach programs and social workers. Other libraries try to drive them away with policies that could be considered discriminatory and stern enforcement. With each module, I learned that there is no clear-cut answer to my questions and that every library handles the idea a little differently. As I researched the materials for each part of my blog presentation, I learned that there are differences of opinion even in my own library and my own city. 

I found this class to be interesting and thought provoking. It made me think about myself and my project topic in ways I never had before. I found myself discussing some of the discussion questions and case studies with my co-workers to find out what they thought and felt about the various ideas and ethical theories.