Ways in Which I have Modeled Ethical Practices

Ethics- Treating Co-Workers with respect

The library must be a place where the librarian, and any volunteers or helpers are warm, welcoming and inviting to any of its users. Staff members are a large part of this user population. This means offering a friendly face to the ELA teacher when they walk in to their class, and taking a moment to ask how they are.

One event, in particular that allowed me an opportunity to build relationships with fellow staff members was when my librarian and I hosted a “Visit the Library” event with books on display and hot chocolate and pastries. This not only created a welcoming place for staff, but also allowed an opportunity for fellowship that does not usually occur. I found myself having never-before-had conversations with teachers about their favorite books, and favorite book genres

Ethics- Upholding principles of Intellectual freedom

In my first semester at UNT, I taught a lesson on intellectual freedom to my girls class. In it, I highlighted books that have been banned due to certain topics. I will never forget how upset they were. Some students asked, “what is wrong with that book? I grew up reading it?” while others took offense because “how can they ban a LGBTQ book when there are LGBTQ kids in middle school that need to be able to read theses books?” I have since not taught this lesson, nor have I taught a lesson on banned books, but I plan to carefully incorporate this very real concern in the library profession with my future students. Students deserve to be represented in the books they see and read in the library

Ethics- Encouraging Professional Development of Co-workers

For Black History Month, I found some webinars on race for fellow teachers. These ranged in conversations about upcoming book from Ibram Kendi, Four Hundred Souls and a candid conversation about race from author Jason Reynolds. I posted the information about these events in the library with beautifully designed posters along with QR codes. I look forward to doing more when I get my first library job.

Ethics- Enhance diversity and inclusion

For on of my practicum tasks, I was to create a mock book list to purchase. In this book list, I was to create a mock budget (1000) and select books with at least two favorable reviews. The topic that my mentor and I decided upon was the theme of social emotional learning or SEL. I selected books that ranged from characters dealing with emotion to mental health to grief. This project was important for me because students will come into my library that have a range of needs and with a range of experiences. They will need books and resources to see themselves in and relate to. This both validates their experience as well as allowing bibliotherapy where they can

ethics- accurate, unbias and courteous responses to all requests

The final lesson I taught in the library was all about Summer Reading and learning. In our district, the school library does not circulate during the summer, with books being due by students a few weeks before the end of school. With this in mind, students need access to books and resources. Therefore, my presentation mostly focused on the resources offered by the Plano Public Library. In my presentation, I highlighted not only the library collection, but resources such as Libby, take and makes, steam kits, Virtual book club and book reading challenges. During one presentation, there were a few kids who proclaimed they did not read and were not going to read over the summer break. However, when I mentioned the steam kits, hands shot up in the air, “Does every library have steam kits?” “What about the Richardson Public LIbrary (neighboring library), do they have them” “Are there steam kids about such and such topic?” While it is personally bothersome that so many students have such a negative attitude toward reading, it was wonderful that there was something that they were interested in. The way I modeled courteous responses to these queries were doing my detective work. I called Richardson Public Library and found out that, no they do not offer steam kits, but offer steam events, but no, not for teens, for elementary grades. When I went back to school, I found the kiddos who asked these questions and gave them their answers.

LBOR VII – protect people’s privacy

One of the tasks of practicum is to utilize the library automation system to make overdue notices. It was modeled for me that at the beginning of the week, run reports on their overdue books. This needs to happen when the librarian expects to see a student, whether during their grade level library visit or otherwise. From here, notices are written out, folded, taped and hand delivered to the student. They are folded and taped to secure the information of what book they have checked out. Each school in the district also has the option to make automated calls home informing the parent that there is an overdue book. Even in this case, the parent is not informed of the title of the book. This is to protect the privacy and confidentiality of the student.

references

American Library Association. 2006, June 30, Library Bill of Rights http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill. Document ID: 669fd6a3-8939-3e54-7577-996a0a3f8952

American Library Association. 2021, June 29. Professional Ethics. https://www.ala.org/tools/ethics