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Ethical Treatment of Deceptive Works in the Library

Aron Cox

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Published in Text Lies And Cataloging: Ethical Treatment Of Deceptive Works In The Library

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The library has always been a place of trust. We trust that the books we find there are accurate and reliable. We trust that the librarians who help us are knowledgeable and helpful. And we trust that the library itself is a safe and welcoming environment.

But what happens when that trust is broken? What happens when we find out that a book we've been reading is full of lies? Or that a librarian has been stealing books from the collection? Or that the library itself is a front for a criminal organization?

Text, Lies and Cataloging: Ethical Treatment of Deceptive Works in the Library

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4661 KB
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Print length	:	166 pages

These are the kinds of questions that are explored in the new book Ethical Treatment of Deceptive Works in the Library. This book is a collection of essays by leading scholars in the field of library science, and it offers a comprehensive overview of the ethical issues that libraries face when dealing with deceptive works.

What is a Deceptive Work?

A deceptive work is any work that contains false or misleading information. This can include books, articles, websites, and even works of art. Deceptive works can be created intentionally or unintentionally, and they can have a wide range of consequences.

Some deceptive works are simply harmless. They may contain minor errors or omissions, but they do not pose a serious threat to readers. Other deceptive works, however, can be much more dangerous. They may contain harmful misinformation, or they may be used to promote dangerous ideologies.

The Ethical Issues of Deceptive Works

Libraries have a long history of dealing with deceptive works. In the early days of the library, it was common for people to donate books that were full of false information. This was often done for political or religious reasons.

Today, deceptive works are still a problem for libraries. However, the advent of the internet has made it easier than ever for people to create and disseminate false information. This has led to a new wave of ethical challenges for libraries.

Libraries must now grapple with the following questions:

* How can we identify deceptive works? * What should we do when we find a deceptive work in our collection? * How can we protect our patrons from being misled by deceptive works?

Identifying Deceptive Works

Identifying deceptive works can be difficult. There is no single definitive test that can be used to determine whether a work is deceptive. However, there are a number of red flags that librarians can look for.

Some of these red flags include:

* Errors of fact: Deceptive works often contain errors of fact. These errors may be minor or they may be major. * Bias: Deceptive works are often biased. The author may present only one side of an issue, or they may use language that is designed to persuade readers to agree with their point of view. * Lack of documentation: Deceptive works often lack documentation. The author may not provide sources for their claims, or they may provide sources that are unreliable.

What to Do When You Find a Deceptive Work

If you find a deceptive work in your library collection, you should take the following steps:

* Remove the work from circulation. The first step is to remove the deceptive work from circulation. This will prevent patrons from being misled by the work. * Contact the author. If possible, you should contact the author of the deceptive work. You should let them know that you have found errors in their work and that you have removed it from circulation. * Notify your patrons. You should notify your patrons that you have found a deceptive work in your collection. You should let them know why you have removed the work from circulation and what they can do if they have any questions.

Protecting Patrons from Deceptive Works

Libraries can take a number of steps to protect their patrons from deceptive works. These steps include:

* Educating patrons. Libraries can educate patrons about deceptive works. They can teach patrons how to identify deceptive works and how to avoid being misled by them. * Providing access to reliable information. Libraries can provide access to reliable information. They can stock their collections with books and articles that are written by experts and that are based on sound research. * Working with other organizations. Libraries can work with other organizations to combat deceptive works. They can partner with schools, universities, and other community organizations to provide education and resources about deceptive works.

The ethical treatment of deceptive works is a complex issue. There are no easy answers. However, libraries have a responsibility to protect their patrons from being misled by deceptive works. By taking the steps outlined in this book, libraries can help to ensure that their collections are accurate and reliable and that their patrons are well-informed.

Additional Resources

* [The American Library Association's Code of Ethics](https://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/censorship/codeofethics) * [The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions' Statement on Intellectual Freedom](https://www.ifla.org/publications/intellectual-freedom-statement) * [The Association of College and Research Libraries' Statement on the Responsibility of Academic Libraries to Provide Access to Information](https://www.ala.org/acrl/standards/statements/access)

Text, Lies and Cataloging: Ethical Treatment of Deceptive Works in the Library

4 out of 5