2007SummerQ1

Question #1
We live in a country that consists of many people of different backgrounds, cultures, values, and preferences. From the core values statement of the American Library Association, we read:

“ALA recognizes its broad social responsibilities. The broad social responsibilities of the American Library Association are defined in terms of the contribution that librarianship can make in ameliorating or solving the critical problems of society; support for efforts to help inform and educate the people of the United States on these problems and to encourage them to examine the many views on and the facts regarding each problem; and the willingness of ALA to take a position on current critical issues with the relationship to libraries and library service set forth in the position statement.”

In addition, we read, “We value our nation's diversity and strive to reflect that diversity by providing a full spectrum of resources and services to the communities we serve.”

From the ALA code of ethics we read, “We provide the highest level of service to all library users through appropriate and usefully organized resources; equitable service policies; equitable access; and accurate, unbiased, and courteous responses to all requests.

Why is valuing diversity important to the information professional?

How can an information professional promote behaviors that comply with the above values and ethics?