Code of Ethics for Registered Librarians

(UPDATE 2 as of April 20, 2007)

Prof. Corazon M. Nera, Chair of the Board for Librarians (BFL) was the guest speaker during the PLAI-STRLC sponsored forum entitled "Continuing Professional Education for Librarian" held last April 18, 2007 at the Lyceum of Batangas, Batangas City. She shared about the importance of CPE to around 60 participants and mentioned that there is a newly approved Code of Ethics for Librarians. Below is the complete transcript of the Code of Ethics for Librarians as provided by Prof. Nera minus the logo of Professional Regulation Commission(PRC) for your information and guidance.

*Note: There is also an old version entitled Code of Ethics for Registered Librarians found in the IFLA webpage which was approved by PRC in the City of the Manila the 14th of August 1992 (Resolution No. 02 08 1992) for comparison.

Republic of the Philippines

PROFESSIONAL REGULATION COMMISSION

Manila

BOARD FOR LIBRARIANS

Resolution No. _06_
Series of 2006

CODE OF ETHICS FOR LIBRARIANS

WHEREAS, Sec. 8 (h), Article II of R.A. No. 9246, known as the “Philippine Librarianship Act of 2003,” and Sec. 8 (h), Rule II of Res. No. 05, Series of 2004, known as the “IRR of the Philippine Librarianship Act of 2003”, empower the Board to adopt and prescribe a Code of Ethics for Librarians;

WHEREAS, since May, 2004 the Board had consulted on the prescription, adoption and promulgation of this Code with the Philippine Librarians Association, Inc. (PLAI) and other different professional library associations including the CHED, the academe, and other entities, private and public;

WHEREAS, the final draft of this Code had been submitted by the Board to the foregoing associations and sectors for their comments and recommendations before the final adoption thereof; and

WHEREAS, any Registered Librarian who violates the said Code, after due hearing in an administrative case conducted by the Board against him/her, shall be subject to the disciplinary action of either the revocation of his/her certificate of registration or suspension thereof (Sec. 11 (i), Art. II; Sec. 23, Art. III of R.A. 9246; and Sec. II (i) and (m) of Rule II and Sec. 23, Rule III of Res. No. 05, Series of 2003);

NOW, THEREFORE, the Board resolves, as it is hereby resolved, to prescribe, adopt, and promulgate the “Code of Ethics for Librarians” appended and marked as “Annex “A” and made an integral part of this Resolution;

RESOLVED, FURTHER, this Resolution shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its full and complete publication in the Official Gazette or any newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines.

Let copy of this Resolution be circularized through the schools / colleges / universities offering the librarianship course to the users thereof for their information and guidance.

Done in the City of Manila this _13^th_ day of _Sept._ 2006.

(Sgd.) PERLA T. GARCIA
Chairman

(Sgd.) CORAZON M. NERA	(Sgd.) ELIZABETH R. PERALEJO
Member	Member

Attested:

(Sgd.) CARLOS G. ALMELOR
Secretary, Professional Regulatory Boards

Approved:

(Sgd.) LEONOR TRIPON-ROSERO
Chairperson

(Sgd.) AVELINA A. DE LA REA	(Sgd.) RENATO B. VALDECANTOS
Commissioner	Commissioner

SRB-LIB
PTG/CGA/Ela/code of ethics for librarians.doc

Annex “A”

“CODE OF ETHICS FOR PHILIPPINE LIBRARIANS”

PREAMBLE

Librarians, mindful of their role in the development of knowledge and culture and the enrichment of people’s lives, seek the highest standards of ethical behavior in their relations with their schools, their clients/employers, the librarianship profession and colleagues, agencies and associations and the public.

1. Librarians with the State, Society and Public

1. Librarians shall uphold the Constitution, obey the laws of the land, and respect duly constituted authorities.
   

2. Librarians shall promote literacy and education of the public by making the resources and services of the library known and accessible to its users.

3. Librarians shall uphold and promote the right to information as well as abide by the provisions of the intellectual property law.
   

4. Librarians shall be partners with the community they serve in inculcating nationalism practicing Filipino values and preserving the country’s historical, cultural, and intellectual heritage.
   

2. Librarians with Librarianship Profession

1. Librarians shall uphold the dignity and integrity of the profession

2. Librarians shall keep their reputation above reproach and shall so conduct themselves to gain public esteem and respect for the library and for the profession.

3. Librarians shall not assist in the unauthorized practice of librarianship.

4. Librarians shall treat each other with respect, courtesy, and sincerity and shall avoid maligning the reputation, competence, and capability of their colleagues. They shall not use any unfair means to gain professional advancement.

5. Librarians shall strive to improve, enhance, and upgrade their professional knowledge, skills, and competencies through formal and informal means.

6. Librarians shall endeavor to uphold the highest standards in the practice of the profession. They shall adopt and live by this motto: C A N I - Constant and Never-ending Improvement of the quality and standards of professional services.

7. Librarians shall adhere to the principles of due process and equality of opportunity in their relationship with fellow workers especially their colleagues.

8. Librarians shall maintain membership, participate and cooperate in the endeavors of library association/s to enhance the effectiveness of the profession.

9. Librarians shall participate and cooperate in all the endeavors of library association/s to enhance the effectiveness of the profession.

10. Librarians shall be vigilant in the protection of all library resources placed under their care.

11. Librarians shall be entitled to a just and fair fee for consultancy and other professional services.

3. Librarians with the Suppliers, Publishers, Dealers, etc.

1. Librarians shall choose suppliers and publishers exclusively on the basis of the quality of goods, costs, and services.

2. Librarians shall refuse all personal gratuities.

3. Librarians shall never enter into business transactions prejudicial to the library, but unwisely favorable to their own interest.

4. Librarians with the Clients and/or other Users of their Professional Services.

1. Librarians shall provide courteous, prompt, adequate, skillful and accurate responses to all requests for assistance.

2. Librarians shall keep in confidence, information acquired in the course of professional service. They shall protect the client’s right to privacy with respect to information sought or received and materials consulted, borrowed, or acquired through the library.

3. Librarians shall render impartial service to all library users regardless of their race, beliefs, age, gender, or social status.

4. Librarians shall refuse gifts or favors from clients and library suppliers for personal interest. They shall avoid using the library’s resources to the detriment of services which the library render to its users.
   

DISCIPLINARY ACTION

A Registered Librarian who is found guilty for violation of any provision in this Code by the Board after his/her investigation shall be subject to a disciplinary action of either revocation of his/her Certificate of Registration or suspension thereof which the Board shall impose thereto after his/her due investigation.

SEPARABILITY CLAUSE

Any provision or portion of this Code that the Court may declare as not constitutional, not valid, or not enforceable shall not affect the constitutionality, validity, and enforceability of other provisions thereof.

Done in the city of Manila this 13^th day of Sept. 2006