Librarians Behaving Badly - Codes of Conduct or Free Speech Handcuffs?

At the end of 2013, the Twitterverse was all alight, just like a beautifully decorated Christmas tree, but for some in the Library world, all was not so jolly. What would seem to be a much-needed and long overdue gift by some, was looked at by some as a huge lump of coal by others. The role of the head Grinch here was played by Will Manley, noted columnist for both Booklist and American Libraries. In his blog, Manly suggested that the Code was vague and ambiguous and basically a threat to free speech.  He even name-checked the likes of button-pushing comedians like Lenny Bruce, Richard Pryor,  Chris Rock and Sarah Silverman, suggesting that the Code of Conduct would ensure that those who speak freely (if not politically correct) were sure to end up behind bars.

Twitter erupted with a barrage of angry blasts (one hesitates to use the charming moniker of “tweet” for such strongly worded language) Most of it was against Manley, though he did have his supporters. His blog was inundated with protests and was eventually shut down (though Manley insists it was for other reasons) Such is the power of Twitter. And of librarians!

This Scrooge-like shadow cast upon our profession in the form of a new and “controversial” Code of Conduct Policy (You can read the entire Statement of Appropriate Conduct at ALA Conferences here:   http://alamw14.ala.org/statement-of-appropriate-conduct) – was it really the roadblock Manley was making it out to be? Essentially, the Code aims to address “harassment in regard to race, religion, language, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, appearance,  or other group status.”  Pretty standard stuff right? One would ask why there was not a specific policy like this already in place. Perhaps there was no need for it. Librarianship is not a profession tainted by the sort of behavior addressed in this policy, is it? We are all educated, enlightened, open-minded and kind-hearted souls seeking to help not harm, are we not?

Apparently not. Unfortunately, harassment exists just about anywhere people gather in groups. Some librarians, who had either experienced harassment or knew others who did , decided to collaborate on a document that was eventually adopted as The Code of Conduct. It’s a matter of common sense, of common decency. In the words of Andromeda Yelton (one of those librarians and a Library Journal Mover and Shaker in 2013) “ it’s better to have and not to need than to need and not to have.”  I wholeheartedly agree and cannot imagine any sensitive, intelligent person who does not. I am not saying that Will Manley is neither sensitive nor intelligent, but I do question his motives and the tone of his protestations (his blog was taken down/made private but you can read his thoughts here:  (https://www.evernote.com/shard/s20/sh/23dba21b-528d-4846-86a9-e227c706b5e8/66204c262403224ad1487c24089627ab) But I do have this to say to Mr. Manley:

By all means: Confront.  Challenge. Court Controversy, Inspire Skepticism, Invite Debate.  Those are all practices that exist at the heart of critical thinking, modes of being that form the foundation of education.  Looking for answers, researching, questioning, going back to look again through someone else’s eyes. It’s what librarians do. But isn’t it preferable to do so in a more positive manner? Start with the idea that the Code of Conduct is addressing behavior you have been fortunate enough to have never been the victim of. Give your colleagues the benefit of the doubt. Do you really think information professionals are looking to shackle themselves, shout down dissent and inhibit freedom of thought and expression? Quite the contrary. Librarians are our best (but hopefully not the last) hope for maintaining and sustaining intellectual freedom. That’s another thing librarians do – create an environment that is a comfortable place for thoughts and ideas. A place where they can not only exist, but flourish and thrive. A place where they can find new homes and new lives in the hearts and minds of first-time readers and life-long learners. Libraries are stable and enduring symbols that stand against ignorance. Let us endeavor to keep them close, to make them even stronger, to bring them to a higher place in the eyes of the citizens who may take them for granted. Let us allow librarians and library staff to work, study, publish, discuss and otherwise engage with each other and the communities to which they serve. Let us continue to create spaces that are safe, healthy and open to all. In regard to freedom of speech – no Code of Conduct could hinder impede or silence that speech. After all, that is what a library is – a singular voice that speaks for all of the thoughts, ideas, philosophies, customs and cultures that have ever existed. A unique voice that encompasses all of the literature and art and science. A voice that speaks in every language. A truly universal voice.

So, Mr. Manley, I ask that you consider the experiences of those who may be quite different from you. See things from their point of view. Value their perspectives, honor their stories.

It’s what librarians do, right?