Helen Schofield and Lynda Pretty composed this humorous quiz for a seminar they conducted as part of their assessment for the Post-graduate Diploma in Library and Information Studies at QUT. Their seminar was on the topic of 'Ethics and responsibilities for information professionals'. The quiz will provide some enjoyment for readers, as well as some ethical dilemmas for you to think about...
| 1 |
You are working in a law library. A client approaches you with a question on the laws pertaining to backyard fences and neighbours' rights. You know everything about this topic because you had a fight with your neighbour last year about the same thing. |
| Do you: |
a. spend the next two days researching territorial rights for the client and then contact your local television station.
b. direct her to the best reference tools that will most likely answer her question.
c. give her the phone number of your lawyer.
d. tell her all about the law as you understand it and then advise her to erect a large fence. |
| 2 |
A customer approaches the reference desk and begins to speak to you in a language that you do not understand. |
| Do you: |
a. decipher what language he speaks and then learn basic sentences for the next time he visits.
b. ask him if he speaks English and if he doesn't, guide him to the multi-lingual section of the library.
c. pretend to look interested and to understand, and then point to some far away shelf in the library.
d. point him to the exit. |
| 3 |
On your first day as a new library technician you notice that the entrance and exit to the library has no obvious wheelchair access. |
| Do you: |
a. mention it to your manager immediately, stressing the need for non-discrimination of any user-group.
b. ask your supervisor if there is any access available that you have yet to notice.
c. neglect to tell anyone for fear of looking like a teacher's pet.
d. forget about it, it's not your problem. |
| 4 |
A client has asked you to do some research on a really interesting and juicy topic that you are sure will fascinate your friends and delight your partner. |
| Do you: |
a. Tell no one because to maintain client confidentiality is part of your professional code of conduct.
b. Tell your friends without embellishing the details in a way that doesn't breach any confidentiality.
c. Tell your partner in confidence because it won't really harm anyone.
d. Supply the story and the client's details to your friends because it's too good not to spill and they'd love to meet the client. |
| 5 |
The reference desk is really busy and you are struggling to catch up on your reference requests before lunch. For one request, of a medical nature, you find some information that seems to answer the client's question. You did notice, however, that there may be some contradictory information on the topic on one of your CD-ROMs. |
| Do you: |
a. inform the client that there may be contradictory information and, in order to find out more, you have booked yourself in for exploratory surgery.
b. find the contradictory information and give both sides to the client, letting him make up his mind.
c. find the contradictory information and decide on giving him the initial information, because it seems more authoritative.
d. give him the initial information, hope for the best, and go for a burger. |
| 6 |
As a library manager of an important governmental library, one of your roles is to maintain client satisfaction. Your most important client, the minister himself, tells you that his wife has a 'thing' for Polish women's poetry of the mid-19th century. |
| Do you: |
a. do a little research on Kinetica and the Internet and give him some interesting leads for his wife to follow.
b. exclaim interest and tell him to investigate the local public library. You are, after all, there to serve your clients, not their spouses.
c. buy up a collection of items on the topic knowing that his happiness is your survival.
d. exclaim great interest, and then role your eyes behind his back. |
| 7 |
You work at a busy university library. A really feral student approaches the desk looking for a text book that is kept in the closed section of the library. You then notice out of the corner of your eye that the student appears to be photocopying the whole book. |
| Do you: |
a. ask him to stop his activity and to perhaps grab a shower.
b. point out to him the notice above the copier that explains the current laws on photocopying and copyright. Explain that his activity is a violation of those laws.
c. look the other way as no one should have to buy such expensive text books, especially students on government assistance.
d. help him to finish off the photocopying. |
| 8 |
The loser accountant in your finance department wants to go out on a date with you. |
| Do you: |
a. Say yes. You've been advised to make friends with the finance department.
b. Thank her and explain that you don't get involved with work colleagues, but you still would like to be friends.
c. Say no. Nothing could possible entice you to date her.
d. Say yes. You're desperate. |
| 9 |
Your uncle Barny knows where he can get his hands on some cheap video equipment. |
| Do you: |
a. recommend the purchase to the manager with a full report and a comparison with five other similar businesses.
b. buy it and save the library money.
c. do nothing because you don't want to do your usual supplier out of business.
d. buy it but charge the library full price and pocket the difference. |
| 10 |
You are a library manager and you have to decide between two candidates equally capable of a new position as reference librarian. One of them is your sister-in-law. |
| Do you: |
a. re-advertise the position at your own expense. You just can't decide.
b. advise another library manager of your predicament and ask them to recommend one of the candidates.
c. hire your sister-in-law because your brother will never forgive you if you don't.
d. hire the other candidate because you don't like your sister-in-law. |
(The situations portrayed in this quiz are entirely fictional, and bear no resemblance to any person or event, real or otherwise )
|
And now the solutions - read on to see if you are a good or bad librarian... |
| Mainly a's |
You are truly the world's kindest, most responsible librarian. We bet you were a Girl Guide or a Scout when you were young and probably still volunteer to help at their jamborees (not that there's anything wrong with that). Our prediction - you will either go far or end up being fitted for cement shoes by your colleagues. |
| Mainly b's |
Congratulations. It is nice to know that some librarians are also human beings, complete with frailties and dilemmas of conscience. You take your profession very seriously, but are sometimes swayed by emotions and your own set of personal ethics. Keep up the good work! |
| Mainly c's |
We bet you did not even cry when Bambi's mother died. You should probably work a bit more on refining your people skills and being a tad more responsible in your work ethos. Try helping that little old lady across the street next time rather than placing bets on whether the car or the bus will hit her first. |
| Mainly d's |
On dear, we hate to state the obvious, but it appears that God did not intend for you to become a librarian. We suggest you join a cult or, even better, apply for a position as a night-shift clerk where ethics and people skills are not a priority! |
