Committee on Professional Ethics (COPE)

Charge

The council committee on professional ethics shall augment the Code of Ethics by explanatory interpretations and additional statements, prepared by this committee or elicited from other units of ALA. When units of the association develop statements dealing with ethical issues, a copy will be sent to the committee on professional ethics for review so that it may be compared to the existing ALA code of ethics in order to determine whether or not conflicts occur.

Roster

Johana Emperatriz Orellana Cabrera (Chair, July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2022)
Dr. Kim E. Becnel (Member, July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2022)
Ms. Nancy M. Bolt (Member, July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2023)
Erica Freudenberger (Member, July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2023)
Johana Emperatriz Orellana Cabrera (Member, July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2023)
Mr. Rory Patterson (Member, July 1, 2020, to June 30, 2022)
Catherine Smith (Member, July 1, 2020, to June 30, 2022)
Mrs. Amy Sarkaria Wiggins (Member, July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2022)
Ms. Mary O. Keeling (AASL Representative, July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2023)
Dr. John M. Budd (LRRT Representative, July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2023)
Marna Clowney-Robinson (SRRT Representative, July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2023)
Lourdes Johnson (NMRT Representative, July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2023)
Ms. Lea Beth Wentworth (RRT Representative, July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2022)
Dr. Sheri Edwards (Committee Associate, July 1, 2020, to June 30, 2022)
Dr. Leslie Campbell Hime (EMIERT Liaison, July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2023)
Margaret J. Danhof (UFL Liaison, July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2023)
Ms. Kelsey Ford (YALSA Liaison, July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2022)
Ms. Kelsey Lynn Ford (YALSA Liaison, July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2022)
Andrew Horbal (FMRT Liaison, July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2023)
Dr. Carol A. Leibiger (LHRT Liaison, July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2023)
Dr. Megan Jane Oakleaf (ACRL Liaison, July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2023)
Mr. Kelvin Antonio Watson (PLA Liaison, July 1, 2020, to June 30, 2022)
Ms. Eboni M. Henry (ALA Executive Board Liaison, July 1, 2019, to July 31, 2022)
Deborah Caldwell-Stone (Staff Liaison, June 1, 2001, to June 30, 2025)
Kristin Pekoll (Primary Staff Liaison, February 1, 2015, to August 1, 2022)
Shatha Baydoun (Guest, July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2022)
Ms. Nichelle M. Hayes (BCALA Representative, July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2022)

Displaying active committee roster as of 07/01/2021. Last retrieved on 11/28/2023. Members can log in and refresh the page to view full contact information for committee members.

Resources

Code of Ethics

We significantly influence or control the selection, organization, preservation, and dissemination of information. In a political system grounded in an informed citizenry, we are members of a profession explicitly committed to intellectual freedom and the freedom of access to information. We have a special obligation to ensure the free flow of information and ideas to present and future generations.

The principles of this Code are expressed in broad statements to guide ethical decision making. These statements provide a framework; they cannot and do not dictate conduct to cover particular situations.

  1. 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.
  2. We uphold the principles of intellectual freedom and resist all efforts to censor library resources.
  3. We protect each library user's right to privacy and confidentiality with respect to information sought or received and resources consulted, borrowed, acquired or transmitted.
  4. We respect intellectual property rights and advocate balance between the interests of information users and rights holders.
  5. We treat co-workers and other colleagues with respect, fairness, and good faith, and advocate conditions of employment that safeguard the rights and welfare of all employees of our institutions.
  6. We do not advance private interests at the expense of library users, colleagues, or our employing institutions.
  7. We distinguish between our personal convictions and professional duties and do not allow our personal beliefs to interfere with fair representation of the aims of our institutions or the provision of access to their information resources.
  8. We strive for excellence in the profession by maintaining and enhancing our own knowledge and skills, by encouraging the professional development of co-workers, and by fostering the aspirations of potential members of the profession.
  9. We affirm the inherent dignity and rights of every person. We work to recognize and dismantle systemic and individual biases; to confront inequity and oppression; to enhance diversity and inclusion; and to advance racial and social justice in our libraries, communities, profession, and associations through awareness, advocacy, education, collaboration, services, and allocation of resources and spaces.

Adopted at the 1939 Midwinter Meeting by the ALA Council; amended June 30, 1981; June 28, 1995; January 22, 2008; and June 29, 2021.

Composition

The Committee on Professional Ethics (COPE) consists of 7 members appointed by the Council Committee on Committees, in cooperation with the ALA President-Elect.  Members serve a 2 year term and the Committee is led by the chair.

Get Involved

If you are interested in becoming a member of COPE or other ALA committees, ALA members must fill out the volunteer form to be consider. The form is open from early August to early November. The ALA president-elect makes committee appointments. For more information, visit Committees, Volunteer Resources & Opportunities.

COPE committee member’s initial term is for two years and may be reappointed for an additional two-year term. To be reappointed for a second term, you must fill out the volunteer form.
https://www.ala.org/aboutala/committees/ala/ala-profethic?year=2021
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