Information Ethics Policy

Part of the Selection Policy

Intention Statement

While media specialist of Arthur Williams Middle School Library Media Center, I will, to the best of my ability, consistently model, uphold, and explain all aspects of modern information ethics to students and staff.

Intellectual Freedom Position

The staff of this media library center will strive to uphold the following statements at all times.

• Texts, of various sources, will be offered for information, the interest, and enlightenment of all students and staff of Arthur Williams Middle School.  No materials will be excluded because of the origin or views of the authors of the text (AASL, 2009, p. 52).
• The media center will provide text and information representing all points of view on current and historical issues.  No material will be removed because of partisan disapproval (AASL, 2009, p. 52).
• Censorship will be challenged as occasions arise by this media center with intention of continuously providing information and enlightenment to its’ patrons (AASL, 2009, p. 52).
• The media center will make sure the space and meeting rooms are available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use (AASL, 2009, p. 52).
• The right to use the media center will not be denied because of age, grade level, ethnicity, or personal views of the student or staff member wishing to enter (AASL, 2009, p. 52).
• Media center staff will work collaboratively with teachers, students, and community members to ensure the materials available in the library are appropriate for the curriculum being taught and the maturity levels of the students present in the building (AASL, 2009, p. 53).
• The media specialist will continue to be at the forefront of ethical leadership within the school building and at the county level by staying current on published works for professional development.
• The media center staff will work in conjunction with the technological staff of the school and/or county to ensure that all internet usage is being used properly.  It will also ensure to update filters with any reported inappropriate websites.
• At no point will the media specialist or media center staff allow personal views to affect the media center’s materials collection or those who are allowed to access those materials.

Censorship

The position of this media center will be to challenge all occasions of censorship with intention of continuously providing information and enlightenment to its’ patrons (AASL, 2009, p. 52).

Services to Support Ethics

The media specialist is present to support the students and staff of Arthur Williams Middle School in their pursuit of knowledge and enlightenment.  On this journey, it is also the responsibility to ensure those in pursuit of knowledge and enlightenment are aware of copyright policies and digital citizenship.  As the way in which we research information changes, so does our duty to uphold current copyright laws by citing sources.  The media specialist will meet with each classroom in the beginning of the school year to address the importance of copyright laws.  The media specialist will create a presentation for students using the following sources as inspiration:

http://techmunoz.edublogs.org/2011/11/07/teaching-copyright-to-middle-school-students/

http://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/internet-safety-tips-for-middle-school-kids 

http://www.netsmartz.org/mskit 

For more information, visit http://aasl.ala.org/essentiallinks/index.php?title=Intellectual_Freedom.

Copyright

All staff and students of Arthur Williams Middle School shall abide by current copyright laws.  The media specialist shall be responsible for ensuring the availability of current copyright information to all education personnel and students, for obtaining copyright clearance for media used in instruction, and for recommending school and system compliance procedures.

For more information on issues of copyright, visit http://www.copyright.gov/.

Fairuse

All students and staff should be aware of fairuse guidelines.  The media specialist will make posters of fairuse guidelines for rooms.

Please visit the ALA website for information regarding fair use.