FREE MLS - Master of Library and Information Science Professional Foundations and Ethics Questions and Answers

Question 1

A local law enforcement officer requests the borrowing history of a specific library patron without a warrant or court order, stating it is for an ongoing investigation.
According to the ALA Code of Ethics, what is the most appropriate initial response from the librarian?

Accepted Answer

Decline the request and explain that a valid court order or subpoena is required to release patron records.

Answer

Provide the records immediately to cooperate with law enforcement.

Answer

Ask the patron for permission before releasing their information to the officer.

Answer

Inform the officer that the library's computer system automatically deletes borrowing history.

Question 2

Which of the following principles from the ALA Code of Ethics most directly addresses the issue of a librarian refusing to add materials to a collection solely based on their personal disagreement with the author's views?

Accepted Answer

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.

Answer

We provide the highest level of service to all library users.

Answer

We uphold the principles of intellectual freedom and resist all efforts to censor library resources.

Answer

We strive for excellence in the profession by maintaining and enhancing our own knowledge and skills.

Question 3

A small, nonprofit educational institution wants to scan and upload an entire out-of-print, copyrighted book to its password-protected course website for a class of 15 students. Which factor of fair use would most likely weigh AGAINST this being considered a fair use?

Accepted Answer

The amount and substantiality of the portion used is the entire work.

Answer

The purpose and character of the use is for nonprofit educational purposes.

Answer

The nature of the copyrighted work is a factual, non-fiction book.

Answer

The effect of the use upon the potential market is minimal as the book is out of print.

Question 4

A library director is offered a free personal vacation by a vendor who is currently competing for a large contract to provide a new integrated library system (ILS). Accepting this offer would be a violation of the ethical principle concerning:

Accepted Answer

Advancing private interests.

Answer

Intellectual property rights.

Answer

Privacy and confidentiality.

Answer

Equitable access.

Question 5

A new library policy requires the installation of internet filtering software on all public computers, which cannot be disabled for adults upon request. This policy is most in conflict with which core library value?

Accepted Answer

Intellectual Freedom

Answer

Professionalism

Answer

Preservation

Answer

Fiscal Responsibility

Question 6

A public library sets up a new computer reservation system. Which of the following data retention practices best aligns with the professional ethical principle of user privacy?

Accepted Answer

Designing the system to collect the least amount of personally identifiable information and to purge it as quickly as possible.

Answer

Retaining a log of websites visited by each user for 90 days to track trends.

Answer

Keeping records of who used which computer and at what time for at least one year.

Answer

Sharing user login times with the friends of the library group for marketing purposes.