Scenarios+for+Ethical+Issues

**Jacqui chose blue!** **Kevin is in RED!** Kathy is purple. Sorry I am so late in joining. I have had family commitments and a terrible cold (home today with laryngitis). I will post the summary later today.
 * Darren is in Green **

Request the books returned and give the SB Member your district's policy for dealing with challenged materials. If the materials have been destroyed, replace and charge the district / SB. Presenting a copy of the circulation policy might also be useful, if only to demonstrate that they are violating that policy too. **I agree the board member should follow a district policy.** I agree, the Board needs to be educated as to the district policy for challenged materials. I would hope there was a policy that Board members have to contact a school to get the facts before swooping in and dealing with an issue!
 * 1. A school board member removes books from a high school library because a citizen said the books contain offensive language. Neither has read the books.**

Talk to the teacher who assigned the work. See if there is an ipad / laptop available for the student to use at home / in an area where there is free wireless (Starbucks?). Arrange for the student to spend silent reading or other flexible time in the library. If using the internet is required to meet a learning outcome of the assignment, then the teacher should be aware that it is their responsibility to provide adequate internet access time. Alternatives should be available to students who do not have the resources to research on the internet. **Make the teacher aware of the child's needs and provide an alternative assignment or maybe class time can be provided by the teacher. Do they have Computers for schools? He/She could get a laptop.** I agree the key issue is internet access. A laptop or ipad will not help unless the student has internet access. Working with the TL to provide print resources or extra computer time during school hours would be a good solution.
 * 2. A student who rides the bus does not have Internet access at home and cannot complete a research assignment.**

Replace. Give him the bill. If it happens again...cross that bridge when you need to! **I agree with Jacqui.** I agree too, mistakes happen. Now, what about the bridge.... Provide a copy of intellectual freedom policy for school libraries, PLOs for sex ed. around recognizing different choices...?
 * 3. The principal checks out and "loses" some books with LGBTQ characters in them. He offers to pay for them.**

A clerk? What's that? Speak with the clerk (parent volunteer) about library ethics and privacy. Speak to the student and parent (separately) to see if there is reason to be concerned. Should there be some sort of discussion about consequences if this were to happen again? Who's responsibility would this be ? **It could be by request. Our clerks are in a different union so consequences might need to be from the principal if they are warranted.** It depends on school policy. Some schools (especially elementary) do give parents lists of overdue materials. Ensure that the clerk is educated about privacy issues and has a pre-planned statement for parents asking for circulation info. Having a pre-planned statement allows people to diffuse situations and to use the 'it's beyond my control' out to avoid confrontation. The parent can then take their concerns to a the TL or even the school counsellor if they feel their concern is urgent. Creating policy around sharing info. with parents and publishing it in a parent handbook or school website would also avoid difficult situation.
 * 4. Your clerk tells a parent what their child is checking out of the library.**

Speak to all staff about copyright information. Place "DO NOT COPY" on items that cannot be copied to help staff understand. Ask them if they are copying... go from there. I just realized that you cannot bring DVDs from home and add them to the collection! **This seems kind of old school. Videos I presume means VHS or Beta.** I would use the education and labelling route too. I don't want to police my colleagues. It is their responsibility to follow the law.
 * 5. You suspect one of your colleagues is making pirate copies of videos.**

Is this not okay? Performances are a necessary part of the Performing Arts. It is part of the curriculum. **Most trained music teachers are aware of copyright issues so I don't see the problem.** I agree that most music teachers are aware of music copyright issues - they are usually performers themselves. I would still do the education piece (post copyright rules near the copier). I might even be cheeky enough to ask how much the performance rights cost :)
 * 6. The music teacher is copying a piece of choral music that will be used at a school concert.**

Oh, dear. Tell them to stop immediately, and suggest that they learn more about how the school network logs users and their activities. **This is old school. Our district monitors this kind of thing. So it might get dealt with by someone else.** I agree. I don't monitor teacher use of the computers after hours - but I bet the school district does. If I actually saw them doing it I would remind them about professional conduct and the possible ramifications.
 * 7. Two teachers are downloading porn after hours.**

Try to discuss the literary benefits of graphic novels and choosing materials for reading enjoyment vs being told what to read. Try to reach a compromise. I would explain that the request is not part of my job (with a discussion about intellectual freedom), and a suggestion that the best way to address it would be for them to speak to their son directly. **On the other hand the parent has a right to raise their own children and therefore there might be something offensive to the believes of the parents so I find this one a difficult one.**
 * 8. A parent asks you to restrict her middle school son from checking out graphic novels.**

Tricky...what is purchased is up to the whole staff, not just one part of it. BUT if this group cares enough to form a committee, it is important to them. Perhaps review the databases and compare to what the public library offers...? Or hold fundraising to purchase print materials, or ask the district to purchase database licenses for all the schools... Hopefully there would be an acquisitions policy that would determine the best use of resources, maybe support this direction, or identify a better action. **I agree with both of you. I would suggest that one or two of the databases might be useful but balance of materials is important.** I would try to get on that committee or at least attend a meeting as a speaker ASAP and educate them.
 * 9. The site - based council directs you to spend your budget on databases, not print materials.**

Bring some in from the public library or direct the VP to some good websites. I might ask why the VP is asking me to do work for them during school time, and explain how busy I am doing work for students. Love it! Ha ha! Maybe show the VP how to use the system? Teach a man to fish...  **Is this realistic?**
 * 10. The VP requests 15 books on his / her personal hobby of antiquing.**

Tell the parent you will let the child know if there are any outstanding materials I agree, and I would also explain to the parent why I am honouring the student's privacy regarding the materials. It would be a good opportunity to educate the parent. **I am not too bothered by this. It depends on who the parent is. Some parents might just be asking so they can help find the books.** I admit that I do do this in elementary school. The parents are ultimately responsible for the books and the replacement cost.
 * 11. A parent asks for a list of all the books her daughter has checked out so she can make sure they are all returned before they move.**

Initiate a conversation as to "Why". If the conversation is refused or seems strange / non-curricular related, refer the boys to the counsellor / administration. Any child who talks about hurting themselves, others or is being hurt needs help. We are legally required to seek help. **I agree. I mean you can google bombing making. Why do they need a book? They are trying to draw attention to themselves.** It is a cry for help. I agree. OR it is a dare or a joke? Either way a quiet discussion and maybe a referral to the cousellor is the way to go.
 * 12. Two students ask for help with obtaining interlibrary loan materials. The topic: How to build a bomb.**