DigitalCommons@Kennesaw State University - All Things Open: Acquisitions Ethics: Questions for the Round Table
 

Acquisitions Ethics: Questions for the Round Table

Presentation Type

Q+A Panel

Location

Teams.

Start Date

8-4-2025 3:00 PM

End Date

8-4-2025 3:50 PM

Description

Query: A professor reaches out to the libraries, begging for help getting a highly specific book for her class. The campus bookstore was unable to get them the textbooks they need in time. We librarians look through our various sources and low and behold the book is no longer published nor purchasable except through third-party sellers that are charging a significant amount. However, in your search, you did find a full PDF of the book on a site. Legally, you as the librarian cannot share this with the faculty member. But what about ethically? Is it not the job of the librarians to provide information?

This round table proposed will include professionals from a variety of library and publishing backgrounds to discuss the ethics of providing information and censorship. In this discussion, we will cover the ethical providing of information (and even the ethical removal of information). Are there times in which censorship would be the ethically correct path? At what point are the librarians truly the gate keepers of information? All the things we as information professionals need to be discussed.

Author Bios

Manda Sexton- Moderator

Manda Sexton is the Interim Director of Resource Strategy and Management at Kennesaw State University and has previously served in various roles including academic library public services and head of assessment. Her scholarly works include multi-year studies on body modifications in libraries, the professional psyche of library middle management, and is currently working on her doctoral dissertation identifying the roles of library staff, faculty, and administrators on a collegiate campus.

Jon Hudson

Jon Hudson graduated with his MLIS at UT Knoxville in 2017 and is now the Electronic Resources Librarian for South College. With seven years of professional academic library experience, he strives to connect patrons with the resources they need for success. Outside of work, he’s usually gaming or playing D&D.

Jean Sierra-Ramirez

Jean (they/she) is currently the Physical Collection Coordinator at the Kennesaw State University Libraries and has previously served the library's front desk as a User Services Associate. Jean has a background in Art History and is interested in exploring the limitations of working within traditional academic and art institutions.

Kyro Huddlestun

Ky Huddleston is the current Coordinator of Resource Sharing for Pitts Theology Library at Emory University, with collected experience of over five years managing the nuances of copyright in higher education. In his off-hours, he’s a cat dad of two and a seasoned backyard birdwatcher.

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Apr 8th, 3:00 PM Apr 8th, 3:50 PM

Acquisitions Ethics: Questions for the Round Table

Teams.

Query: A professor reaches out to the libraries, begging for help getting a highly specific book for her class. The campus bookstore was unable to get them the textbooks they need in time. We librarians look through our various sources and low and behold the book is no longer published nor purchasable except through third-party sellers that are charging a significant amount. However, in your search, you did find a full PDF of the book on a site. Legally, you as the librarian cannot share this with the faculty member. But what about ethically? Is it not the job of the librarians to provide information?

This round table proposed will include professionals from a variety of library and publishing backgrounds to discuss the ethics of providing information and censorship. In this discussion, we will cover the ethical providing of information (and even the ethical removal of information). Are there times in which censorship would be the ethically correct path? At what point are the librarians truly the gate keepers of information? All the things we as information professionals need to be discussed.