A Study of “The Code of Ethics for Librarians” (1980) by the Japan Library Association

Abstract

The Code of Ethics for Librarians adopted by the Japan Library Association has been highly evaluated. However，it has been pointed out that the Code is not put into practice on a regular basis and that the Code is not instrumental in progressing the establishment of an employment system for librarians. This paper examines the characteristics and points at issue in the Code based on the Code and the related documents such as comments and reports by the Research Committee on the Problems of Librarians of the Japan Library Association. From the study，the followings were found.
The professionality of the librarians that is a premise to the Code is not totally elucidated. There is no adequate standards for service，job specifications，and education that prescribe the contents of the professionality. The Japan Library Association has no power to control its member. Therefore，the Code remains merely as an abstract idea in our country.
In addition，since the target of the Code has been expanded to all library staffs，the Code has not been able to fill the role of the goals for the librarians.
Accordingly，the Code has not been able to obtain the desired results as a step for the librarians to improve themselves. Itis necessary to establish the professinality of the librarians in the future to make the best of the Code.