Ethical ‘issues’ surround the practice of record keeping activities, and
often directly impact upon the day-to-day conduct of our work. Issues of
freedom of information and privacy have very important ethical dimensions
which affect the way in which records management and archive services are
run. Similarly, record keepers make decisions every day; whether to accept
conditions on access from private depositors, to sell or destroy ‘unwanted’
records, which have ethical overtones.
I’m currently researching these different areas of ‘ethics’ within records
management and archives, and would be grateful if some of you would be
willing to share your thoughts and experiences with me. I’ve offered a few
questions to get you started, but please don’t be limited by them.
* In what ways, if any, do you feel that ethical concerns affect the way in
which you carry out your work? Do these concerns focus on the way in which
you deal with the records under your care, your employers or your clients?
* Have you ever refused a course of action because of professional/ethical
concerns?
* How far do you feel that professional codes, such as the ICA code of
ethics, benefit the practising record keeper?
Please feel free to respond on or off list.
Thank you,
Clare Liston
MARM Student, LUCAS
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