This is an interesting one as, although many librarians working with the public or in learning organisations can ally their professional motivation - that is, to connect people with the knowledge or items they need - with a moral underpinning, those of us in the workplace often have to practice our profession knowing that the end result might be something we don't really support (a crass television programme, for example, or an exploitative profit-making activity). There are those who would argue that impartiality is an essential part of our practice. And others who would say that, given that people will carry out all kinds of activities, worthy or otherwise, it is best that they do so with the best quality information possible.
Sorry, this doesn't really address whether a humanist fellowship is needed so much as whether any system of morals is relevant to a professional organisation!
Regards
Katharine
-----Original Message-----
From: Library and Information Professionals [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Edward Dudley
Sent: 20 October 2009 14:24
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Humanist librarians
Among the many organisations 'in liaison with CILIP' is Librarians Christian Fellowship with its well presented website www.librararianscf.org.uk. This posting seeks discussion of the role of a Humanist Librarians organisation.
Compact OED defines humanism as 'a rationalistic system of thought attaching prime importance to human rather than divine or supernatural matters'. Among these are opposable thumbs enabling us to make tools and thus records from cave paintings to printing and electronic media and thus communicate through space and time and beyond death. This is what LIS do.
Buses in many areas have displayed, on the initiative of the British Humanist Association in Gower Street just round the corner from CILIP, 'There's probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life'.
Observations please.
Edward Dudley
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