Maurice Fortin, Chair 2008-2009

PRR Membership | ALA Code of Ethics | Ethics Links | Salary Links |Related Links

The Professional Rights and Responsibilities Committee has these duties:

1. Oversees the development and promulgation of guidelines that support the highest level of personal integrity and professional competence of librarians in the state.

2. Supports adherence to principles of due process and equality of opportunity in peer relations and personal actions.

3. Supports and communicates to membership the policies of state and national associations in such subjects as comparable rewards, equal opportunity in employment and salaries, fair employment practices, and professional ethics.

4. Regularly surveys and reviews pertinent data for updating the minimum entry-level salaries for librarians with master's degrees in library science and/or information science and recommends adoption of appropriate changes to the minimum level salaries.

5. Defines ways in which TLA applies the minimum level salary guidelines.

6. Publicizes widely to all libraries and hiring authorities throughout the state the minimum entry-level salary adopted for librarians with master's degrees in library science and/or information science.

Committee Membership

Maurice Fortin, Chair 2008-2009
Carolyn Davidson, Vice-Chair

• Olivia Baker (District 8)

• Diane Bruxvoort (District 8)

• William Buckner (District 3)

• Pete Cortez (District 4)

• Janice Lange (District 8)

• Clara Latham 2006-2009 (District 7)

• Jeanne Martinez 2007-2010 (District 10)

• Florence Mason 2006-2009 (District 5)

• Melissa Rippy 2006-2009 (District 9)

• Chris Salerno (District 5)

• Gayla Tennison (District 7)

• Sue Compton,  Executive Board Liaison

American Library Association
Code of Ethics

As members of the American Library Association, we recognize the importance of codifying and making known to the profession and to the general public the ethical principles that guide the work of librarians, other professionals providing information services, library trustees and library staffs. 

Ethical dilemmas occur when values are in conflict. The American Library Association Code of Ethics states the values to which we are committed, and embodies the ethical responsibilities of the profession in this changing information environment. 

We significantly influence or control the selection, organization, preservation, and dissemination of information. In a political system grounded in an informed citizenry, we are members of a profession explicitly committed to intellectual freedom and the freedom of access to information. We have a special obligation to ensure the free flow of information and ideas to present and future generations. 

The principles of this Code are expressed in broad statements to guide ethical decision making. These statements provide a framework; they cannot and do not dictate conduct to cover particular situations. 

1. We provide the highest level of service to all library users through appropriate and usefully organized resources; equitable service policies; equitable access; and accurate, unbiased, and courteous responses to all requests.

2. We uphold the principles of intellectual freedom and resist all efforts to censor library resources.

3. We protect each library user's right to privacy and confidentiality with respect to information sought or received and resources consulted, borrowed, acquired or transmitted.

4. We recognize and respect intellectual property rights.

5. We treat co-workers and other colleagues with respect, fairness and good faith, advocate conditions of employment  that safeguard the rights and welfare of all employees of our institutions.

6. We do not advance private interests at the expense of library users, colleagues, or our employing institutions.

7. We distinguish between our personal convictions and professional duties and do not allow our personal beliefs to interfere with fair representation of the aims of our institutions or the provision of access to their information  resources.

8. We strive for excellence in the profession by maintaining and enhancing our own knowledge and skills, by encouraging the professional development of co-workers, and by fostering the aspirations of potential members of  the profession.

Adopted by the ALA Council
June 28, 1995

Ethics Links 

·    Committee on Professional Ethics (ALA's Office of Intellectual Freedom)          

    Professional Ethics and Librarianship (Article from Texas Library Journal)

Salary Links 

          ALA 2006 Salary Survey

 Texas Library 2004 Salary Survey: Executive Summary  

·    Salary Survey (Association of Research Libraries)

   Minimum Salary Recommendation (Professional Rights and Responsibilities Committee)