Privacy and Accountability at the Reference Desk

Abstract

The questions of expectation of privacy by the patron and the accountability of he reference librarian to ensure privacy are explored. Discussion reveals lhat different patron types have different expectations of confidentiality. Librarians have an ethical accountability based on ALA Codes of Ethics, but social and personal conflicts may arise. The reference librarian has no legal accountability to protect the patron's confidentiality during a reference interview. Although the Codes need to protect the librarian more and reflect the dualities, there may be no resolution to conflicts between professional and personal integrity.