Ethical Standards at Johnson County Library - Research Paper Example

Ethical Standards at Johnson County Library Johnson County Library is one of the well known libraries in Overland Park, Kansas, the United States of America. Being a state utility, the Johnson County Library receives numerous grants from the county government that ensures its smooth running. The library also receives grants and donations from well-wishers and other institutions. The library also enjoys tax cuts and assistance that helps in reducing the costs of its operation. Just like other institutions in the United States, Johnson Country Library provides varied employment opportunities to a section of the residents of Kansas. To measure the effectiveness of the Johnson County Library, the management considers citizens’ response concerning the level of best practices and services offered by employees. The library also allows citizens opportunity to present and file complaints against the institution. The management then considers the weight of the complaints to verify the level of effectiveness of the institution in a move to meet its missions (Jocolibrary.org, 1988). Just like in other organizations, Johnson County Library has numerous codes of ethics and conducts governing the behavior of the employees. The codes of ethics as inscribed in the ethical codes of Johnson County Library are destined for the establishment of the right standards of conduct to govern those who act on behalf of the general public. The accepted codes of ethics at Johnson County Library applies to all people elected to serve in the Office of the Commissioner in Johnson County. The law also applies to all officers elected in the Johnson County, Kansas. Furthermore, the established codes of ethics are applicable to all people appointed and hired as employees to work for the Johnson County, Kansas. The codes of ethics at Johnson County library applies to any individual employed to serve either on the basis of employment, rewards or free service. As indicted in the Jocolibrary.org (1988), one of the codes of ethics accepted at Johnson County Library is for the employees to maintain high standards of ethics. Codes of ethics at Johnson County Library require employees to show great loyalty and strong morality to the county. The level of morality and loyalty shown to the county has to exceed that shown to persons, agencies, political parties, departments and other interests. Additional statement in the codes of ethics adapted by Johnson County Library commands for maximum respect and obedience to the laws of Johnson County, Kansas State and the Supreme Constitution of the United States. This statement of codes of ethics provokes the employees or any individual who is party to the Johnson County Library from engaging in any acts that translate to aversion or breach of the defined laws of the land. Another statement in the codes of ethics of Johnson County Library encourages all employees to be creative and innovative to explore unique ways that can improve their service delivery accorded with best efforts, thoughts and attention. The codes of ethics at Johnson County Library commands all employees in the organization to practice fairness and equality coupled with high degree of respect and courtesy to all citizens. This code of ethics goes further to discourage any form of discrimination against any individual by any of its employees (Jocolibrary.org, 1988). Favors and privileges have to be extended in the right manner that does not interfere or appear to disrupt anyone’s governmental duties. Additional codes of ethics prohibits the organization’s from making any private promises or agreements that are likely divert ones attention from serving the public or attracting compromise on the integrity of the office held. Codes of ethics at Johnson County Library also prohibits any of its employees or contactors from engaging in any form of business with the government to avoid compromise on his/her duties for the government in the official position held. There are also codes of ethics that discourage employees of Johnson County Library from considering any governmental information in a confidential way to perform governmental duties with the intention of earning private benefits. This code of conduct further prohibits employees of Johnson Country Library from exposing or making public any confidential government information or any custom protected by privacy rights (Jocolibrary.org, 1988). The codes of ethics adapted by Johnson County Library also requires the employees of the organization to exhibit maximum integrity when performing governmental duties, and never to convey any information that can misguide the public. The laws also require employees of the institution to block and report any form of corruption to the relevant officers and authorities. Moreover, the codes of ethics outlined in the organization policy of Johnson County Library disallows any employee from accepting any gifts, favor, gratitude or anything for his/herself or their families. The codes of ethics adapted by the Johnson County Library bear immense importance and benefits to the individual employees as well as the general public. The call to maintain confidentiality of any information considered secret by the government can help in reducing tensions that might rise in the event of publicizing the information. Maintaining confidentiality of information regarded by government as secret also has the potential of enhancing and fostering integrity of the institution and governmental in general. Sticking to the rule of confidentiality of private information concerning any citizens can also help in safeguarding the basic rights due to the particular individual. By discouraging employees from participating in act that may translate to corruption or receiving of favors for oneself defines one of the best ways to reduce if not curb corruption and abuse of authority and office held. The outlined code of ethics commanding loyalty and high levels of morality amongst the employees while serving their duties informs one of the best ways to enhance accountability of the individual officers over their actions. Reference Jocolibrary.org. Administrative regulation: Document Number ARM 10-30-20; Codes of Ethics. Retrieved September 18, 2012 from: http://www.jocolibrary.org/upload/library/docs/pdf/ARMs/ARM_10-30-20.pdf Read More