Neutrality in public libraries: How are we defining one of our core values?

In recent years, library professionals have been struggling with the idea of neutrality, debating whether it is even possible to achieve and, if so, whether it is desirable. This study examined public librarians’ definitions of “neutrality” and asked questions about how this “neutrality” affects their work in libraries. A total of 540 US library workers from 40 different states responded. The most commonly held definition was “being objective in providing information.” Although definitions varied somewhat, there was a high level of agreement with what constitutes neutrality across different scenarios. There were also indications of conflict between personal beliefs and professional values.