This code of conduct is the product of WHELF’s commitment to create and nurture a welcoming, respectful, inclusive and collaborative community, in line with WHELF’s mission to promote library and information services co-operation, to encourage the exchange of ideas, to provide a forum for mutual support and to help facilitate new initiatives in library and information service provision.
We believe that we can only fulfil this mission of cooperation and mutual support at WHELF events by abiding by a code of conduct informed by principles of dignity, courtesy, and respect. All participants of WHELF events are expected to abide by this code of conduct, regardless of whether they work within an organisation represented by WHELF.
Expected behaviour
- Participants will treat other participants and event organisers with dignity, courtesy and respect, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, age or religion. We do not tolerate personal attacks, bullying, intimidation, harassment or victimisation of event participants in any form.
- Participants will welcome and respect the diversity of voices – recognising that some aspects of diversity may not be visible.
- Participants will listen with courtesy and make space for everyone to have a voice. There may be instances when delegates will not automatically be given a forum as the priority will generally be given to the person who has been booked to present.
Unacceptable behaviour
- Participants will not engage in discrimination on the grounds of race, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, age or religion.
- Participants will not engage in harassment at WHELF events. Harassment includes offensive verbal comments related to race, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, age or religion; deliberate intimidation, stalking or following; harassing photography or recording; sustained disruption of talks or other events; inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome sexual attention.
Consequences of unacceptable behaviour
- Unacceptable behaviour will not be tolerated.
- Anyone asked to stop unacceptable behaviour is expected to comply immediately.
- If a participant engages in unacceptable behaviour, the event organisers may take any action they deem appropriate, up to and including expulsion from the event and a restriction from attending future events.
What to do if you witness or are a victim of unacceptable behaviour
- If you are subjected to unacceptable behaviour, notice that someone else is being subjected to unacceptable behaviour, or have any other concerns during the event, please notify a member of the organising team as soon as possible. All reports will remain completely confidential.
If you have any questions or suggestions regarding this code of conduct, please contact Gill Morris, WHELF Development Officer.