International Symposium on Philosophy of Library and Information Science Symposium was organised by Kastamonu University with the theme of "Ethics: Theory and Practice" in Kastamonu on September 3-5, 2014. I presented a paper titled "Professional Ethics in Assigning Subject Headings for Catalog Records: A case study". The case study was about subject headings used for library materials concerning 1915 tragic events and related topics. The abstract and the summary of the paper are below.
Abstract
Ethical norms and values are not always easy to abide as there may be clashes or there may be cases where values are overridden unintentionally. To exemplify such a case, assignment of subject headings based on LCSH or other local lists for materials about tragic Armenian relocation of 1915, alleged to be a genocide by some circles, has been studied through literature survey and a questionnaire survey conducted. The Ottomans could not take the risk of losing Eastern Anatolia too, following loss of Balkans in 1912, when Armenians contrived to follow suit of the Balkan states, although they formed only 20 percent of the population. Contributions of Armenian volunteer units to the Russian Army during Sarikamish Battle, uprising in Van and surrendering of the city to Russians and seizure of the Ottoman Bank in Istanbul demonstrated that more severe measures were needed. To take the situation under control across the country Relocation and Resettlement Act was passed. It was aimed to relocate Armenians who were posing a threat because of their locations or political views, to be resettled dispersedly in Southern provinces. Serious losses were suffered during the relocation due to hard war conditions. In library collections publications about this topic are held. A subject headings list adopted at national level is not available in Turkey yet. Turkish university libraries use Library of Congress Subject Headings widely but sometimes some other headings are being used and there are also libraries which develop their own lists. Under this circumstances various headings are used for this topic. In view of professional ethical norms and the verdict of European Court of Human Rights concerning Perinçek vs. Switzerland Case (2013), it has been concluded that neutral headings should be used for such conflicts. Presence of a worldwide network of information also needs to be taken into account.
Summary
Ethical norms and values are not always easy to abide as there may be clashes or there may be cases where values are overridden unintentionally. To exemplify such a case, ethical aspects concerning subject headings used by Turkish university libraries on Armenian relocation and resettlement of 1915 in the Ottoman Empire has been studied and the results of the questionnaire conducted have been analyzed. The Ottoman Empire decided to join WWI in November 1914 and by May 1915 was fighting against the Allies on several fronts, suppressing insurrections started at critical points by Armenians systematically to divert the Ottoman army and trying to cope with the acts of sabotage on supply routes. Law on Relocation and Settlement of May 27, 1915 authorized the relocation of Armenians where needed under war conditions. Armenians living along the Caucasian Front; and along the route of logistic supply to all frontiers in Arabian Peninsula, Gallipoli, Galicia etc. and those involved in insurrections and conspiracy were relocated to Southern provinces, since the Ottomans who have lost the Balkans in 1912 last, could not afford losing Eastern Anatolia --where only % 20 was Armenian-- too. Being engaged on so many fronts, security measures taken were insufficient, food and sanitary supplies were limited. There were large-scale epidemics and famine. Additionally local revengeful assaults were very hard to prevent. As a result unfortunate losses occurred. This tragic event is regarded as a genocide in some circles although there is no evidence of intention to exterminate. The debate has been going on for almost a century.
A national subject headings list has not been developed in Turkey yet. The survey results have revealed that in absence of an adapted version of LCSH at national level, a number of libraries use LCSH or its translation into Turkish as it is. Large number of libraries prefer copy cataloguing. A number of libraries use the heading “Armenian genocide” to mean “genocide perpetrated by Armenians against Turks”. Most libraries prefer the heading of “Armenian question”. Librarians who have to follow the institutional policies, mostly think that either LCSH should be adapted, or independent subject headings list should be developed. The percentage of those who say LCSH should be used “as it is” is 12. These responses indicate that there is an ethical clash between library practice and librarians’ personal views on the issue at large. Opinions as a user or individual reveal that implication of a genocide through a subject heading in a catalog is offensive to majority by about 75 percent, while 11 per cent think that such headings can be used, and 13 per cent is neutral whether they are used or not.
In the light of professional ethical norms which require impartiality and some verdicts such as European Court of Human Rights decision of December 17, 2013 concerning Perinçek-Switzerland Case, it has been concluded that neutral headings need to be defined and used for such conflicts. In presence of a worldwide network of information today, almost nothing is local any longer and therefore more care needs to be taken.
About Kastamonu
Kastamonu was one of the cities kept exempt from relocation because the Armenian community living there was not deemed as a security threat, since they neither riotted, nor cooperated with the enemy or sabotaged the logistic routes of the armies.
The city is remembered for having the highest number of martyrs in Gallipoli Campaign which aimed to ease the hand of Russia on the Caucasian Front. During the War of Independence arms and ammunitions were delivered to Inebolu, a county of Kastamonu Province, and were carried to the frontiers from there by ox carts accompanied with women, who sometimes had to take their babies with themselves. Şerife Bacı symbolizes these courageous women. In the first week of June trekkers take the Independence Route from Inebolu to Kastamonu. Information on this trail and other cultural routes of Turkey can be found at these web sites:
http://www.gototurkey.co.uk/things-to-do/turkeys-cultural-routes/
https://4-seasons.de/sites/default/files/pdf_artikel/istiklal_kc.pdf
http://cultureroutesinturkey.com/c/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/KRD-map-back.pdf
With old mansions converted to hotels and restaurants Kastamonu offers delicious local tastes and a nice touch of past.
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