Factors Influencing Ethical Practices in Service Delivery Among Information Professionals in Tanzanian Academic Libraries

SThis study examined the factors influencing ethical practices among information professionals during service delivery in academic libraries in Tanzania. However, challenges such as low morale, inadequate training, and lack of clear ethical guidelines, can negatively affect the adherence of ethical practices during service delivery The study was guided by Duty-Based Theory, which highlights moral obligations such as fairness, accountability, and respect for intellectual property, while recognizing the theory’s limitations in addressing dynamic institutional and personal factors. A cross-sectional mixed-methods design was employed, integrating both quantitative and qualitative data from 159 respondents and key informants across four major academic libraries. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and ordinal logistic regression. The findings reveal that ethical practices are shaped, by management enforcement, ethical training, clear guidelines, and positive staff morale than demographic characteristics such as age, gender, or work experience. The study concludes that strengthening institutional support through continuous training, the establishment of codes of ethics, policy development, clear guidelines, and ethics committees is essential for promoting consistent and accountable ethical practices. It recommends that national bodies such as the Tanzania Library Services Board and Tanzania Library Association spearhead the development of a formal code of ethics suited to the Tanzanian context, while academic libraries should enhance ethical standards through regular training, staff involvement in policy formulation, and the practical application of ethical principles in service delivery.