When Hermes Meets Ethics! What Does Ethics Mean to You?

Abstract

"Hermes Meets Ethics" is an interactive poster developed by the IFLA Advisory Committee on Ethics to encourage dialogue on the meaning of ethics within the global library community.

Inspired by Hermes, the messenger of Greek mythology, the poster reimagines him as a symbol of libraries, knowledge, and communication. At the heart of the design, the word "ETHICS" serves as the central visual element, with each letter representing a core ethical value and the mission of the Advisory Committee on Ethics. The headline features IFLA’s seven official languages together with Korean, welcoming participants to WLIC 2026 in Busan.

Visitors are invited to reflect on the question, "What does ethics mean to you?” and share their own perspectives through Post-it notes and QR codes. By bringing together diverse voices from around the world, the poster transforms ethics into a collaborative conversation, emphasizing dialogue, mutual respect, and cultural diversity as the foundation of ethical librarianship.