Ethical Considerations in Public Service-The Library-University of California, Berkeley

The following are considerations originally drafted by the Reference Services Committee; adopted by the Library in January 1981

Information and reference contacts are to be treated so as to preserve the confidences and protect the privacy of users.
Library circulation systems should be designed and administered to protect the privacy of users.
Rules about access to information are to be administered impartially and personal bias should not be reflected.
In responding to reference queries, staff should specify the source of information given. Generally speaking, information should not be interpreted for a user, and if a personal opinion is offered, it should be clearly labeled as such. Public service staff must be especially careful not to give medical or legal advice.
No personal financial gain, beyond one's ordinary remuneration as a Library staff member, should result because of a staff member's role as a representative of the Library in dealing with the user.