Center for the Study of Ethics in the Professions at IIT

This Code was adopted by ASIS, November 8. 1961, at its Annual Meeting held in Boston. It was formulated by a committee comprising Morris L Cohen, Chairman, Dr. Richard Orr, Gilbert L Peakm Saul Herner, and Dr. William N. Locke.

CODE OF PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

All scholarly callings demand the highest qualities of integrity from their members. They require active adherence to ethical standards and moral responsibilities, in addition to judgment, intellect. and technical competence. This Code of Professional Practice draws in general upon the common ethical tradition of all mankind, and, in particular, it acknowledges guidance from the professional canons of other related groups

This Code seeks to express the basic responsibilities of the documentalist to his profession, to those with whom or for whom he works. and to the public at large. It recognizes the dedication to the ideals of truth and service which must inspire and influence all his work. The rules are intended to establish a standard of conduct for all engaged in the work of documentation, individuals and organizations alike.

Each documentalist, individually and in association, shall be bound by the following precepts:

1. He shall contribute to the development of documentation by participating in professional activities and ;by exchanging professional information and experience with other documentalist's, students, librarians, engineers, and workers in related fields.

2. He shall be scrupulous in the conduct of his professional activities, seeing to it that his work meets the highest standards of care, attention to detail, and objectivity.

3. He shall not publicize or advertise his ability or accomplishments in an untruthful or misleading manner, nor promote himself, his work, or his organization by drawing invidious comparisons with others and their work.

4. He shall be careful to recognize and acknowledge the professional accomplishments of his colleagues, giving due credit for the contributions and publications of others.

5. He shall exercise restraint in publicly criticizing the work or publications of other documentalists, recognizing that professional meetings and publications are the appropriate forum for such discussion.

6. He shall assist his subordinates to advance themselves professionally and shall adhere to the principle that adequate compensation shall be paid to the members of the profession and to their subordinates.

7. He shall present to the proper authority any factual evidence of unfair, unethical, or illegal actions on the part of any documentalist.

8. He shall not attempt to obtain a particular position, contract or grant, knowing that definite steps have been taken to award that position, contract or grant to another.

9. He shall not underbid another documentalist for specific work after learning of the other's fee for that work.

10. He shall be bound by the highest standards of integrity and fidelity in his dealings with clients and employers.

11. He shall not condone or cooperate in the activities of others when their work is conducted in an unfair, unethical, or illegal manner.

12. He shall immediately notify his client or employer of any personal interest which may compete with their business or conflict with his participation therein and he shall never allow such interest to affect adversely the documentation work for which he is employed.

13. Whenever it is in his client's or employer's interest, he shall engage or advise the engagement of other experts and specialists with whom he shall cooperate.

14. While endeavoring to promote the greatest exchange of scientific information, he shall never violate his confidential relationships concerning the business affairs and technical processes of client or employer.

15. He shall not accept compensation. gratuities or commissions. financial or otherwise, from more than one source for the same service, or for services pertaining to the same work, without the knowledge of all interested parties.

16. He shall act to advance public knowledge of documentation and at the same time shall discourage the spreading of untrue or misleading statements concerning documentation.

17. In making statements on matters of public policy, which are influenced by personal or private interests, he shall take rare to indicate such interest.

18. He shall make public statements on questions of documentation only after having made as full and objective an investigation of the relevant facts as possible.

19. He shall refrain from any activity or enterprise which may diminish the dignity and repute of his profession.

Published in: American Society for Information Science (1968) Handbook & Directory. 1968-69 ed. p. iii