Center for the Study of Ethics in the Professions at IIT

An independent information professional is an information entrepreneur who has demonstrated continuing expertise in the art of finding and organizing information.  The independent information professional provides information services on a contractual basis to more than one client.  Information professionals serve as objective intermediaries between the client and the information world.

They bear the following responsibilities:

1. To uphold the profession's reputation for honesty, competence, and confidentiality.

2. To give clients the most current and accurate information possible.

3. To help a client understand the sources of information used, and the degree of reliability which can be expected of them.

4. To accept only those projects which are legal and arc not detrimental to our profession.

5. To respected client confidentiality.

6. To honor intellectual property rights, and to explain to clients what their obligations may be.

7. To maintain a professional relationship with libraries, and comply with all their rules of access.

8. To assume responsibility for employees' compliance with this code.
   

Approved by the membership May 5, 1989 at the Third National Conference and Annual Meeting in Lowell, Massachusetts.

Amended by the membership April 22, 1990 at the Fourth National Conference and Annual Meeting in San Francisco, California.

Objectives of the Association:

The objectives of the Association of Independent Information Professionals are to:

1. Advance the knowledge and understanding of the information profession;

2. Promote and maintain high professional and ethical standards among its members;

3. Encourage independent information professionals to assemble to discuss common issues;

4. Promote the interchange of information among independent information professionals and various organizations;

5. Keep the public informed of the profession and of the responsibilities of the information professional.