Trustees and all employees in the capacity of trust upon them shall observe ethical standards with absolute truth, integrity and honor.
Trustees and all employees must avoid situations in which personal interests might be served or financial benefits gained at the expense of library users, colleagues, or the situation.
It is incumbent upon any trustee or employee to disqualify himself/herself immediately whenever the appearance or a conflict of interest exists.
Employees and trustees must distinguish clearly their actions and statements between their personal philosophies and attitudes and those of the Morrisville Public Library, acknowledging the formal position of the board even if they personally disagree.
A trustee or employee must respect the confidential nature of library business while being aware of and in compliance with applicable laws governing freedom of information.
Trustees and employees must be prepared to support to the fullest the efforts of the Library Manager in resisting censorship of library materials by groups or individuals.
Trustees who accept library board responsibilities are expected to perform all the function of a library trustee.
Trustees and all employees shall not directly or indirectly solicit any gift or accept or receive any gift having a value of seventy five ($75) or more, whether in the form of money, services, loan, travel, entertainment, hospitality, thing or promise of any other form, under the circumstances in which it could reasonably be inferred that the gift was intended to influence him/her or could reasonably be expected to influence him/her in the performance of his/her duties or was intended as a reward for any action on his part.
The Library Manager shall cause a copy of this Code of Ethics to be distributed to every trustee and employee of the Morrisville Public Library within fifteen (15) days after the effective date. Each trustee and employee thereafter shall be furnished a copy before entering the duties of trustee or employment. Failure to distribute any such copy or failure of any trustee or employee to receive such copy shall have no effect on the duty of compliance with such policy nor on the enforcement provisions thereof.
Adopted November 20, 2014
The Morrisville Public Library recognizes the critical importance of ethical principles in guiding the conduct of our staff. To uphold our commitment to intellectual freedom and equitable access to information, we have adopted the American Library Association’s Code of Ethics as a foundational framework for our operations, both now and for future generations. It is:
We provide the highest level of service to all library users through appropriate and usefully organized resources; equitable service policies; equitable access; and accurate, unbiased, and courteous responses to all requests.
We uphold the principles of intellectual freedom and resist all efforts to censor library resources.
We protect each library user’s right to privacy and confidentiality with respect to information sought or received and resources consulted, borrowed, acquired or transmitted.
We respect intellectual property rights and advocate balance between the interests of information users and rights holders.
We treat co-workers and other colleagues with respect, fairness, and good faith, and advocate conditions of employment that safeguard the rights and welfare of all employees of our institutions.
We do not advance private interests at the expense of library users, colleagues, or our employing institutions.
We distinguish between our personal convictions and professional duties and do not allow our personal beliefs to interfere with fair representation of the aims of our institutions or the provision of access to their information resources.
We strive for excellence in the profession by maintaining and enhancing our own knowledge and skills, by encouraging the professional development of co-workers, and by fostering the aspirations of potential members of the profession.
We affirm the inherent dignity and rights of every person. We work to recognize and dismantle systemic and individual biases; to confront inequity and oppression; to enhance diversity and inclusion; and to advance racial and social justice in our libraries, communities, profession, and associations through awareness, advocacy, education, collaboration, services, and allocation of resources and spaces.
Adopted July 15, 2025