Code of Ethics

The Wichita Public Library endorses and supports the American Library Association Code of Ethics as adapted for the Wichita Public Library.

1. Library employees, board members, and volunteers shall provide the highest level of service through appropriate and usefully organized collections, fair and equitable circulation and service policies, equitable access to local and remote information resources, and skillful, accurate, unbiased and courteous responses to all requests for assistance.
2. Library employees, board members, and volunteers shall uphold the principles of intellectual freedom and resist all efforts of groups or individuals to censor library materials.
3. Library employees, board members, and volunteers shall protect each user's right to privacy and confidentiality with respect to information sought or received and resources consulted, borrowed, acquired or transmitted.
4. Library employees, board members, and volunteers shall recognize and respect intellectual property rights.
5. Library employees, board members, and volunteers shall treat co-workers and colleagues with respect, fairness and good faith, and shall advocate conditions of employment that safeguard the rights and welfare of all employees of our library system.
6. Library employees, board members, and volunteers shall distinguish clearly between their personal convictions and attitudes and those of an institution and professional body, and shall not allow their personal beliefs to interfere with the fair representation of the aims of the library system and the City of Wichita or the provision of access to our informational resources.
7. Library employees, board members, and volunteers shall avoid situations in which personal interests might be served or financial benefits gained at the expense of Library users, colleagues, the Library system, or the City of Wichita.
8. Library employees, board members, and volunteers shall strive for excellence by maintaining and enhancing their own knowledge and skills, by encouraging professional development of library employees, and by fostering the aspirations of potential members of the library profession.

PHI-009