A Code of Ethics for Information Scientists

Responsibility to Individual Persons

Information professionals should:

• strive to make information available to individuals who need it
• strive both to ensure accuracy and not to infringe upon privacy or confidentiality in providing information about individuals
• protect each information user's and provider's right to privacy and confidentiality
• respect an information provider's proprietary rights

Responsibility to Society

Information professionals should:

• serve the legitimate information needs of a large and complex society while at the same time being mindful of individuals' rights
• resist efforts to censor publications
• play active roles in educating society to understand and appreciate the importance of information promoting equal opportunity for access to information