The study of ethics in librarianship, essential for effective acquisitions librarians and collection managers, is largely missing from standard library science curriculum. New professionals must learn library science curriculum. New professionals must learn library ethics on the job, supplemented by reading, attending conferences, and participating in webinars. Guide to Ethics in Acquisitions provides an historical perspective on ethics related to acquisitions of library materials and gives practical examples of situations that require throughtful consideration of ethical behavior. Ethical issues include conflict of interest, vendor relations, intellectual freedom, access, and privacy. -- from back cover.

Introduction -- Organization of the Guide -- Ethics. Definition of Ethics; Personal and Societal Values; Legal Ethics (State and Federal); Professional Ethics -- The Acquisitions Librarian and Ethics. Brief History of the Association for Library Collections and Technical Services; Reason for Acquisitions Focus; Guidance from Twelve Statements; Decision Points in Ethical Collection Development. Intellectual Freedom; Collecting Materials According to Collection Development Policies; Selection Stage; Scope of Content; Receipt of Materials; Checks and Balances; Security of Materials; Cost of Preservation; Storage of Material; Ethics of Collection Access -- Privacy and Confidentiality Issues in Library Acquisitions. The Legal Landscape of Privacy and Confidentiality; When Library Best Practices Violate Patron Privacy; Recommendations -- Appendix: Major Ethics Codes for Librarianship -- Glossary: Ethics Terms