Library Board Code of Ethics

Dickinson Area Public Library Board Members Code of Conduct

All Board Members do affirm they shall:

• Observe ethical standards with absolute truth, integrity, and honor;

• Avoid situations in which personal interests might be served or financial benefits gained at the expense of the Library or its users;• Excuses one’s self from voting whenever there is a material conflict of interest;

• Ensure their personal philosophies or interest do not interfere with their administration of the Board or their support of its decisions;

• Support to the fullest the efforts of librarians in resisting censorship of Library materials by groups or individuals;

• Accept and perform all the duties and functions within the North Dakota Century Code and the Dickinson Area Public Library Board Bylaws;

• Listen and respect the opinions of other Board Members;

• Keep the Board informed of relevant information that would be of interest to all of its members;

• Read the distributed materials before the meetings and come to all meetings prepared to discuss the issues;

• Participate actively in meetings and actions and inform the Library Director when unable to attend;

• Attempt to interpret and anticipate the current and future needs of the users of the Library;

• Refer concerns to the proper level on the chain of command within the Library;

• Recognize that the Board’s responsibility is to ensure the Library is well managed, working to never undermine the authority of the Library Director in that management;

• Represent all users and potential users of the Library equitably;

• Ensure that the Library and its facilities are well maintained, financially secure, growing, and always operating in the best interest of its users;

• Advocate for the Library, both within the community and within other organizations;

• Use the Library and become familiar with its staff and operations;

• Support Intellectual Freedom - the right of every individual to both seek and receive information from all points of view without restriction;

• Take advantage of opportunities for continuing development as a Board Member;

• Board Members shall comply with all the laws, rules, and regulations that apply to them and their Library;

• Board Members, in fulfilling their responsibilities, shall not be swayed by partisan interests, public pressure, or fear of criticism;

• Board Members shall not engage in discrimination of any kind and shall uphold Library patrons’ rights to privacy in the use of Library resources;

• Board Members shall not use their position to gain unwarranted privileges or advantages for themselves or others from the Library or from those who do business with the Library.