Statement on Principles and Standards of Acquisitions Practice

In all acquisitions transactions, a librarian:

gives first consideration to the objectives and policies of his or her institution;
strives to obtain the maximum ultimate value of each dollar of expenditure;
grants all competing vendors equal consideration insofar as the established policies of his or her library permit, and regards each transaction on its own merits;
subscribes to and works for honesty, truth, and fairness in buying and selling, and denounces all forms and manifestations of bribery;
declines personal gifts and gratuities;
uses only by consent original ideas and designs devised by one vendor for competitive purchasing purposes;
accords a prompt and courteous reception insofar as conditions permit to all who call on legitimate business missions;
fosters and promotes fair, ethical, and legal trade practices;
avoids sharp practice;
strives consistently for knowledge of the publishing and bookselling industry;
strives to establish practical and efficient methods for the conduct of his/her office;
counsels and assists fellow acquisitions librarians in the performance of their duties, whenever occasion permits.

Developed by the ALCTS Acquisitions Section Ethics Task Force; endorsed by the ALCTS Acquisitions Section and adopted by the ALCTS Board of Directors, Midwinter Meeting, February 7, 1994.