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Museums in the United States are grounded in the tradition of public service. They are <br />organized as public trusts, holding their collections and information as a benefit for those <br />they were established to serve. Members of their governing authority, employees and <br />volunteers are committed to the interests of these beneficiaries. The law provides the basic <br />framework for museum operations. As nonprofit institutions, museums comply with <br />applicable local, state, and federal laws and international conventions, as well as with the <br />specific legal standards governing trust responsibilities. This Code of Ethics for Museums <br />takes that compliance as given. But legal standards are a minimum. Museums and those <br />responsible for them must do more than avoid legal liability, they must take affirmative <br />steps to maintain their integrity so as to warrant public confidence. They must act not only <br />legally but also ethically. This Code of Ethics for Museums, therefore, outlines ethical <br />standards that frequently exceed legal minimums. <br />Loyalty to the mission of the museum and to the public it serves is the essence of museum <br />work, whether volunteer or paid. Where conflicts of interest arise —actual, potential or <br />perceived —the duty of loyalty must never be compromised. No individual may use his or <br />her position in a museum for personal gain or to benefit another at the expense of the <br />museum, its mission, its reputation and the society it serves. <br />For museums, public service is paramount. To affirm that ethic and to elaborate its <br />application to their governance, collections and programs, the American Association of <br />Museums promulgates this Code of Ethics for Museums. In subscribing to this code, <br />museums assume responsibility for the actions of members of their governing authority, <br />employees and volunteers in the performance of museum -related duties. Museums, <br />thereby, affirm their chartered purpose, ensure the prudent application of their resources, <br />enhance their effectiveness and maintain public confidence. This collective endeavor <br />strengthens museum work and the contributions of museums to society —present and <br />future. <br />Governance <br />Museum governance in its various forms is a public trust responsible for the institution's <br />service to society. The governing authority protects and enhances the museum's collections <br />and programs and its physical, human and financial resources. It ensures that all these <br />resources support the museum's mission, respond to the pluralism of society and respect <br />the diversity of the natural and cultural common wealth. <br />Thus, the governing authority ensures that: <br />• all those who work for or on behalf of a museum understand and support its <br />mission and public trust responsibilities <br />• its members understand and fulfill their trusteeship and act corporately, not as <br />individuals <br />