I agree that purchase of
deaccessioned items by those charged with administration and governance is a
conflict of interest. A curator, director, or board member who may be one
of those recommending or agreeing to the deaccession should not then be allowed
to purchase such an item even at a public sale. This seems less clear cut
for "volunteers," assuming they have no role in the decision-making
process. They may, however, be in the position to influence others who
do.
Catherine Bruck University Archivist Illinois
Institute of Technology Paul V. Galvin
Library 35 W. 33rd St. Chicago, IL 60616 312/567-6840 FAX 312/567-5318
bruck@iit.edu
Currently our policy regarding
purchasing deaccessioned materials at auction reads:
"No
objects to be deaccessioned can be acquired privately by any staff, volunteer,
board member, or committee member of the Society unless acquired by purchase
at a public sale of such objects or through other means of public
disposal."
Is this standard and ethical practice?
It is my understanding that anyone associated with an institution should
not knowingly purchase deaccessioned materials from that institution because
it is a conflict of interest.
Does anyone else have a similar policy?
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