This is from the U.S. National Archives, but provides helpful guidelines that apply to all archivists:

1. Archivists select, preserve, and make available records and papers that have lasting value to the organization or public that the archivist serves. Archivists perform their responsibilities in accordance with statutory authorization or institutional policy. They subscribe to a code of ethics based on sound archival principles and promote institutional and professional observance of these ethical and archival standards.
2. Archivists arrange transfers of records and acquire papers in accordance with their institutions' purposes and resources. They do not compete for acquisitions when competition would endanger the integrity or safety of records and papers; they cooperate to ensure the preservation of these materials in repositories where they will be adequately processed and effectively utilized.
3. Archivists negotiating with transferring officials or owners of papers seek fair arrangements and benefits; copyright; plans for processing; and conditions of access. Archivists discourage unreasonable restrictions on access or use, but may accept as a condition of acquisition clearly stated restrictions of limited duration and may occasionally suggest such restrictions to protect privacy. Archivists observe faithfully all agreements made at the time of transfer or acquisition.
4. Archivists appraise records and papers with impartial judgement based on thorough knowledge of their institutions' administrative requirement or acquisitions policies. They arrange records and papers selected for retention in conformity with sound archival principles and as rapidly as their resources permit. Archivists protect the integrity of records and papers in their custody, guarding against defacement, alteration, theft, and physical damage, and ensure that their evidentiary value is not impaired in the archival work of restoration, arrangement, and use. They cooperate with other archivists and law enforcement agencies in the apprehension and prosecution of thieves.
5. Archivists respect the privacy of individuals who created or are the subject of records and papers, especially those who had no voice in the disposition of the materials. Their neither reveal nor profit from information gained through work with restricted holdings.
6. Archivists answer courteously and with a spirit of helpfulness all reasonable inquiries about their holdings, and encourage use of them to the greatest extent compatible with institutional polices, preservation of holdings, legal consideration, individual rights, donor agreements, and judicious use of archival resources. They explain pertinent restrictions to potential users, and apply them equitably.
7. Archivists endeavor to inform users of parallel research by others using the same materials, and, if the individuals concerned agree, supply each name to the other party.
8. Archivists may use their institutions' holdings for personal research and publication if such practices are approved by their employers and are made known to others using the same holdings. Archivists may review and comment on the works of others in their fields, including works based o research in their own institutions. Archivists who collect manuscripts personally should not compete for acquisitions within their own repositories, should inform their employers of their collecting activities, and should preserve complete records of personal acquisitions.
9. Archivists avoid irresponsible criticism of other archivists or institutions and address complaints about professional or ethical conduct to the institution concerned, or to a professional archival organization.
10. Archivists share knowledge and experience with other archivists through professional activities and assist the professional growth of others with less training or experience.
11. Archivists work for the best interests of their institutions and their profession and endeavor to reconcile any conflicts by encouraging adherence to archival standard and ethics.

(National Archives Institute, National Archives, Washington, D.C.)

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