The University Library system abides by the American Library Association, Association of College and Research Libraries, "Standards for Ethical Conduct for Rare Book, Manuscript, and Special Collections Librarians, with Guidelines for Institutional Practice in Support of the Standards, 2d edition, 1992."

• Appraisal is defined as the determination of the monetary value of an item or collection of items.
• Valuation of materials for internal administrative purposes is not considered appraisal.
• The appraisal of a gift to the library for tax purposes generally is the responsibility of the donor. Librarians will guide donors to reference tools or appraisers that address market value of books and manuscripts but will not assign a value to any resource.
• The Library system will protect the interest of its donors as best it can and will suggest the desirability of appraisal whenever such a suggestion would be in the best interest of the donor.
• The acceptance of a gift which has been appraised by a third, and disinterested party, does not in any way imply an endorsement of the appraisal by the library.
• University archivist, curator, or librarians must not appraise any rare book, manuscript, or special collections materials given to the University Library system either for compensation or pro bono. Identification and description of materials may be provided for a third party appraisal.