Privacy Policy

REGIONAL POLICY
June 15, 1982
September 17, 1998

POLICY ON CONFIDENTIALITY OF LIBRARY PATRON RECORDS

Access to published information and exercising one’s freedom to read are recognized as basic and necessary rights of all Americans. Any library records containing information about a borrower or which would tend to identify a borrower or user of library information with specific library materials or information obtained through the use of library resources, displays, meeting rooms or programs are considered confidential. Any release of such information constitutes a violation of personal privacy which may tend to inhibit the right of access, the freedom to read, and the use of library resources.

The First Regional Library, therefore, adopts the following guidelines:

All records, formal and informal, print, non-print, and electronic, in the First Regional Library (including all branches therein) relating to patron registration, booking, sign-up, or log-on and the subsequent circulation, use, or access by patrons to materials, information, meeting rooms, displays, or programs provided by the Library are considered to be confidential in nature.

In order to prevent an unreasonable invasion of personal privacy, the contents of registration, booking, sign-up, log-on, and circulation or use records shall not be made available to anyone except under the written order of the Library Director, such order having been issued pursuant to a proper legal process, order, or subpoena under the law.

Upon the receipt of any legal process, order, or subpoena, the person named and/or served shall immediately report to and consult with the Director of the First Regional Library and the legal counsel of whatever county or city in which the branch library is located to determine if such legal process, order, or subpoena is proper and in full compliance with the proper legal authority. In the event that the legal process fails to sufficiently identify or name in specified terms or specifications the records on file with respect to an identified library patron, the request may be considered defective and not binding upon the Library and its personnel, except under further due process of law.

Any records or conditions relating to the privacy of a patron through the records of the First Regional Library which are not provided in the policy statement shall be referred to the Director of the First Regional Library, who, after study and consultation with the Library Board of Trustees and/or legal counsel, shall issue a written decision as to whether or not to heed the request for information.

It is to be understood that efforts made by the Library to have library materials which have been loaned to patrons and which are overdue returned to the Library or receive proper payment for such materials are not the subject of the provisions in this policy. A library patron, by failing to return the borrowed materials on time has, in effect, forfeited his protection of privacy.