It is the ethical responsibility of library staff to protect the privacy of library patrons. In California, the privacy of library patrons is protected via statute in the Public Records Act, Cal Gov’t Code 6254, 6267 (Deering Suppl 2001). …

Do librarians have the right to deny information to law enforcement?

Forty-eight states and the District of Columbia have laws protecting the confidentiality of library records. Any disclosure of records to law enforcement or other government agencies should only be done in accordance with library policy and the law. …

Why is privacy and confidentiality of patron records important?

Privacy is essential to free inquiry in the library because it enables library users to select, access, and consider information and ideas without fear of embarrassment, judgment, punishment, or ostracism.

How do libraries protect patrons privacy?

What Libraries Do to Protect Patron Privacy. Limit the degree to which personally identifiable information is monitored, collected, disclosed, and distributed. Avoid creating unnecessary records. Only record a user’s personally identifiable information when necessary for the efficient operation of the library.

What is a library record vinyl?

Library records were first composed for use in film, television, and radio productions as stock music, cues, and effects that could be licensed – most often as a way to save on the cost of an expensive original score.

Who are the patrons in public library?

Problem patrons are those visitors to the library who behave in such a way as to unreasonably interfere with the use of the library by others or who interfere with the work of the library staff.

What are library records?

Library record means a document, record, or other method of storing information retained by a library that contains information that personally identifies a library patron, including the patron’s name, address, or telephone number, or that identifies a person as having requested or obtained specific materials from a …

Which article from the library code of ethics applies to a library user’s privacy and confidentiality rights?

Article XI of the Code of Ethics for Librarians (1939) asserted that “it is the librarian’s obligation to treat as confidential any private information obtained through contact with library patrons.” Article III of the current Code of Ethics of the American Library Association (2008) states: “We protect each library …

What is the purpose of the American Library Association Library Bill of Rights?

The Library Bill of Rights embodies the basic policies that guide libraries in the provision of services, materials, and programs. In the preamble to its Library Bill of Rights, the American Library Association affirms that all [emphasis added] libraries are forums for information and ideas.

Do libraries have record players?

Feb 05, 2020 46. Q: Does the library have record players we can use? Yes! The Music Library has listening stations with LP turntables, as well as CD players and cassette tape players.

What is the difference between a patron and a customer?

Patron. : a person who gives money and support to an artist, organization, etc. : a person who buys the goods or uses the services of a business, library, etc. We avoid the term customer in order to differentiate our services from the business world.

What do librarians call customers?

patron
Unexpectedly, those surveyed responded that instead of being called a library “patron,” or “customer,” or “user,” more than half preferred the term “member.” Consider what comes to mind when you think of a: library patron.

What is the ALA policy on confidentiality of Library Information?

The ALA recommends that each library adopt a policy that acknowledges the state library confidentiality provisions and recognizes the confidentiality of information sought or received from library users, including a user’s personally identifiable information.

Are public library records protected by law?

Forty-eight states and the District of Columbia have laws protecting the confidentiality of library records. Two states, Kentucky and Hawaii, have attorney generals’ opinions protecting library users’ privacy. The language of these provisions vary from state to state.

What materials are subject to privacy and confidentiality restrictions?

Materials subject to privacy and confidentiality restrictions may include online search histories, database search records, ILS records or other circulation records, interlibrary loan records, and all other personally identifiable uses of library materials, facilities, programs or services, such as reference interviews.