Introduction
The Library collects information about people. This is called personal information. It is kept in library records. Privacy is important to the Library. The Library respects people’s information and takes care of it. The Library follows rules to protect your information.
Privacy of Records
The Library is responsible for protecting the personal information that it collects from users. Library staff only use the information when they need to do their jobs. They only look at the information when they are at work.
The Library is part of a group of 8 regional libraries. The group shares a catalogue. Library users can get items from the catalogue. Their privacy will still be protected. See the Same Page Privacy Policy to learn more.
Collecting and Accessing Personal Information
The Library only collects information it needs to provide services. This includes information about people like the following.
- Name
- Email address
- Home or business address
- Phone number
- Birth year and month
- Library activities
- Library card number
The Library only collects your information with your permission. Any records with this information are private.
Users do not have to give personal information to the Library. Some services may be denied without certain information.
The Library will do their best to:
- only collect and store information it needs
- only keep information as long as it needs it
- keep unauthorized people from knowing who the information is about
- keep unauthorized people from seeing or using your personal information
- safely get rid of information when it is no longer needed
Using Information
Personal information is used for library services like the following.
- Signing out materials
- Helping answer questions
- Using programs and services
- Collecting fees
The Library can also use personal information to stop people who are misusing the library.
The Library will not use personal information for other reasons. The Library will ask permission to give out your information for other reasons.
Personal information will only be kept for as long as it is needed for library services.
Sharing Information
Library staff cannot release personal information without permission. The Library Director can tell them to release it. The Library Director can give another person permission to tell library staff to release information.
The police or courts can ask the Library for personal information. The Library will give this information if the law says it must. Police agencies can be given personal information by any of the following people.
- The Library Director
- A person who has permission from the Library Director
- The Library Board
There are laws that say when the Library has to give out personal information. Police agencies can use these laws to get a court order or subpoena. These are documents that tell the Library to give out the information. The Library only gives out information if the police have one of these documents.
In the event that the Library is required to, by court order or subpoena, share personal information, the Library Director or their delegate will take steps to ensure that records are preserved and protected until further notice.
It can cost money to search for information. This must be paid by the agency asking for the search. They have to pay even if there is a court order.
Adult users can give the Library permission to give out their information. Parents or guardians can give the Library permission to give out their children’s information. Permission must be given in writing.
The Library can also give out information for the following reasons.
- To protect staff
- To protect property
- To enforce rules
Users can ask library staff about their personal information. Staff can tell users what information they have, what they use it for and if it has been given to anyone else. Users can ask staff for a copy of their information.
Users must show their library card to library staff. This allows staff to access their personal information. If users do not have their card with them, they need to give staff their personal information. This gives staff the information they need to make sure that they are accessing the right account.
Users can tell staff to change their information if it is not correct. Users can ask staff to change or remove their information.
Users can access their personal information by logging into their Same Page account.
A parent or guardian can ask to see library records for children 13 and younger. They need to ask staff. The staff will make sure the child is 13 or younger. They will check the parent or guardian’s identity.
A parent or guardian can ask to see library records for young people aged 14 to 18. The Library Director has to give permission. The Library will make sure the child is between 14 and 18. They will check the parent or guardian’s identity.
Users can tell the Library Director if they think the Library has broken these privacy rules.
Protecting Information
The Library is responsible for protecting personal information. It will use the best security methods available to them for this.