Library Confidentiality Policy

Confidentiality Policy

Registration, circulation, and all other library records identifying a library patron by name are considered confidential.

Library records are to be used only by authorized personnel to conduct routine library business. In adopting this policy the Library is adhering to California law:

All registration and circulation records of any library which is in whole or in part supported by public funds shall remain confidential and shall not be disclosed to any person, local agency or state agency except as follows:

(a) By a person acting within the scope of his or her duties within the administration of the library.

(b) By a person authorized, in writing, by the individual to whom the records pertain, to inspect the records.

(c) By order of the appropriate superior court.

As used in this section, the term “registration records” includes any information which a library requires a patron to provide in order to become eligible to borrow books and other materials, and the term “circulation records” includes any information which identifies the patron borrowing particular books and other materials.

This section shall not apply to statistical reports of registration and circulation or to records of fines collected by the library.

    West’s Annotated California Codes 

Government Code, Section 6267

Presentation of valid identification is required from an individual who requests information regarding his/her own library records. Information concerning another individual’s use of library services or materials will be released only upon written request, and with the consent of the patron in question, or by order of a court of law. Disclosure of confidential library records to persons other than the patron requires the approval of the Dean of Library and Academic Resources and/or the College’s Office of General Counsel.

7/23/2013