Confidentiality of Library Records

Guideline 80
Rev. 1988

The Library faculty position on the confidentiality of library records was established in Spring 1982 and issued an Office of Academic Affairs Memorandum 82-1, attached.  The Leonard H. Axe Library fully endorses the American Library Association's "Policy on Confidentiality of Library Records," adopted January 20, 1971, by the American Library Association Council.

POLICY ON CONFIDENTIALITY OF LIBRARY RECORDS

The Council of the American Library Association strongly recommends that the responsible officers of each library, cooperative system, and consortium in the United States:

1. Formally adopt a policy that specifically recognizes its circulation records and other records identifying the names of library users to be confidential. (See also ALA Code of Ethics, Article III, "We protect each library user's right to privacy and confidentiality with respect to information sought or received, and resources consulted, borrowed, acquired or transmitted" and Privacy: An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights.)
2. Advise all librarians and library employees that such records shall not be made available to any agency of state, federal, or local government except pursuant to such process, order or subpoena as may be authorized under the authority of, and pursuant to, federal, state, or local law relating to civil, criminal, or administrative discovery procedures or legislative investigative power.
3. Resist the issuance of enforcement of any such process, order, or subpoena until such time as a proper showing of good cause has been made in a court of competent jurisdiction.¹

¹Note: Point 3, above, means that upon receipt of such process, order, or subpoena, the library's officers will consult with their legal counsel to determine if such process, order, or subpoena is in proper form and if there is a showing of good cause for its issuance; if the process, order, or subpoena is not in proper form or if good cause has not been shown, they will insist that such defects be cured.

Adopted January 20, 1971, by the ALA Council; amended July 4, 1975; July 2, 1986.

[ISBN 8389-6082-0] 

 "ALA | Other Policies and Guidelines," American Library Association. (Accessed March 17, 2011)