The American Library Association defines privacy in a library setting as the right to open inquiry without having the subject of one’s interest examined or scrutinized by others. Confidentiality exists when a library is in possession of personally identifiable information about users and keeps that information private on their behalf.
The Chappaqua Public Library seeks to protect the privacy and confidentiality of all who use the library. In keeping with this, the library collects and retains personal information for the purposes of providing library services only. The confidentiality of this information, mandated by New York Civil Practice Laws and Rules section 4509, extends, but is not limited to, the circulation of library materials, database searches, interlibrary loan transactions and reference requests.
Some types of personal information needed for the functioning of the library are as follows: name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, library barcode number, and lists of materials currently checked out, requested or overdue, and information related to fines.
To protect confidentiality, 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 authority of federal, state or local law which relates to civil, criminal or administrative discovery procedures or legislative investigatory power.
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 show, they will insist that such defects be cured.
Steps Taken to Protect Patron Information
- As of November 2012, patrons may choose to retain a record of their borrowing history via the online catalog. Once this feature is turned on by the patron the county-wide system will log all borrowing transactions for an indeterminate amount of time. [Prior to this date, the borrowing history for the patron was not retained]. Staff have been instructed not to engage in practices that would compromise the confidentiality of patron records and, therefore, are not permitted to access/enable this information. [This may NOT be true for staff members at the other 37 libraries in Westchester County]
- All records of Internet use on the library’s public computers are removed on a daily basis. Links to Other Internet Sites
Our Website contains links to other sites, which are not maintained by the library. We cannot be responsible for the privacy practices of any other sites you may visit. We encourage you to become familiar with their privacy practices and be mindful of your privacy when you disclose personal information.
Adopted by the Library Board of Trustees: 03/19/2013
Reaffirmed: January 22, 2024