The Bettendorf Public Library Board of Trustees supports the concept of
intellectual freedom and the right of each citizen, regardless of age, to
free access to information without fear of intimidation. We therefore
advise employees, volunteers and customers that all library records
identifying the names of library users with specific materials or requests
for information are confidential. These records include but are not
limited to the following:
- Quad-Linc records
- Interlibrary loan request forms
- Reserve forms
- Information requests
This policy extends to those records involving patrons under the age of
majority or the developmentally disabled. Parents should be aware that if
they want information about the items their child has checked out, the
child must be present with the parent to request the information. Without
the child present, only the number of items checked out, the date due or
the amount of fines may be released. Title information may only be given
to the person who actually borrowed the items upon presentation of library
card.
This policy is intended to govern only those materials which, when
examined either by themselves or with other records, would reveal the
identity of the patron using the library materials. All other records
(e.g. The Community Profile or library materials themselves) are public.
However, no patron may use this policy to steal materials from the
library. In the event of theft, the library will release to the police the
name and address of the person committing the theft and a list of
materials stolen and the replacement cost thereof.
Also, patrons are advised that their actions may alert others to the
information they have accessed. Our computers do not automatically erase
sites visited while on library provided Internet stations. While the
library does not keep such information, subsequent users may be able to
ascertain sites accessed.
The Library Director or the Director's designee is the official custodian
of library records. The custodian of the library records shall not release
confidential records without a court order pursuant Iowa Code 22.7
(12).
Guidelines for examining any confidential library records ordered to be
released by court order are:
- Access to the records, if a court order is presented, shall be only
during the hours of 9:00 - 12:00 a.m. and 1:00 - 4:00 p.m., Monday through
Friday.
- Access shall only be granted under the supervision of the Library Director
or a staff member authorized by the Director.
- Expenses, including staff time and copying charges, incurred in the
copying of the library records shall be charged at the following
rates:
Photocopies or print out -- $ .15 each
Staff time
-- $ 10.00/hr.
References:
Iowa Open Records Law (Chapter 22.7, Code of Iowa) allows
some public records to "be kept confidential, unless otherwise ordered by
a court, by the lawful custodian of the records, or by another person duly
authorized to release information.
The library records paragraph 22.7 (12) reads: "…the records of a library
which by themselves or when examined with other public records, would
reveal the identity of the library patron checking out or requesting an
item from the library."
American Library Association, Librarian's Code of Ethics, Number
III:
Librarians must protect each user's right to privacy with respect to
information sought or received, and materials consulted, borrowed, or
acquired.
American Library Association, Confidentiality of Library Records Policy
(52.4):
The American Library Association strongly recommends that the responsible
officers of each library . . . :
- Formally adopt a policy which specifically recognizes its circulation
records and other records identifying the names of library users with
specific materials to be confidential.
- 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 investigatory power.
- 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.
Quad-Linc Library Confidentiality Policy: We the members of
Quad-Linc, recognizing the importance of protecting the privacy of our
patrons, support the ALA Policy on Confidentiality of Library Records and
agree to follow the Illinois Library Confidentiality Act and Iowa code,
Chapter 22, "Examination of Public Records," in order to protect the
confidentiality of patron records of member libraries.
onfidentiality of Library Records
