Administrative Policy #1.07 - Confidentiality of Library Records
Purpose
The mission of the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library is "Bringing People and Information Together." To protect each individual's privacy in use of library services~ the Library has adopted the following policy regarding the confidentiality of records of registered Library patrons.
Guidelines
Underlying Considerations
The First Amendment of the United States Constitution guarantees freedom of speech with the corresponding right to hear what is spoken and read what is written without fear of government intrusion, intimidation, or reprisal. Confidentiality is the primary means of providing the privacy that will free the individual from fear of intimidation or retaliation.
Oregon State law recognizes the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library as a public body subject to the Public Records Law. However, Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) 192.502.22 provides the following exemption from disclosure of library public records:
"The records of a library, including circulation records, showing use of specific library materials by a named person or consisting of the name of a library patron together with the address, electronic mail address, or phone number, of the patron."
Policy
In accordance with the Underlying Considerations cited above, the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library adopts the following Policy.
User records of the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library showing 1) use of specific library materials consulted, borrowed, acquired, or transmitted, by a named person, or 2) consisting of the name of a Library patron together with the person's address, electronic mail address, or telephone number, or both, are exempt from disclosure. However, upon issuance of a court order, the Library may be required to disclose borrower records to law enforcement agencies. Depending upon the court order, the Library may or may not be allowed to disclose to the patron or anyone else that the records were released.
These records include, but are not limited to:
a. Circulation records;
b. Borrower registration records; and
c. Records created to facilitate access to and/or use of library information, materials, and services
The Corvallis-Benton County Public Library reserves the right to use library records for administrative and safety purposes, such as recovering overdue materials, payment for lost items, customer surveys, administrative mailings, or assisting in the investigation of crimes committed at the Library. The Library does not allow use of library records for fund-raising or political purposes.
Review/Update
The Library Director will prepare this Administrative Policy for review every three years for City Manager approval.
Last reviewed: 09-2014
