Policy on Confidentiality of Library Records

  1. The Board of Trustees of the Hancock County Public Library specifically recognizes its circulation records and other records identifying the name of library users to be confidential in nature, in accordance with provisions in the Indiana Code, IC 5-14-3-4 Version a
  2. Further, the Board subscribes to the American Library Code of Ethics, which says in part that “We protect each library user's right to privacy and confidentiality with respect to information sought or received and resources ls consulted, borrowed, acquired or transmitted.”
  3. All library employees are advised 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.
  4. 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.

Based on recommendations of the American Library Association. Adopted by the ALA Council June 28, 1995. See ALA Code of Ethics Appendix A.

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