Morley Library
Policy on Confidentiality


Consistent with Morley Library’s concern for intellectual freedom, the Library affirms the right of library users to privacy. Morley Library will not disclose to anyone the names of, or other information regarding library users, and will not identify materials requested or checked out by library users.

Exceptions will be made in the following circumstances as required by H.B. 389.

1. Parents, guardians, and custodians will have access to their minor children’s records upon presentation of the proper identification, the child’s library card, or at the request of the child.

2. Law Enforcement Officers will be given requested information upon presentation of a properly executed subpoena, search warrant, or other court order to the Director or the Board of Trustees.

Adopted by
Morley Library Board of Trustees
October 18, 2000


About the Confidentiality Policy of Morley Library

Everyone, regardless of age, is entitled to free, open and equal access to materials and services, including books, magazines, and audio and visual recordings. We encourage parents and guardians to take an active interest in their children’s choices for reading, listening, viewing and Internet use.

The confidentiality of Library borrower records is protected by Ohio state law and also by the administrative policies of Morley Library.

Consistent with Morley Library’s concern for intellectual freedom, the Library affirms the right of library users to privacy. Morley Library will not disclose to anyone the names of, or other information regarding library users, and will not identify materials requested or checked out by library users.

Exceptions will be made in the following circumstances as required by section 149.432 of the Ohio Revised Code:
• Parents, guardians, and custodians will have access to their minor children’s records upon presentation of the proper identification, the child’s library card, or at the request of the child.
• Law Enforcement Officers will be given requested information upon presentation of a properly executed subpoena, search warrant, or other court order to the Director or the Board of Trustees.

Library Records and Privacy

Library staff members protect records about borrowers, their requests for information and materials, and their loan transactions. Their information is not available to individuals or to any private or public agency without a court order. The only exception to this policy is for borrowers under the age of 18. Parents or legal guardians of children under age 18 may have access to information on their child’s Library Card.

Your Library Card is your key to using the Library’s materials and services, and the Library’s key to serving you well. To protect your privacy, and to ensure that only you are held responsible for your own use of materials, please:
• let the Library know immediately if your card is lost or stolen;
• bring your Library Card with you every time you visit;
• use your own Library Card, and don’t share your card with others casually.

Using the Library Card

When you come to the Library with your own card, or call with your Library Card number, you may conduct a variety of transactions, and staff members can answer any questions you have about your account. To ensure the confidentiality of your Library information, Library staff may ask questions to verify that you are the owner of the card. Staff members verify this information against cardholder information on record. Staff may not be able to provide all types of information over the phone if you don’t have the card number and title information for the items involved.
When you come to the library with a card belonging to a friend or family member, you will be able to check out and renew materials, pick up available holds, and pay fines for that person. You will not be able to find which titles have been requested or are checked out on your friend or family member’s card, unless the cardholder is under the age of 18, and you are the parent or legal guardian of the cardholder. You may ask staff to mail this kind of information directly to the cardholder.

Library Cards and Children

If the child is under the age of 18, the Library will, on request, provide the child’s parent or legal guardian with titles of materials checked out, and about outstanding fines and fees on the card. The parent or guardian requesting information about a child’s record must supply the child’s name, address, and date of birth and may be asked to verify his/her own identity.

Holds Pickups

You may designate another person to pick up your holds if you give the person your Library Card, or holds notice. Parents and legal guardians of children under the age of 18 may pick up holds for their children, with the child’s Library Card, holds notice, or with identification verifying that they are the parent or legal guardian.

PINs

PIN is short for “Personal Identification Number”, and is generally a four-digit number. A PIN number is required to access your library card records and to place Holds from the PAC (Patron Access Catalog), both from home or within the Library. You must come into the Library with your Library card or identification to obtain a PIN number.

Internet Privacy

Although Morley Library Staff will not make information available about online sites and resources accessed by patrons on Library computers, patrons need to be aware that there can be no expectation of privacy when using public access computers.