Library Policies and guidelines
Library Policies (guidelines from American Library Association)
Library Guidelines and Procedures ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Vermont State Statute on Library Confidentiality
Confidentiality Confidentiality of borrowers' records is supported by the Joint Board and staff in compliance with state law (22 VSA section 172) and federal law (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act). A number code shall be assigned when a borrower registers, which shall be used to sign out books. The names, addresses and telephone numbers of library users shall be strictly confidential. Circulation records and other records identifying the names of library users and the library materials they use are confidential in nature. Such records are not normally available to any agency or individual.
Those who make inquiries for such information, including police, FBI, CIA, or similar law enforcement agency or personnel should be informed that: 1. The inquiry for such information should be directed to the Town Attorney, who will rule on the legal necessity for disclosure, based upon the showing of good cause, and so inform the librarian. 2. The Library staff is not empowered to make such information available until such time as they have received direct authorization from the Town Attorney or a Court Order. 3. If there is a Court Order or a subpoena, legal advice should be sought from the Town Attorney or from the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom. 4. If the court order is in the form of a search warrant, it is executable immediately. Ask for legal counsel to be available to assure the search conforms to the terms of the search warrant. 5. If the court order is in the form of a search warrant issued under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (USA Patriot Act amendment): a. Request legal counsel to be available. b. Respect “gag order”, i.e. the library staff cannot disclose that a warrant has been served or that records have been produced. c. The library and its staff must comply with this order.
(State of Vermont)
Library Guidelines and Procedures ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Vermont State Statute on Library Confidentiality
Confidentiality Confidentiality of borrowers' records is supported by the Joint Board and staff in compliance with state law (22 VSA section 172) and federal law (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act). A number code shall be assigned when a borrower registers, which shall be used to sign out books. The names, addresses and telephone numbers of library users shall be strictly confidential. Circulation records and other records identifying the names of library users and the library materials they use are confidential in nature. Such records are not normally available to any agency or individual.
Those who make inquiries for such information, including police, FBI, CIA, or similar law enforcement agency or personnel should be informed that: 1. The inquiry for such information should be directed to the Town Attorney, who will rule on the legal necessity for disclosure, based upon the showing of good cause, and so inform the librarian. 2. The Library staff is not empowered to make such information available until such time as they have received direct authorization from the Town Attorney or a Court Order. 3. If there is a Court Order or a subpoena, legal advice should be sought from the Town Attorney or from the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom. 4. If the court order is in the form of a search warrant, it is executable immediately. Ask for legal counsel to be available to assure the search conforms to the terms of the search warrant. 5. If the court order is in the form of a search warrant issued under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (USA Patriot Act amendment): a. Request legal counsel to be available. b. Respect “gag order”, i.e. the library staff cannot disclose that a warrant has been served or that records have been produced. c. The library and its staff must comply with this order.
(State of Vermont)