Ask a Librarian

Is my library record private/confidential?

Librarians take the confidential nature of information about patrons very seriously. Everything about your record and library use is confidential and includes:

• What materials you have checked out or used in the library
• What materials you have checked out or used in the past
• What e-resources you have accessed at the library or at a remote location
• What reference questions you have asked
• What fines you may have or may have had in the past

To keep your record/library use information confidential, the library:

• Uses the college's network security to secure information retained online
• Designs online retention processes to delete all extended-use history for print materials and online database and Internet information (print materials deletes use after "last patron," online search information is deleted every 24 hours)
• Requires extensive training for library staff concerning the protection of patron rights and information
• Records and retains any and all use statistics in the aggregate rather than specific to the question, the source or the user

You may provide the library with a written statement that designates someone else access to your record. Please check with library staff for the appropriate procedure.