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Confidentiality of
Library Records Policy
The
confidentiality of library records is protected by California State Law, and
also by the practices of the Humboldt County Library, which safeguards a
borrower’s’ right to privacy.
Library
patron registration and borrowing records are confidential under the Public
Records Act, California Government Code, Section 6267:
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All registration and
circulation records of any library which is in whole or in part supported by
public funds shall remain confidential and shall not be disclosed to any
person, local agency, or state agency except as follows:
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By a person acting
within the scope of his or her duties within the administration of the
library |
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By a person authorized,
in writing, by the individual to whom the records pertain, to inspect
the records |
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By order of the
appropriate superior court |
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As used in the section, the
term “registration records” includes any information which a library
requires a patron to provide in order to become eligible to borrow books and
other materials, and the term “circulation records” includes any information
which identifies the patrons borrowing particular books and other material.
This section shall not apply to statistical reports of registration and
circulation nor to records of fines collected by the library. |
The
Humboldt County Library specifically recognizes any document, record, or other
method of storing information retained, received, or generated by the Library
that identifies a person or persons having requested, used, or borrowed library
material to be confidential.
To protect the privacy of patrons, the above noted information
will not be revealed until the library is served with a court order which
specifically identifies the information required and the purpose for the
request. Upon receipt of such a court order, the Library Director shall consult
Humboldt County Counsel.
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Adopted by the
Humboldt County Board of Supervisors, September 17, 2002
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