As the choice of books and other library materials, along with the use of the informational resources of the library is essentially a private endeavor on the part of each individual library user, the library shall make every reasonable and responsible effort to see that information about the patron and his/her choices remains confidential; as outlined in Chapter 26 Privacy Information Act of 1976.

For people to make full and effective use of library resources they must feel unconstrained by the possibility that others may become aware of the books they read, the materials they use, the questions they ask. The awareness of the existence of such a possibility inhibits free usage of the library, its resources and facilities, and is contrary to the ALA Library Bill of Rights and the Freedom to Read Statement.

Therefore, the Southside Regional Library has adopted the following guidelines concerning the disclosure of information about library patrons:

No information regarding or including:

• A user's name (or whether an individual is a registered borrower or has been a user).
• A user's address.
• A user's telephone number.
• The library's circulation records and their contents as pertains to individual users.
• The library's borrower's records and their contents.
• The number or character of questions asked by user.
• The frequency or content of a user's lawful visits to the library or any other information supplied to the library (or gathered by it) shall not be given, made available or disclosed to any individual, corporation, institution, government agent or agency without a valid process, order or subpoena.
• When library personnel are served with a subpoena, search warrant, or other order from a court of competent jurisdiction, they should immediately notify the Director.

Library staff will not leave messages (on machines or with other individuals) containing information mentioning specific titles when we call about items on hold, arrived Interlibrary Loans, or about overdue materials.

• If library staff is unable to speak to the patron directly, we will leave a message disclosing only the type and number of items that are available.
• In the case of overdues, we will only disclose the type and number of items overdue and the date they were due. We are unable to disclose the titles of these items except to the borrower.
• After hearing the message, the borrower is welcome to call the library back, supply their patron barcode number, and we will disclose the title(s) to them. The patron can also visit the library in person.

The library recognizes that only through continued public confidence in the fact that these guidelines are indeed being upheld, can the public maintain its confidence in the public library. It is this confidence that is vital to the library's role in the community and the community's right to know.

Amended: 3/19/03, 9/27/06