It is the policy of the Northampton Area Public Library to comply with all judicial processes while preserving user confidentiality to the extent allowed by law. This policy explains user privacy and confidentiality rights, the steps the Library takes to respect and protect user’s privacy when using library resources, and how the Library deals with personally identifiable information that it may collect from its users.
In accordance with the Pennsylvania Library Code, records related to the circulation of library materials, which contain the names of library users, or other personally identifying details shall be considered confidential in nature and will be revealed only to the library cardholder or used by the library during the normal course of business. This may include:
- Library card registration information;
- Titles and number of items checked out;
- Titles and number of items on hold;
- Account information regarding fees;
- Interlibrary loan requests and transactions; or,
- Public access computer activity.
These records are confidential and will not be made available to anyone other than the user named in the record or his/her legal guardian, except by a court order in a criminal proceeding (24 P.S. §4428), or a federal investigative proceeding (USA PATRIOT Act of 2001).
The Library also considers program registration and attendance lists as well as information questions asked by users to be confidential. The Library will release these records only for compelling reasons as determined by library administration and legal counsel, or by appropriate court order.
The Library permits only authorized library employees with assigned confidential passwords to access personal data stored in the Library’s computer system for the purpose of performing library work. The Library does not sell or lease users' personal information to companies, universities, or individuals. It will not disclose any personal data it collects from users to any other party except:
- When required by law;
- When requested by the account holder;
- When requested by a minor user’s parent or legal guardian;
- To enforce the Library’s service policies, including, but not limited to, circulation regulations and user behavior guidelines;
- To contact users during the course of the Library’s business including affiliated entities such as library friends; or,
- To protect the health, welfare and safety of library users.
Users may allow a party to act on his/her behalf for checkout of materials by sending his/her library card with another party. This must be coordinated ahead of time to be added to the user’s information.
This policy is subject to change at any time without notice. Updates to the policy may be obtained from the Library.
Approved by the Library Board of Trustees on 2/8/2024.
