Now that I've got your attention - the truth is I am looking for good sample library privacy policies. I am working on drafting one for a public library in California.
Do any blog readers have library privacy policies that you are proud of? Know of any?
I am especially interested in policies focused on confidentiality of patron records (broadly defined).
I'm really proud of one that I helped to create at the Marin County Free Library: http://co.marin.ca.us/depts/lb/main/policies/privacy.cfm We pulled in anything and everything from all of our different services, and put it in one place.
Posted by: Sarah Houghton-Jan (Librarian in Black) | September 03, 2008 at 04:16 PM
The Marin County Free Library's policy is one that I helped work on: http://co.marin.ca.us/depts/lb/main/policies/privacy.cfm
The MARINet consortium also has a privacy policy: http://marinet.lib.ca.us/screens/privacy_policy.html
You may note a strong similarity between the two.
Posted by: David Dodd | September 02, 2008 at 02:28 PM
You've probably looked at it, but I think the San Francisco public library policy has some good paragraphs in it, and some eloquent wording.
I'm also working on a policy, and I am torn between completeness and what I think an average user will actually read. I'm thinking of a "teaser" page that gives just a few short sentences (state law, records confidentiality, freedom of speech and thought), then leave the full policy for those who want more. In fact, it might be good to come up with a general statement that could be used by any California library -- ? good idea?
Posted by: Karen Coyle | August 30, 2008 at 11:29 AM
Mary
The State of NM has a Patron Privacy statute
you can see the whole thing from our webpage at
http://www.nmstatelibrary.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=242&Itemid=614#18-9-1
Posted by: Geri | August 29, 2008 at 11:40 AM
The Michigan Libraries Wiki, http://mlcnet.org/wiki , includes links to many sample library policies.
The privacy policy wiki page is found at: http://mlcnet.org/wiki/index.php/Privacy_Policy
Posted by: Ruth Dukelow | August 29, 2008 at 06:38 AM
Here is Multnomah County Library's policy: http://multcolib.org/about/pol-privacy.html
Posted by: andrea | August 28, 2008 at 05:12 PM