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Privacy & Confidentiality Policy
Privacy and Confidentiality Policy
The Onondaga County Public Library (OCPL) and its staff respect your right to privacy when using library facilities and services.
The state of New York also respects your right to privacy. Library records that are deemed confidential are covered by New York State Law signed on June 13, 1988 (I CPLR 4509).
§4509. Library records
Library records, which contain names or other personally identifying details regarding the users of public, free association, school, college and university libraries and library systems of this state, including but not limited to records related to the circulation of library materials, computer database searches, interlibrary loan transactions, reference queries, requests for photocopies of library materials, title reserve requests, or the use of audio-visual materials, films or records, shall be confidential and shall not be disclosed except that such records may be disclosed to the extent necessary for the proper operation of such library and shall be disclosed upon request or consent of the user or pursuant to subpoena, court order or where otherwise required by statute.
That is, the library staff will not respond to requests about a library patron’s use of the library’s collections or computers from a third party or any agency of government (local, state, or federal), unless:
- Necessary for the proper operation of the library;
- Pursuant to a subpoena or court order;
- Specifically required by law.
In addition, OCPL will not:
- Sell, trade or rent any customer information, including e-mail addresses; or
- Disclose personally identifiable information or credit or debit card information to third parties, except to complete a payment transaction or for library debt collection purposes.
The OCPL Board of Trustees has authorized staff to request identification from library users as necessary and appropriate for use of library services, such as obtaining a card, placing and picking up holds, using library computers or registering for a program. Information communicated under these circumstances is kept confidential. Refusal to identify one’s self under these circumstances may be grounds for denial of service.
Last updated December 7, 2010