Patron Privacy Policy

Last Updated Date

The Wasco County Library Service District (WCLSD) is committed to user confidentiality. The confidentiality of library records is a core part of library ethics and WCLSD follows the American Library Association Code of Ethics.

Confidentiality and Your Library Record

The records of the WCLSD which reveal the identity and intellectual pursuits of a person using WCLSD Libraries shall not be a public record.

Confidentiality extends to information sought or received, and materials consulted, borrowed, and includes database search records, reference interviews, circulation records, interlibrary loan transactions, registration records, and all other personally identifiable uses of library materials, facilities, or services.

Circulation, registration information, and information retrieval records may not be disclosed except to

  1. The cardholder (with card or other proper id).
  2. Staff of WCLSD libraries acting within the scope of their duties in the administration of the library and in facilitating interlibrary loans.
  3. Persons authorized by the cardholder to access the individual's records.
  4. Representatives of any local, state, or federal government, pursuant to subpoena or search warrant authorized under the authority of federal, state, or local law relating to civil, criminal, or investigative power. The Library Director will consult with legal counsel to determine if the subpoena or search warrant is in proper form and if there is a valid basis for its issuance before providing confidential information.

The Library may occasionally conduct a promotional campaign to inform the community of our services. The Library at those times may use patron email or postal addresses for the Library's internal mailing lists.

The Library does not sell, lease, or otherwise distribute or disclose patron name, email address, postal address, telephone number, or other personal information to outside parties.

Confidentiality and Our Website

When patrons visit the Wasco County Library Service District website, the Library may collect and store information only to measure the number of visitors to different areas of the site to assist in making the site more useful. The information may include:

  • the address (IP) of the patron's computer or Internet provider
  • the date and time the patron accessed our site
  • the pages that are accessed and how patrons navigate the site
  • the Internet address of the website that referred the patron to the Library's site
  • Website data is separate from individual library account data. The Library cannot look up patron library records to determine what websites were visited. The WCLSD also offers a wireless network that allows patrons to connect to the Internet at any of WCLSD's locations. Please be aware that data accessed and sent over the wireless networks is not encrypted.

Forms and email

If a patron initiates a reference inquiry or subscribes to the Library's newsletter, this information is considered as part of the borrower account and is protected as outlined above.

Online suggestions and other general email to the library which do not apply to borrowing or intellectual pursuits may be considered public records.

If patrons leave the WCLSD site

The WCLSD web site contains links to external websites not maintained by the Wasco County Library Service District. The Library cannot be responsible for user privacy when visiting outside websites. Please consult the privacy policies of those websites should there be questions regarding their use.

Patron Responsibility:

  • Protect your library card
    • It is your responsibility to notify the library immediately if your card is lost or stolen or if you believe someone is using your card or card number without your permission. We encourage you to protect your password for your privacy and security.
  • Keep account information current
    • You are responsible for keeping your information accurate and up-to-date.

Families

We respect the privacy of all library patrons, no matter their age. Parents, guardians or caretakers of a child under age 18 who wish to obtain access to a child’s library records, including the number or titles of materials checked out or overdue, must provide the child’s library card or card number.

ADOPTED by the Wasco County Library Service District Board of Directors