Hennepin County Library
Board Policy

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Section: LB2


DATA PRIVACY OF LIBRARY RECORDS

Tracking Record:

Date Approved: 6/16/04
Previous Policy Dated: 5/23/01
Review Date: 6/2007

 

According to the Minnesota Data Practices Act [MN Statutes §13.40, subd. 2 - Private Data for Library Borrowers], the following data is private and may not be disclosed for other than library purposes except pursuant to a court order:
  1. Data that link the names of library users with specific materials or subjects either requested or borrowed, and

  2. Data supplied by patrons when they apply for a card, other than the name of the borrower.
All Library employees are advised that such records shall not be made available to any agency of state, federal or local government except pursuant to such process, order, or subpoena as may be authorized under the authority of, and pursuant to, federal, state or local law relating to civil, criminal, or administrative discovery procedures or legislative investigatory power.

The Library will resist the issuance or enforcement of any such process, order, or subpoena until such time as a proper showing of good cause has been made in a court of competent jurisdiction.

The Minnesota Data Practices Act [MN Statutes section 13.40 subd. 2 - Private Data for Library Borrowers] states the following with regards to materials requested by and held for a specific patron: a library may release reserved materials to a family member or other person who resides with a library patron and who is picking up the material on behalf of the patron. A patron may request that reserved materials be released only to the patron.

 

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