Confidentiality Policy

The library recognizes that circulation and other records identifying the names of library users with specific materials are confidential in nature. Such such records shall not be made available to any agency of the state, federal or local government or to any individual not specifically authorized by the library except pursuant to such process, order, or subpoena as may be authorized under the authority of and pursuant to state, federal, or local law relating to civil or administrative discovery procedures or legislative investigatory power.

This policy defines what information the Louisville Public Library collects about patrons, and how that information may and may not be used under Ohio law and library policy.

Confidentiality of Library Records Legislation
Ohio Revised Code 149.432

This past year, the legislature of the State of Ohio passed a law whose intent is to protect the confidentiality of library records. Library records include the following:

• Library card application form
  
• Circulation record
  
• Reference request
  
• Hold request
  
• Interlibrary loan records
  
• Computer sign-up sheets
  
• Summer reading program lists
  

This law provides that library records and patron information are confidential, with the exception of a few instances including the following:

1. The request of a parent, guardian, or custodian of a minor under 18
   
2. The production of some form of a court order or in light of an exigent circumstance
   
3. The patron's consent to release of his information
   
4. Use in various administrative library purposes
   
5. To document improper use of the internet at the library
   

Because of this new legislation, which is designed to protect every patron of the library, we are asking that each person who wishes to allow another person to check his/her records or to check materials for him/her, fill out a form (one time only) to be kept on file at the library. A copy of the form is available below. Thank you for your cooperation.

Louisville Public Library

Effective 10-5-2000, all records of library patrons are protected by the newly enacted patron confidentiality law (Section 149.432 of the Ohio Revised Code).

To comply with this new law, the Louisville Public Library needs a patron's permission to allow another person (spouse, family member, friend, etc.) to access his/her record and/or check out materials for that patron.

The Library will keep these forms on file for the protection of all. Copies of the pertinent sections of the law are available. This does not apply to minors (persons under 18 years of age). The parent, guardian, or custodian of a child has the right of access to the child's records.

I,___________________________________________, give my permission to _______________________, _____________________________________(relationship), to access my patron records and check out materials for me. Date:_________________________________________