Rationale:

Trexler Library recognizes the importance of the privacy of library users in accordance with Article III of the Code of Ethics of the American Library Association (ALA) which states:

"We protect each library user's right to privacy and confidentiality with respect to information sought or received and resources consulted, borrowed, acquired or transmitted."

Library users have the right to be informed about library policies and procedures that have an impact on their personal privacy.  This policy establishes guidelines for the protection of personally identifiable information contained in library records or accessible within the library or through its computer systems.

The Policy:

Confidentiality of Library Records
 
Trexler Library will not respond to any informal requests by a third party for personally identifiable information about any library user.  Such information includes database search records, reference interviews, email requests for information, circulation records, interlibrary loan records, and other personally identifiable uses of library materials, facilities or services.

Personally identifiable information may be released only to a law enforcement agency after presentation of an order by a court of competent jurisdiction issued in proper form (a legal subpoena or search warrant) that shows good cause based on specific facts.

Personally Identifiable Information

Trexler Library staff will only collect information needed to contact library users, such as mailing address, e-mail address, phone number, etc. in order to ensure the proper notification, lending and return of library materials and the collection of fines. Records will be retained for the shortest length of time necessary to facilitate library operations.  Paper copies containing personally identifiable information will be disposed of in a secure manner on a regular basis.

Access to Electronic Resources and Web server Usage Tracking

Trexler Library has a number of electronic resources made available through license agreements which require that access be restricted to DeSales University students, staff and faculty with valid accounts. 

Our system administrators track the usage of our web site and other library systems and services accessed through our servers.  Information is collected about the IP address and links followed by users of our system.  This transaction history log is not stored in such a way as to identify particular library users and the information they access, but it is aggregated for multiple users and maintained to generate statistics about our Web site.
 
Further Information

• Links to useful resources on privacy and confidentiality are maintained by ALA on its Privacy Resources for Librarians, Library Users and Families Page.
  Click Here
• Guidelines for Librarians on the U.S.A Patriot ACT: What to do before, during and after a "knock at the door?" 5 June, 2003
  Click Here
• Mitrano, Tracy "Taking the Mystique out of the USA-Patriot Act: Information, Process and Protocol." Cornell University, 2002.  17 April, 2003
  Click here
• "Privacy Policy: Walter E. Helmke Library".  Indiana Uiversity-Purdue University, Fort Wayne, 2003. 17 April 2003
  Click here