Copiah-Jefferson Regional Library (CJRL) is committed to user confidentiality. The confidentiality of library records is a core part of library ethics and CJRL follows the Code of Ethics of the American Library Association.
Confidentiality extends to information sought/received, 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.
Library policies concerning confidentiality safeguard patrons’ rights to free speech and privacy. These policies prevent such scenarios as (1) a teacher discovering what books his or her pupils are reading (2) a spouse from finding out if his/her partner is checking out books on divorce, child custody or other volatile issues and (3) local, state and federal authorities searching library records without a subpoena/warrant.
Because the Library is unable to verify with certainty the identity of a person who telephones for assistance, our administrative policies restrict the type of information that library staff may provide to a patron by telephone. In addition, the Library's interest in protecting the confidentiality of patron records restricts the type of information which staff may provide if a patron were to come to the library with a card belonging to a friend or family member.
The Library does not maintain a history of what a library user has previously checked out once books and materials have been returned on time, unless the patron specifically requests this capability on his/her patron registration form. If/when this capability is activated, it does not provide retroactive tracking capability.,
When fines accrue on a patron's account, the Library does maintain records of items that have been borrowed but returned after the due date, or are still outstanding on the patron's record. When overdue materials are returned and all associated fines are paid, the information associated with the library card number is deleted.
Circulation, registration information, and information retrieval records may not be disclosed except to:
The Library does not collect personal information about a library user when a user visits the Library's websites or registers for a program unless the user authorizes the Library to have that information.
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.
CJRL does not retain a patron’s browsing history on any of its public access computers. Neither does CJRL store any patron information on any servers or computer stations outside of its central circulation computer.
Patrons are responsible for properly closing out of their personal accounts on the public computers and for logging out of the computers so that patrons coming behind them on the same computer cannot access their private accounts.
Patrons are capable of storing personal files on most of CJRL’s public computers. This capability is for patron’s personal convenience. Patron’s have complete control over this storage capability. This storage is intended for temporary use. CJRL periodically searches for and destroys patron created files remaining on the computers. Patrons are responsible for destroying any files that they intentionally created on a publicly accessed computer to which they do not want other persons to have access.
CJRL’s websites contain links to other sites. CJRL is not responsible for the privacy practices of other sites, including providers of online database services for which the Library subscribes, which may be different from the privacy practices described in this policy. The Library encourages library users to become familiar with privacy policies of other sites visited, including linked sites.
A cookie is a small data file written to a computer’s hard drive. They are generated by web sites to provide users with a personalized and often simplified online experience. CJRL does not employ cookies. Certain third party database services within our site as well as general Internet sites will generate and store cookies on the computer’s hard drives if patrons engage in such services. If patrons choose not to accept the cookies generated by such third party database applications, they will not be able to use some of those services online. Be assured that cookies, by themselves, cannot be used to reveal or discover the identity of the individual user nor are they collected or stored on any CJRL server. Acceptance of any third party database cookie on this site will not compromise patron anonymity while using our web site.
CJRL does not provide patrons with email accounts nor allow patrons to utilize staff email accounts for the patron’s personal use.
CJRL offers a wireless network that allows patrons to connect to the Internet at any of CJRL's locations. Data accessed and sent over the CJRL's wireless network is not encrypted.
The library record of a child has the same confidentiality protection as that of any other patron. However, because CJRL understands that instances may arise when it is necessary for a parent or legal guardian to be provided with information about their child's library record (for example, when a child has a fine, or when a child has misplaced library materials) there are procedures that will enable parents to obtain information about a minor child's records.
In all instances and regardless of circumstances, it is the policy of CJRL to safeguard access to patron library records and restrict access to that information only to the patron who owns the library card or to the parent/legal guardian of a minor.
To help us ensure the confidentiality of library records, please keep your library card in a secure place. If your card is lost or stolen, please report the loss immediately to any CJRL branch.
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)
CJRL does not utilize RFID technology.
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