Patron Records Policy

The library recognizes the need for maintaining the confidentiality of patron records as mandated by state statute and by the policy approved by the Old Colony Library Network on September 23, 2002. The following standards of confidentiality assure patrons that the information they provide for library accounts will not be abused.

Under no circumstances will any information from the patron database be released or utilized for anything other than library-related OCLN business.

A request from any person or agency for information on a patron in the OCLN database who has registered at another library should be referred to the library at which the patron was registered for a determination of policy.

All staff members, both paid and volunteer, with access to the patron database of the Network are informed of the need for and educated about maintaining confidentiality of patron records.

Public access to workstations in which the patron database is readily accessible is strictly forbidden.

Confidentiality of Library patron databases is mandated by:
General Laws of Massachusetts, Title XII, Chapter 78:Section 7. Public Libraries; established cities & towns; records.

Adopted 1/8/2003, reviewed 04/19/06