Wisconsin State
Statute 43.30 and the Whitefish Bay Public Library protect the privacy of
library users. Confidentiality extends to information sought or received, and to
materials consulted, borrowed, or acquired, and includes database search
records, reference interviews, and all other personally identifiable uses of
library materials, facilities, or services.
The First Amendment of the
United States Constitution guarantees freedom of speech and of the press. This
requires the corresponding right to hear what is spoken and read what is
written, free from fear of intrusion, intimidation, or reprisal. Confidentiality
is essential to protect the exercise of these rights from invasions of privacy.
The Whitefish Bay
Public Library is an impartial resource providing information on all points of
view, available to all persons regardless of age, race, religion, national
origin, social or political views, economic status, or any other characteristic.
The
Whitefish Bay Public Library requires a parent or guardian to sign library card
registration of a child under 16 years of age. The
Library supports the right of that parent or guardian to have access to the
child’s library record, and the issuance of a card grants consent to parental
access. The parent or guardian is
ultimately responsible for the materials checked out by that child.
At age 16, a child may sign for a library card on his/her own.
However, the parent or guardian is still responsible for all fines and
fees incurred by that child until the child turns 18 years of age.
Information
about any patron or materials they have checked out or requested will NOT be
given over the phone.
The Whitefish Bay
Public Library recognizes that law enforcement agencies and officers may
occasionally believe that library records contain information that would be
helpful to the investigation of criminal activity. If there is a reasonable
basis to believe such records are necessary to the progress of an investigation
or prosecution, our judicial system provides the mechanism for seeking release
of such confidential records. The issuance of a court order, following a showing
of good cause based on specific facts by a court of competent jurisdiction, is
required for release of such information. In
the case of a federal investigation, the Patriot Act allows federal officials
access to confidential records without court order or subpoena.
Reviewed and approved by the Whitefish Bay Public Library Board of Trustee October 10, 2006.