Library Privacy Issues at Public Library is Dead?

Public Library is dedicated to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of its library patrons. A public library will not disclose records which reveal a person’s borrowing information to the third party. A friend told me that our local County library system now allows their patrons to pick up their holds on an open bookshelf, including the ILL items. The reserve shelf is arranged by patron’s last name alphabetically. As a librarian, I was stunted to learn that new policy. I am sure that the new policy will affect the patron’s library visit. My friend also told me that she stopped going to the public library simply because she does not feel comfortable. She is also worry about her borrowing information, such as what kinds of book she requested is “open” to the other patrons who have the same last name. She also heard that the library has lost a great amount of popular items such as DVD and musical CDs.

It is just a few years ago, we, the library staff, was trained and was prohibited to disclose any information with the library cardholder’s family or friends. This also applied to the release of information to the parents’ of minors when the minor has their own library card. I am so surprised that the library has implemented this new policy because in some states, it is against the law, such as Massachusetts. Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 78, Section 7 (1994 edition): “Part of the records of a public library which reveals the identity and intellectual pursuits of a person using such library shall not be a public record as defined by clause Twenty-sixth of section seven of chapter four.” The policy extends to circulation records (borrowing records, registration records, reserves or fine records), interlibrary loan transactions, registration records, database search records and reference interviews. Except in cases involving the USA Patriot Act, no records can be made available to any inquiries, governmental or otherwise, unless a subpoena has been served by a court of competent jurisdiction and the library administration has consulted with legal counsel to determine if it is proper to release the requested information.

What happened to our Mid-Western States???