Library Privacy and Confidentiality Policy

The Emmanuel d’Alzon Library supports the American Library Association's Code of Ethics principle stating that: "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."

In a library setting, a user's right to privacy includes the freedom to inquire about any information without having others question or examine them. The Library's responsibility with regard to confidentiality is to possess the least amount of personally identifiable information (information that identifies a unique individual) on a user while keeping it private. This includes, but is not limited to, circulation records, reserve records, overdue notices, interlibrary loan requests, reference interactions, and website visits.

Library staff, including student staff, may not make any user information available to any person or agency, with the exception of Library and University staff for the enforcement of Library rules or for resolving research inquiries (ex. fines, lost books, interlibrary loan requests, reference questions) unless issued a warrant, subpoena or court order under a federal, state or local law. In the event of such an issuance, Library staff will notify the appropriate campus designee and/or University attorney(s).