Student records, including library borrowing records, are strictly protected by state and federal privacy laws.
- Protecting the rights of library users to view and read materials without fear of intrusion, intimidation, or reprisal is a core value for all librarians. To safeguard the privacy of individuals in their use of the library, Rickman Library maintains the confidentiality of library records.
The registration and circulation records of the Rickman Library are confidential.
- Registration records include any information the library requires users (faculty or staff members, students, alumni, or special borrowers) to provide in order to become eligible to access or borrow materials. Such information includes addresses and telephone numbers.
- Circulation records include all information that identifies a faculty or staff member, student, alumnus, or special borrower as borrowing or accessing particular materials or information. Included in these records are: Web browsing histories and reserve materials.
- Students and faculty seeking to use an item that is loaned will occasionally request the identity of the person who has the item checked out. Under no circumstances shall library staff reveal the individual’s name or other identifying information. If need is sufficient (e.g. item needed for placement on reserve, use in class, or personal use when loan period has expired), library staff may contact the individual with the item and request that it be returned for use by another patron.
No library employee shall reveal the identity of a borrower to any requestor.
Exceptions:
- Except in accordance with proper judicial order and with permission of the designated administrative officer(s) of the University, no person shall make known in any manner any information contained in such records listed above. In the absence of such judicial orders or University administrative permission, those to whom information will be denied include, but are not limited to, faculty, staff (including library staff except in the pursuit of their assigned duties), parents, students, campus security, police, FBI agents, and military personnel.
- Library staff are to refer any official requests for the above information to the Director of Library Services, who will contact the University administrative officers and/or University legal counsel as appropriate.
