Patron Privacy Statement
Our Commitment to Our Patrons
The Allen County Public Library is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of patron records. The library will not sell, share or trade our patrons’ names, personal identifiable information, or library account information with any other entity except those working under contract or as required by law. Nor will we send mailings to our patrons on behalf of other organizations not directly affiliated with the Allen County Public Library.
Information Collected
The library strives to collect the least amount of personally identifiable information from patrons. We keep your information as long as required by Indiana State Law. The library does not engage in practices that might place personally identifiable information on public view without patron consent.
It is standard library practice to collect the following information:
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Information required to register for a library card such as name, address, telephone number, email address, birthdate
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Library barcode number or guest pass number used to log on to public computers
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Records of items currently checked-out, requested, interlibrary loans, fines/fees owed, payments made
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Sign-up information for library programs
The library uses analytics and outreach tools provided by third-party services to better understand how visitors use our website and to improve communication about library programs, services, and events.
These tools may include services from companies such as Google and Meta Platforms, Inc. (Facebook and Instagram), as well as other similar platforms we may use in the future.
These tools may use cookies or similar technologies to collect information such as:
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Pages visited on our website
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Interactions such as clicks, registrations, or form submissions
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General location (city or regional level)
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Device, browser, and operating system information
This information helps us:
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Evaluate and improve website performance
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Measure the effectiveness of outreach and communications
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Share relevant information about library services and events
We do not receive personally identifiable information from these services unless you choose to provide it directly to us. The services may use this data in accordance with their own privacy policies.
Access to Patron Information
All patron records are confidential and may only be disclosed to:
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Library staff performing job duties
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Cardholders upon proof of identity
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Parents or guardians of minor children (limited access)
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Under court order or subpoena
If the library cardholder is under the age of 18, the parents or legal guardians may only be given information associated with materials that have accrued fines and/or fees (See Circulation Policy).
Library patrons may access their personally identifiable information and are responsible for keeping it accurate and up-to-date. This can be done online or in person. Proof of identity is required to update information in person and a password is required to update information online.
The Allen County Public Library may use your information and library usage history to:
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Develop reports based on aggregate data
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Send you information about upcoming events and programs based on your borrowing history and past event/program attendance
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Send you information on new additions to our collection, based on personal interest categories that you choose
Items placed on hold for library patrons are shelved by the patron’s last name and the last four digits of their library card number for pick-up in the public areas of the Library.
Third-Party Vendors
The library enters into agreements with third-party vendors to provide online services, digital collections, streaming media content and more. Because third-party vendors have their own privacy policies and confidentiality practices, your interaction with their systems will be governed by their individual privacy policies.
Surveillance
The library uses digital video surveillance inside and outside of most of our library locations. Digital video is kept for 30 days. Video is only available to view by authorized library staff.
Enforcement
Library patrons who have questions, concerns or complaints regarding the library’s handling of their privacy and confidentiality rights should request to speak to a library manager. The library will respond in a timely manner and may conduct an investigation or review of practices and procedures.
Library records are not made available to any agency of state, federal or local government without a subpoena, warrant, court order or other legal document requiring the library to do so. All staff have been trained to refer any law enforcement requests to library administrators.
The library takes seriously its obligation to protect the privacy of every patron. This commitment to patrons’ privacy may appear to cause inconvenience on occasion. However, this is a small price to pay for the assurance that an individual’s reading preferences and use of the library will remain exclusively a person’s business.