PRIVACY STATEMENT

Our Commitment to Privacy

Protecting patron privacy is very important to the Provo City Library. The Library protects the confidentiality of patron information as part of its commitment to intellectual freedom. Confidentiality and privacy are essential to free speech, free thought, and free association.

Confidentiality of Library Records

The Provo City Library supports the laws of Utah, which tell us that most library records are confidential and protected. We will not make any information about you or your use of the library services or materials available to anyone or any group except:

• If you or your legal guardian requests such information.
• If there's a subpoena, search, warrant, or a court order we will provide information to law enforcement personnel after consulting with legal counsel to assure the document is in proper form.
• If there's an emergency where public health or safety may require an immediate decision, the Director, Assistant Director, or other designated staff member will be contacted and legal counsel will be consulted when possible. 

Information Collected and Use

We collect information when you obtain a library card, register for library programs, subscribe to a newsletter, fill out a form, or enter information on our website.

When registering for a library card, patron information is entered into the Library's computer system from a completed application. After the application data is checked for accuracy, the application is destroyed/deleted.

We may use the information we collect from you in the following ways:

• To personalize the users experience and to allow us to deliver the type of content in which you are most interested.
• To improve our website in order to serve you better.
• To allow us to respond to your customer service requests.
• To quickly process your transactions.
• To send periodic emails regarding events and services at the Provo City Library.

Online Fine Payments and Collections

The Library offers cardholders the option of paying fines and room rental fees online and at self-check kiosks. Payments are encrypted to protect financial information and credit card data is not retained by the library.

In the case of a patron's failure to return materials, the Library may disclose circulation information to a collection agency hired to secure the return of or payment for library materials. The collection agency considers all information confidential and does not sell or share any patron information.

Third Party Partners

The Library has teamed up with reputable third-party partners to provide certain online services to its patrons. The information you submit to the Library may be provided to those third parties on a confidential basis so they can assist us in providing these services. In cases where patrons leave the Library's website to visit one of its partners' websites, they are encouraged to learn about the privacy policies of the websites they visit.

We do not sell information collected on our website to outside parties. We use return email addresses to answer the email we receive. Mailing addresses are used to send fine notices and are not used for any other purpose or sold to outside parties.

External Websites

The Provo City Library website contains links to external websites not maintained by the Library. The Library cannot be responsible for patron privacy when visiting other websites. Once patrons link to another website, they are now subject to that website's privacy policy or statement, if the website has one.

Applicability

This privacy statement applies to all Provo City Library patrons. The parents or legal guardians of patrons under the age of 18 may have access to their child's borrowing record or any other identifying records. Otherwise, this policy fully applies to minor patrons.

Board of Directors
Provo City Library
Approved November 13, 2019