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The USA PATRIOT Act, or “Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing
Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act,” was enacted
October 26, 2001 . The Act amends over 15 federal statutes including criminal
procedures, computer fraud and abuse, foreign intelligence, wiretapping,
immigration, and the privacy of student records. These amendments increase FBI
and law enforcement authority to gain access to business records, medical
records, educational records and library records, including stored electronic
data and communications. They also expand the laws governing wiretaps and “trap
and trace” phone devices to Internet and electronic communications.
As citizens, librarians understand the importance of maintaining national
security and public safety, and recognize that law enforcement agencies and
officers may occasionally believe that library records contain information which
would be helpful to the investigation of acts of terrorism or threats to the
security of our nation. If there is a reasonable basis to believe such records
are necessary to the progress of an investigation or prosecution, the American
judicial system provides the mechanism for seeking release of such confidential
records, and librarians are committed to cooperating in such inquiries as
required by law.
However, while intended to enhance the government’s ability to prevent and fight
terrorism, certain provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act expand the authority of the
federal government to engage in surveillance and investigative activities that
threaten the privacy rights of library users and undermine the confidentiality
that supports the free exchange of ideas so critical for democracy. These
provisions of the Act do not protect us from terrorism. Rather, they cast a wide
net of suspicion and surveillance over the community of readers, researchers and
information-seekers.
The Coastline librarians believe that it is especially crucial for a free
society to remain vigilant against threats to its liberties, including threats
to the privacy rights of library users, during periods of national stress and
crisis, when those liberties are most at risk. It has long been the professional
ethic of librarianship to protect the confidentiality of those who use library
services, and that protection must especially continue in these trying times.
LIBRARY RECORDS RETENTION POLICY
The Coastline librarians have an ethical responsibility, based on state statute,
to protect the confidentiality of library users, including information sought or
received, and materials consulted, borrowed, acquired, or transmitted, or any
other personally identifiable uses of library materials, facilities, or
services. As caretakers of library users’ personal information, Coastline
librarians have the responsibility to prevent access to that information that
will result in patron privacy violations. It is the policy of the Coastline
librarians to guard against such violations through system security and
appropriate data practices.
The libraries cannot guarantee absolute privacy for library users. Electronic
data or activity can, and will, be secured internally, but network traffic and
data external to library physical networks that passes through a public
communications network is outside the control of the libraries to secure.
However, library staff will ensure that privacy is taken into account whenever
information about individuals is gathered and stored. The minimum information,
whether electronic or print, necessary to meet legitimate library goals will be
kept, and it will be kept only as long as truly needed for library purposes or
as required by records retention laws.
1. Borrower circulation information is automatically expunged by the Coastline
computer system upon return of materials from circulation and is not
retrievable, i.e., the link between borrower and material checked out is broken
upon return unless Reading History is activated.
2. Users of library computers for Internet access or any other purpose will be
asked only for identifying information that is absolutely necessary for the
operation of the library. Any such necessary information that is obtained will
be eliminated at the end of each day. No search histories, bookmarks, word
processing documents, files, or any other patron-created computer data are saved
on any public terminals. Disk clean up is run on each public computer nightly.
Cookies, browser cached files, recycle bin data, and all other “deleted” or
“session-related” files are eliminated at the end of each day up to the ability
of any available software to execute. The libraries do not allow use of email
clients on public computers so patron email messages sent or received using
their own web-based accounts are not housed on library servers.
3. Paper applications for library cards will be kept no longer than one week
after entry of the data into the Coastline system and verification of accuracy.
4. Information relating to interlibrary loan transactions will be retained by
local libraries no longer than sixty days following termination of a
transaction. The ESO will retain such information for in accordance with the
records retention policy of the college.
5. Information on use of library meeting rooms or other facilities will be kept
no longer than is necessary for operation of the library, including application
forms containing names, organizational affiliation, phone numbers, or other
data, and calendars of usage.
As a service to users Coastline provides links to resources maintained by other information providers. Coastline does not control these resources, nor does it endorse any commercial providers or their products mentioned anywhere on this website. No warranty--expressed or implied--is made regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, or usefulness of any information. Coastline is not responsible for the content or the availability or accessibility of these resources.
Coastline automatically collects electronically generated information about your visit to the Coastline website, such as the date, operating system, and type of browser used. The sole purpose of collecting this information is to improve services to Coastline patrons. Personally identifiable information is not recorded. The data collected will never be divulged to any third party and is for internal Coastline usage only.
Reading History Privacy Notice
You may choose to save your circulation history in order keep track of items you have checked out in the past
by utilizing Reading History. Please be aware that your circulation history will be stored on library computer systems to provide that information to you. This option could affect the privacy or confidentiality of your record if we are required by law via subpoena, court order, warrant or other legal mechanism to provide that information to law enforcement.
Library Bill of Rights
I. Books and other library resources should be
provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the
community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the
origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.
II. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of
view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or
removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.
III. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their
responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.
IV. Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with
resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas.
V. A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of
origin, age, background, or views.
VI. Libraries which make exhibit spaces and meeting rooms available to the
public they serve should make such facilities available on an equitable basis,
regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting
their use.