We have been learning about Intellectual Freedom this semester. As SLIS students we have also learned about the importance of our patrons' privacy. I was thrilled when I read the article below, to learn Kennewick Public Library followed the state law that states, "Librarians and library employees shall not make available library circulation records to any agency of state, federal, or local government.....unless authorities provide a subpoena." Good for them!
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2010/06/11/1049770/privacy-of-library-patrons-tested.html#Comments_Container
The Kennewick Branch suspended a library patron/registered sex offender, after children complained to patrons and police that he was bothering them. The Library would not provide police with any information that required them to go into his personal circulation record. Some taxpayers were upset with the library because they felt the library should have handed over the information. The Library did what they were suppose to and kept the patrons information private.
We have learned about the importance of privacy. Although we may not always agree with our library patrons' actions, they still have rights. As Librarians and library employees, we have to be fair to all our patrons.
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Kudos to the library for maintaining patron confidentiality despite their likely distaste for the patron in question, and kudos to the editorial staff at the paper for a positive outlook on the situation and reminding readers of the constitutional rights of all!
ReplyDelete~Lynn
I thought the same thing! ;D
ReplyDeleteGood to see. That can't have been easy considering the guy involved, but it isn't really a right unless even the unpopular people have it!
ReplyDeleteIt is true at times that the library can make you sick to your stomach. You want to support the intellectual freedom of all patrons, but when situations like this occur it really takes a lot of courage to stand up for the policies as they are written. We can’t make exceptions because we find a patron creepy or unsettling.
ReplyDeleteIt was nice to see the editorial piece looked beyond the gut-instinct user comments to the original story. The article was articulate and spelled out exactly why the library staff stood their ground concerning the personal records. My equivalent would be a police officer showing up on my doorstep and asking to enter my house. I could personally give him access or ask that he show a warrant. Why should library records be any different?
Christine
True, we need to give everyone the same treatment. There are going to be times we may not agree with the patrons actions, or even like the patron, but we have to put that aside and do what is right. We have to protect our patrons privacy. The police should be aware of privacy and should know what they have to provide in order to get patrons records from a public library.
ReplyDeleteI was happy to see that this Library was mentioned in a positive way.
I'm going to echo the sentiments of everyone that already commented here. The library did the right thing here. I think that some people might see articles like this and feel that libraries are defending the actions of this patron when they are just doing their job and defending all patrons right to privacy.
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