The Herrin City Library supports the concept of intellectual freedom and the right of each citizen to free access to information without fear of intimidation. The Herrin City Library Board of Trustees is committed to protecting each library user’s right to privacy and confidentiality with respect to information sought or received and resources consulted, borrowed, acquired or transmitted.

The Herrin City Library abides by Illinois Law which states the records of patron transactions and the identity of registered library patrons is confidential material. Herrin City Library strives to protect the privacy of Library customers and to transparently communicate the type of information that is collected and share how it is to be used. The Library has measures in place to protect patron privacy and confidentiality. In setting these policies, the Library tries to strike a balance between your privacy and your convenience.

The Herrin City Library does not make available the records of patron transactions to any party except in compliance with the law. The Herrin City Library does not make available lists of registered library clients except in compliance with the law.


Privacy statement

The library will use reasonable efforts to ensure that it will collect only the personal identifying information of its patrons necessary to provide or improve library services. Any technology employed in the provision of library services will be designed to maintain the minimum level possible of personally identifying information, with such information residing only in a secured electronic environment, not available to intentional or accidental exposure to unauthorized individuals.

The library is not responsible for guaranteeing the privacy of its customers when using library technology resources, even those provided by or linked to the Herrin City Library website, or recommended for use by its employees. Library users should consult the Internet Use Policy for guidance regarding their use of other internet resources.


Confidentiality of library records

It is the policy of Herrin City Library, pursuant to the Library Records Confidentiality Act (75 ILSC 70/1), that all circulation, registration, and other records identifying the names of library users and their transactions with the library and while using library resources are confidential. The contents of any such electronic or paper records will not be made available to anyone except the card holder, and to the parent or guardian of a minor child card holder following presentation of photo identification of the parent or guardian.

Library staff will not provide information to an unauthorized third party concerning a patron’s reading, or the nature or substance of their use of library services. The release of statistical information is permitted provided no individual is identified in the information released.

No library records or information derived during the use of library resources shall be made available to members of the public, the press, or any agency of state, federal, or local government, except pursuant to such process, order, or subpoena as may be authorized under the authority of, and pursuant to federal, state, or local law relating to civil, criminal, or administrative discovery procedures or legislative investigative power.

The Board of Trustees and the Library Director shall protect the confidentiality of library records until such time as a proper showing of good cause has been made in a court of competent jurisdiction.

Approved: May 10, 2022