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Why Patron Privacy Matters -- and How You Can Protect It

This guide accompanies a presentation given by Trina Magi, Library Professor at University of Vermont, for the Central Kansas Library System, June 15, 2023.

Adopt procedures for library personnel to follow

Step-by-step procedures will make it easier for library workers and volunteers to adhere to your policy when someone asks for information about library users. Keep these procedures up-to-date and readily available at each service point.

ALA guidance for responding to inquiries from law enforcement: https://www.ala.org/advocacy/privacy/lawenforcement

ALA information on "First Amendment auditors" who film in the library: https://www.oif.ala.org/auditing-the-first-amendment-at-your-public-library/

Sample procedures for responding to requests for user information