Privacy Policy

Hackley Public Library 315 W. Webster Avenue Muskegon, MI 49440

= = = POLICY = = = LIBRARY PRIVACY

The Hackley Public Library (“HPL” or “Library”) is committed to protecting your privacy by treating personal information confidential. Our commitment to your privacy has deep roots in the law and the ethics and practices of librarianship. The Library holds to the values of the American Library Association, affirming, “Privacy is essential to the exercise of free speech, free thought, and free association.” As such, we aspire to protect each library user’s right to privacy and confidentiality concerning information sought or received and resources consulted, borrowed, acquired, or transmitted.

State law (Michigan Library Privacy Act, Act. 455, of 1982) protects your library records from disclosure if a member of the public or the media requests them. Library records include any written or electronic document that identifies a patron or the fact that they have asked for or obtained specific materials from the Library. Information includes, but is not limited to, your borrowing history name, address, telephone number, or email address. This information does not include non-identifying material that may be retained to study or evaluate the circulation of the Library’s materials in general. Although the Library values privacy, there are times when we may be required by law to provide this information. Library records may be subject to disclosure to law enforcement officials per legal requirements, the USA PATRIOT ACT, or in a lawsuit. The Library may also be forbidden from reporting to you that your records have been requested or obtained.

What information do we collect?

The Library makes a concerted effort to minimize the amount of personal information that it collects and stores. It is your choice to submit your data to access certain Library services. The personal information you provide to the Library is generally treated as confidential. We do not sell or license your data. We do not disclose it to a third party except those working under contract with the Library or as required by law.

We may collect the following personal information when you access online Library services:

Name
Address
Telephone Number Email address

1009

Date of Birth
Library barcode number
Items currently checked-out, requested, canceled holds, and interlibrary loans (MelCat) Overdue items (until returned)
Fine history
Registration information for Library events

The Library does not keep a record of your reading history beyond operational requirements. Once you return an item, it is removed from your account. You may choose to turn on the reading history feature in your online account to keep a log of things you check out. The titles of items with late fees will remain on your account until paid. Third-party vendors (see below section on third-party vendors), however, may keep a record of your borrowing history.

We use Google Analytics to collect data about the use of our website; this data is kept by HPL and not readily accessible to outside parties. We use this information to make improvements to our website and to track trends.

Our website collects the following data:

Browser type
Anonymized internet address/Internet Protocol (IP) Address Operating system type
The web address of the page from which you linked to our site Device
Network service provider
Interaction data

Any personal information provided by you in email messages, web forms, in-person, via telephone, or other communications is only used for the purpose for which submitted.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology used to check out Library materials, keep a record of the Library collection, and secure the collection from theft. RFID tags attached to items only contain the barcode number of the item. No personal Library patron or transaction information is on the RFID tag.

Who has access to my information?

All Library patron records are considered confidential. Library records may only be disclosed to:

Library staff performing job duties
The cardholder whose information is requested upon proof of identity

The Parents or guardians of a minor child whose information is asked for (limited access) Anyone with the written consent of the cardholder (limited access)
A party under legal compulsions, such as court order or subpoena

Children’s Privacy and Protection

The privacy and safety of children (defined as under age 18) are essential to us. Personal information collected by the Library is not shared with any Library-affiliated agency or vendor. Due to the ease with which children can share personal information on the internet, we encourage parents and caregivers to monitor their children’s online activities. Please see our Internet Access Policy for more information.

Website Security and Tracking

HTTPS

The Library’s website (hackleylibrary.gov) is encrypted via HTTPS. All communications between your browser and the Library website are generally private. Your Library account information is also encrypted

Cookies

A cookie is a small file sent to your browser by a website each time you visit a site. Cookies are stored on your computer and can transmit personal information. Cookies are used to remember information about preferences on the pages you visit and help websites perform better.

You can refuse to accept cookies, disable cookies, and remove cookies from your hard drive. However, this may result in a lack of access to some Library services. Our Library servers use cookies to verify that a person is an authorized user. Access to cookies allows access to licensed Library-affiliated or approved third-party vendors and to customize webpages to your preferences. Cookies obey the privacy settings that you have chosen in your browser.

Data & Network Security (Firewall)

The Library uses software programs and equipment that monitor network traffic to identify unauthorized or malicious attempts to upload or change information or otherwise cause damage to the Library systems.

Public Computers & Connected Devices

The Library does not keep a publicly-available record of your activities on any public-accessible computer or device. Any record of browsing history and activities are generally removed when you log out.

Personal information is generally purged immediately upon the end of your public computer session. An anonymous log is created that identifies only the computer terminal number, reservation time, and duration of the session. However, it could be possible to compare that log

with other information to identify you. All connected devices you borrow from the Library (e.g., mobile hotspots) have their history manually cleared by Library staff after you return the device. However, it is possible to transmit personal information unintentionally or unknowingly when using connected devices that you borrow from the Library. For more information, please see the Third-Party Vendors section below.

Email & Marketing

You may choose to subscribe to a variety of HPL electronic mailing lists that promote Library news and activities. A related vendor services the mailing lists. See below for information on how the Library works with third-party vendors.

Third-Party Vendors, Services, and Technology

The Library enters into agreements with third parties to provide online services, digital collections, streaming media content, and more. The Library also provides access to third-party services and technology, such as websites and mobile hotspots. When using some of these services and technologies, you may also connect with social networks and other users.

Third parties may collect and share your information, including but not limited to the following.

Personally, identifiable information you knowingly provide. Information may include when you register for a website, provide feedback and suggestions, request information, or create shared content.

Other information that could be used to identify you. This includes your Internet Address (IP Address), search history, location-based data, and device information.

Non-personally identifiable information, which includes ad views, analytics, browser information (type and language), cookie data, date/time of your request, demographic data, hardware/software type, interaction data, serving domains, page views, and the web page you visited immediately before visiting the site. In some cases, non-personally identifiable information can become personally identifiable when combined.

Other data, as described in the vendor’s privacy policy and terms of use.

For more information on third-party services and the types of data that may be collected and shared, refer to the Terms of Use and Privacy webpage. You may choose not to use these third- party vendors if you do not accept their terms of use and privacy policies. Please read them carefully. We cannot control or guarantee how third parties treat your privacy.

We make reasonable efforts to ensure that the Library’s contracts, licenses, and commissioned computer service arrangements reflect our policies and legal obligations concerning patron privacy and confidentiality.

Suggested links to external non-HPL websites might not be privacy-protected. You are not required to provide a library card or any other personally identifiable information to use their services.

Surveillance Used at the Library

Library Video Surveillance

HPL employs interior and exterior security cameras. Video footage is stored for two months. Video is available to view by designated staff or by third parties under legal compulsion.

Body-worn Cameras

Local police and public safety officers may wear body-worn cameras. Police agencies do not engage in regular surveillance or patrols to Hackley Public Library locations but do respond to calls for service. They may record patron contacts, interviews, and other events when recording could provide value as evidence. An officer does not need your consent to record the interaction.

How do we handle law enforcement requests?

Confidentiality of library records is a core value of librarianship. Confidentiality exists when a library has personally identifiable information about users and keeps that information private on their behalf. Only the director or designee is authorized to receive or comply with requests from law enforcement officers. We speak with our legal counsel whenever possible before determining the proper response. Library records are not made available to any agency of state, federal, or local government without a subpoena, warrant, court order, or other legal document requiring us to do so. These orders must show good cause and be in proper form. Library staff is instructed to refer any law enforcement requests to the Library director.

Our commitment to you

It is our policy to protect your personal information from unauthorized disclosure. Regular privacy audits are run to ensure that all Library programs and services comply with this privacy policy. Library patrons who have questions, concerns, or complaints regarding the Library’s handling of their privacy and confidentiality rights should contact the Library Director. The Library reserves the right to change or modify this privacy policy at any time. Changes will be posted on the Library’s website.

Revised September 15. 2020 Amended August 19, 2003 Approved July 16, 2002