Introduction
The SCLENDS consortium takes steps to protect the privacy and confidentiality of all library patrons, no matter their age. We are compliant with the South Carolina Code of Laws, Section 60-4-10, which states that “confidential records may not be disclosed except to persons acting within the scope of their duties in the administration of the library or library system or persons authorized by the library patron to inspect his records, or in accordance with proper judicial order upon a finding that the disclosure of the records is necessary to protect public safety, to prosecute a crime, or upon showing of good cause before the presiding judge in a civil manner.”
Types of Information Collected
Information that the SCLENDS member libraries collect and store about library patrons includes names, addresses, telephone numbers, email addresses, and birth dates.
Method of Information Collection
SCLENDS collects patron information in three ways: information provided directly by patrons; from automatically collected network logs; and through cookies.
Purpose of Data Collection
SCLENDS uses patron information for:
- Registering for a library card
- Maintaining records of materials checked out, charges owed, or payments made
- Tracking patron requests for items within the consortium
Personal information is collected to facilitate access to SCLENDS materials. In addition, statistical data is collected about library card registrants and their library use to allow for planning our collections and to enable the library to effectively report statistics on library use as required by federal, state, local, and private funding bodies.
Data Security Measures
The SCLENDS consortium takes reasonable steps to ensure data security. We protect personally identifiable information by electronically purging or manually shredding it once it is no longer needed for library business purposes, whenever possible. Member libraries have invested in appropriate technology to protect the security of personally identifiable information while it is in the libraries’ possession. SCLENDS take steps to remove personally identifiable information from aggregate summary data.
In cases when library users leave the SCLENDS online catalog to visit another site, users are encouraged to become familiar with the privacy statement of each site they visit. Third parties are not bound by library confidentiality statutes or other laws protecting the privacy of user records. For these reasons, the member libraries cannot be responsible for user privacy when visiting outside websites.
Data Sharing
SCLENDS will not sell, lease, distribute, or disclose a patron’s email address, postal address, phone number, borrower record, or other personal information for nonlibrary purposes to outside parties unless required by law. The consortium will not share or sell a patron’s consent for SMS messages and phone numbers collected for SMS messages to any third parties under any circumstances, nor never disclose a child’s personal information without written approval from a parent or legal guardian.
User Rights
It is the library cardholder’s responsibility to notify their respective library immediately should their card be lost or stolen, or if they believe someone is using their card or card number without permission.
Library patrons may access their personally identifiable information held by SCLENDS libraires and are responsible for keeping that information accurate and up to date.
Parents, guardians, or caretakers who wish to obtain access to a child’s library records, including the number or title of materials checked out or overdue, must provide the child’s library card or card number.
Contact Information
If you have a question or concern about our handling of your personally identifiable information or this policy, contact your local SCLENDS library.
