We, the Trustees of the Pound Ridge Library District, regard this institution as a citadel of education and information. A principal purpose of the Library is to provide access to information and ideas from all points of view. We believe the release of records concerning the use of the Library by individuals or institutions would have the effect of deterring users from seeking information through the Library. We further believe that any such disclosure would constitute an unreasonable invasion of privacy and violate the guarantee of freedom of speech contained in the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.
THEREFORE, we formally adopt the following policy with regard to the privacy of the circulation records of the Pound Ridge Library District:
- Circulation records of individual patrons of the Pound Ridge Library District and other records identifying the names of library users are normally confidential regardless of the source of inquiry.
- Circulation records of individual patrons of the Pound Ridge Library District shall not be made available to anyone outside the Library Staff and Board except pursuant to such process, order, or subpoena as may be authorized by law.
- Upon receipt of such process, order, or subpoena, consultation shall be made with appropriate legal advisor to the Library to determine if it is in good form and if there is a good cause for its issuance. If such process, order, or subpoena is not in good form or if good cause has not been shown, no records shall be released until the defect has been cured.
- Any threats or unauthorized demands (i.e., those not supported by process, order, or subpoena) concerning circulation records shall be reported to New York’s Commissioner of Education and Attorney General.
Revised and approved by the Pound Ridge Library Board of Trustees, May 13, 2003
Policy approved by the Pound Ridge Library Board of Trustees, November 10, 2009
Policy approved by the Pound Ridge Library Board of Trustees, December 20, 2011
Policy approved by the Pound Ridge Library Board of Trustees, July 13, 2023
