Parkland College Library is deeply committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of library users. This commitment is in compliance with local, state and federal rules, as well as Parkland College policies and procedures, and is consistent with the American Library Association’s Code of Ethics.
We abide by Article III of the Code of Ethics of the American Library Association: "We protect each library user's right to privacy and confidentiality with respect to information sought or received and resources consulted, borrowed, acquired or transmitted."
Patron privacy is taken very seriously by the library staff. Staff cannot tell you who checked out the item you are looking for, or what somebody has checked out.
From Parkland College Policy and Procedures Manual
7.02.05 CONFIDENTIALITY OF LIBRARY RECORDS
Parkland College is committed to the protection of all Library customer's right to privacy in the use of library resources and discloses patron information to the patron only. Records of patron transactions are kept only as long as is required to collect administrative statistics and then are erased. The College, in accordance with the Illinois Local Library Act (75 ILCS 5/1-7) and the Library Records Confidentiality Act (75 ILCS 70) recognizes that library circulation records and other records identifying the names of library users are to be confidential in nature. Such records shall not be made available to any individual or to any agencies 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.
Upon receipt of such process, order, or subpoena, the College will consult with legal counsel to determine if such process, order, or subpoena is in proper form and if there is showing of good cause for its issuance. If the process, order, or subpoena is not in proper form, or if good cause has not been shown, the College will insist that such defects be cured.