Library Policy 5/25/2004

Per Library Dir. Phillips

Effective 4/23/04, Wisconsin law requires that this library “must disclose to a custodial parent or guardian of a child under the age of 16 any records relating to that child’s use of the library’s documents, or other materials, resources or services.”

What records must be supplied?

  • Items currently checked out.
  • Due dates, overdue items, fines owed for items checked out.
  • Records of computer use, Internet sign-ups, etc. (This library has only limited and temporary information of this sort, and we are not required to disclose information we don’t have.)

What records should not be supplied?

  • Address, phone number, age or other personally identifying information (a custodial parent or guardian should have no reason to ask for these).
  • Information about any other library users. If such information is included in information about the under-16 child in question, that information should be removed before giving the properly requested information to the parent or guardian. (Most of this library’s information would not be so combined, so this should not be an issue in most cases.)
  1. The Library reserves the right to request identification.
    1. Any set of documents which demonstrates to the library’s satisfaction that the requester is the person they claim to be.
    2. Normal library identification rules, i.e., government-issued picture ID such as Driver’s License, State ID, passport. Non-picture ID’s, school ID’s, employer ID’s, etc. should be accompanied with a secondary identification measure such as their own library card, business mail including address, etc.
  2. The Library reserves the right to request proof of guardianship.
    1. Any set of documents that demonstrates to the library’s satisfaction that the requestor is the legal parent or guardian.
    2. Possession of the child’s library card is evidence, but not conclusive, of a custodial relationship.
    3. A photo ID as above which shows the same address as the child is evidence.
    4. Court order papers are excellent evidence.
  3. The Library reserves the right to deny access to the records of a minor child until such a time that an adult can prove that they have custody of the child.

The intention of the law and of this policy is to allow parents access to information about their children. Our responsibility is to provide that information – when we have it – to the parent or guardian, providing we have made a reasonable effort to ascertain that the person is who they say they are and the legally responsible adult. Our intention is not to make it difficult for legally responsible parents or guardians to get information to which the State has granted them legal rights.

Approved by Library Board: May 25, 2004