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 Public libraries in Connecticut must comply with the confidentiality requirements in state statutes.

In 2007, Public Act 07-227 expanded the confidentiality of library records to include any library record regardless of format that can be used to identify a library user or link a user to a library transaction.  These confidentiality requirements do not apply to records maintained by schools or college libraries.  The full statute reads:

Sec. 11-25. Reports by libraries. Confidentiality of records.
(a) The libraries established under the provisions of this chapter, and any free public library receiving a state appropriation, shall annually make a report to the State Library Board. (b)(1) Notwithstanding section 1-210, records maintained by libraries that can be used to identify any library user, or link any user to a library transaction, regardless of format, shall be kept confidential, except that the records may be disclosed to officers, employees and agents of the library, as necessary for operation of the library. (2) Information contained in such records shall not be released to any third party, except (A) pursuant to a court order, or (B) with the written permission of the library user whose personal information in contained in the records. (3) For purposes of this subsection, "library" includes any library regularly open to the public, whether public or private, maintained by any industrial, commercial or other group or association, or by any governmental agency, but does not include libraries maintained by schools and institutions of higher education. (4) No provision of this subsection shall be construed to prevent a library from publishing or making available to the public statistical reports regarding library registration and use of library materials, if such reports do not contain personally identifying information."

Sample Confidentiality Policies

Impact of the Patriot Act on Confidentiality in Libraries

• Libraries and the Patriot Legislation (from ALA)
• Library Records Post-Patriot Act (Federal Law) by Mary Minow
• Patriot Act infomark search on ICONN
• Patriot Act,a research pathfinder created by the Connecticut State Library
• Sample Patriot Act Policy Paulding (Ohio) County Carnegie Library
  

 
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