Policies/Legal Notices - Privacy Statement

The Jefferson County Public Library (JCPL) is committed to user privacy and confidentiality. The confidentiality of library records is a core part of library ethics and JCPL follows the Code of Ethics of the American Library Association. JCPL strives to constantly innovate and enhance the services it provides to its users. As such, we reserve the right to change this Privacy Statement to match the services we provide. If any material changes are made to this statement, we will alter the date at the top of this statement to reflect the effective date of the change. When you visit our site or use our services, we encourage you to check the date of this Privacy Statement to ensure you are aware of any updates.

Confidentiality and your library record
Under Colorado Revised Statute 24-90-119 "...a publicly-supported library shall not disclose any record or other information that identifies a person as having requested or obtained specific materials or service or as otherwise having used the library."

Confidentiality extends to information sought or received, materials consulted, borrowed, and includes database search records, reference interviews, borrowing history, interlibrary loan transactions, personal information, and all other personally identifiable uses of library materials, facilities, or services.

Circulation, registration information, and information retrieval records may not be disclosed except to:

The cardholder (with card or other proper id).
Staff of Jefferson County Public Library acting within the scope of their duties in the administration of the library system and in facilitating interlibrary loans.
Persons authorized by the cardholder to access the individual's records. And as identified per Colorado Revised Statute 24-90-119 - to "a custodial parent or legal guardian who has access to a minor’s library card or its authorization number for the purpose of accessing by electronic means library records of the minor."
Representatives of any local, state, or federal government, pursuant to subpoena or search warrant authorized under the authority of federal, state, or local law relating to civil, criminal, or investigative power. Upon receipt of any such subpoena or search warrant, the Executive Director will consult with legal counsel to determine if the subpoena or search warrant is in proper form and if there is a valid basis for its issuance before providing confidential information.
If it's an emergency situation. Special circumstances, such as emergencies involving public health/safety, may require an immediate decision. In such cases, the Executive Director or other designated staff member will be contacted, and legal counsel will be consulted when possible.

We occasionally conduct promotional campaigns to inform the community of our services. We may at those times use your email or postal address for our internal mailing lists. We do not sell, lease, or otherwise distribute or disclose your name, email address, postal address, telephone number, or other personal information to outside parties without your permission.

Choice/Consent
The library must collect certain information in order to provide services. Patrons may choose to opt-out of this information collection, but this may affect the services the library provides. For example, only patrons who have released their names, addresses, and/or phone number may check out library materials. The library must be able to contact patrons should the materials become overdue. Any other information collection, not connected to services provided by the library, will always be on an "opt-in" basis -- that is, the patron initiates the collection of information on a voluntary basis.

Access/Participation
All library patrons have the right and responsibility to be sure the personally identifying information about them is accurate and up to date. All information collected in connection with the issue of library cards may be reviewed and updated by contacting any staff member at a circulation desk in any of our locations. Patrons may view their current circulation records and should see a staff member if they find any inaccuracies. You may also view your circulation record online by selecting the link that says "My Library Account".

Confidentiality and our web site
When you visit our web site, we collect and store only information to measure the number of visitors to different areas of the site to assist us in making the site more useful to you. The information includes:

the address (IP) of your computer or Internet provider
the date and time you accessed our site
the pages that are accessed and how you navigate the site
the Internet address of the web site that referred you to our site

Web site data is separate from individual library account data. We cannot look up your library record to determine what web sites you have visited.

Jefferson County Public Library also offers a wireless network that allows you to connect to the Internet at any of our locations, except the Conifer Library. Please be aware that data accessed and sent over JCPL's wireless network is not encrypted.

Cookies
A cookie is a small data file written to your computer's hard drive. They are generated by web sites to provide users with a personalized and often simplified online experience. The Library web site does not employ cookies. Certain third party database services within our site, such as our subscription databases and the AskColorado program may generate and store cookies on your computer's hard drive if you engage in such services. If you choose not to accept the cookies generated by such third party database applications, you will not be able to use some of those services online; your use of the remainder of the Library web site will not be affected. Be assured that cookies, by themselves, cannot be used to reveal or discover the identity of the individual user nor are they collected or stored on any Jefferson County Public Library server. Your acceptance of any third party database cookie on this site will not compromise your anonymity while using our web site.

Forms and email
If you initiate a reference inquiry, application form, ask questions about your account, or subscribe to our newsletter on our web site, this information is considered as part of your borrower account and protected as outlined above.

If you leave our site
Our web site contains selected links to external web sites not maintained by Jefferson County Public Library. We cannot be responsible for your privacy when you visit outside web sites. Please consult the privacy policies of those web sites should you have questions regarding their use. For more information about privacy online, follow these links:

ALA Task Force Report on Privacy in the Online Environment
A Primer on Internet Privacy
The Electronic Privacy Information Center
Surfer Beware: Personal Privacy and the Internet

Security
The Jefferson County Public Library takes the integrity and security of all records seriously and has taken reasonable steps to safeguard the integrity of its data and prevent unauthorized access to information it maintains. Steps include but are not limited to authentication, monitoring, and auditing. Security measures have been integrated into the design, implementation and day-to-day practices of the entire operating environment as part of its continuing commitment to risk management. These measures are intended to prevent corruption of data, block unknown or unauthorized access to our systems and information, and to provide reasonable protection of private information in our possession. However, no security measures can promise complete security from unauthorized "hackers."

Contact Information
If you have any questions about this Privacy Statement or other questions about confidentiality and privacy for Jefferson County Public Library records and web site, please go to our Comments and Suggestions form.