Confidentiality of Library Records Policy
Revised - January 2007

Policies regarding the confidentiality of library records are established on the basis of the American Library Association’s policy, and the Kentucky Attorney General’s opinions of 1982 and 1981 pertaining to the Open Records Law  based on the Kentucky Revised Statutes.

From the American Library Association’s Washington Office:

"Kentucky law does not exempt library records from public scrutiny. However, Attorney General opinions exclude public and university library records from disclosure. Under Kentucky's open records statutes, Attorney General opinions carry the force of law."

Click here - OPINIONS - to view OAG 82-149 (March 12, 1982) and OAG 81-159 (April 21, 1981).

From the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Headline Archives:
"Can the FBI look at your library records any time they want?"
Click here - FBI question - to view.

1. All library records and other information relating to an individual's use of the library and its resources are considered confidential and will not be divulged to any third party.

2. These records include, but are not limited to, circulation records of library materials, address and other registration information, reference or informational questions asked, interlibrary loan transactions, and computer database searches.

3. This information may be consulted and used by library staff in the course of carrying out library operations.

4. Access to this information will be restricted to authorized personnel within the Library and College for authorized reasons, as determined by the Library Director.

5. The library will release an individual's library information only to that individual, to another individual with the prior written consent of the individual concerned or under a duly authorized judicial process. The individual requesting the information must provide proof of identity.