Privacy Policy
Boulder Public Library District patron account records are confidential. C.R.S. section 24-90-119 prohibits the disclosure of patron records except in limited circumstances established by state law. The following information to the extent that it is available may only be disclosed pursuant to subpoena, upon court order, or when otherwise needed for library operations:
- Borrowing, searching, or reading history
- Records or information identifying a person as requesting or obtaining specific materials or services or as otherwise using the library.
Library account information
The following information is retained in patron accounts and computer use registrations and sessions:
- Name, home address, and current telephone number
- Birth date
- Library or computer use card number
- Library card issue and expiration date
- Total number of checkouts but not titles
- Item numbers of items that have claimed returned status
- Email address and/or telephone number if patrons opt to receive courtesy due date notifications and/or the library newsletter
- Preferred language for courtesy notices
Anonymized patron information including household addresses may be provided to third parties and used for demographic analysis to inform program development and planning efforts. Patron names and information about the items borrowed are never shared with third parties. The District requires all library resource vendors to ensure the protection of personally identifiable information.
Borrowed items
A record of borrowed library items is retained on patron accounts so the library may contact patrons if items are not returned. System identification numbers indicating borrowed items that were last checked out on the patron account are retained until the items are checked out and returned by the next patron. This is necessary to attribute any damage to an item to the appropriate patron. Once the next patron returns the item, the item’s association with the previous patron account is removed.
A history of replacement charges or fines paid is maintained for a minimum of six months to provide data for disputed charges. Replacement charges are assessed after items become 21 days overdue. Items billed to the patron for replacement remain checked out on their account until the bill is reconciled.
Non-Library Electronic Resources
The District offers access to several third-party electronic resources such as research information databases and streaming and downloadable books, music, movies. Patrons who use these resources are advised to check the privacy statements of each site and to be cautious about providing personal information without a clear understanding of how the information will be used. Many of these resources allow patrons to save search information, create lists, and track use. The District does not have access to the information shared or collected by these resources nor does it have control over how the information may be used.
Disposing of Patron Information
The District complies with the Colorado Consumer Data Privacy Law and renders records containing personally identifiable information irretrievable and illegible when the personally identifying information is no longer needed.
Adopted by the Boulder Public Library District Board of Trustees, July 2, 2024.