Privacy and Confidentiality Issues: A Guide for Libraries and Their Lawyers

by Theresa Chmara

Overview

"Because libraries are on the front lines of patron privacy and confidentiality controversies that raise First Amendment questions, it is increasingly critical that libraries and their counsel become familiar with the constitutional rights of patrons. By understanding the issues and the relevant laws, librarians can rake action to protect users' First Amendment rights. In this clear and concise guide, set up in a frequently-asked-questions (FAQ) format, First Amendment attorney and litigation expert Chmara shares her decades of experience in easy-to-understand, jargon-free language." "Interspersed among the questions and answers, actual court case studies illustrate the significance of these issues. Covering circulation and Internet use records, along with the role of the library as employer, this guide is librarians' first line of defense of the First Amendment.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780838909706
Publisher:	American Library Association
Publication date:	02/28/2009
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	98
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.30(d)

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 When Do Privacy and Confidentiality Issues Arise? 1

Chapter 2 The First Amendment and Other Legal Considerations 5

Chapter 3 Privacy, Confidentiality, and the Internet 27

Chapter 4 State Privacy and Confidentiality Statutes 43

Chapter 5 Minors' First Amendment Rights and Rights to Privacy 49

Chapter 6 Federal Laws 55

Chapter 7 Developing Privacy Policies 69

Appendix State Privacy and Confidentiality Statutes 73

Index 93

Editorial Reviews

Concerns about the protection of the freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment have risen in recent years in all sectors, but libraries in particular have been a growing part of the intensifying debate. Issues of patron privacy rights in the library setting are not always easily resolved, but this handbook attempts to make resolution easier. Organized in short, informational chapters, this text addresses a multitude of concerns relating to the First Amendment that are pertinent to librarians, such as "privacy, confidentiality, and the internet" (chapter three), and "a minor's First Amendment rights and rights to privacy" (chapter five). Each chapter is subdivided into headings, making it easy to find the frequently-asked question that best applies to any given situation. Complete with a 2008 appendix of the individual privacy laws in each state and an index, this book is a valuable reference for librarians in all forms of libraries. The complicated information is provided in layman's terms without patronizing the reader. Although many questions are answered succinctly regarding patron rights and library responsibilities, the reader is frequently encouraged to seek the council of the library's attorney. All in all, this is a comprehensive resource for the librarian or teacher seeking information about the First Amendment as it applies to their professions. Reviewer: Jennifer McConnel

VOYA - Jennifer McConnel