Privacy
Library Policy No 2
The purpose of this policy is to protect the essential confidential relationship which exists between a library user and the Library.
The Australian Library and Information Association has a Statement on Professional Ethics (opens in new window) which includes the following:
'Librarians and library technicians must protect each user's right to privacy with respect to information sought or received, and materials consulted or borrowed'
This obligation is accepted by the University of South Australia Library which has resolved that:
- Personal details of clients (including residential and employment status and the nature of individual information requests) may not be released or distributed without the consent of the client
- No information is to be given out with regard to who has borrowed particular material, who has the item on loan at the moment, or who has placed a hold on it
- Borrower's cards can give access to personal and private information which must not be made available to anyone but the borrower. They are not to be given to anyone except the borrower indicated on the card
In situations in which either the police or university administration request information about whether particular clients have borrowed certain library materials, the requestor should be referred to the University Librarian
Approved Library Leadership Team November 1998
Enquiries: Irene Doskatsch