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Because privacy rights of individuals have recently been threatened by private and public institutions, the New York Library Association has taken the initiative to protect first amendment rights through adoption of an Association Policy on the Confidentiality of Library Records. Governor Cuomo of New York signed into law Chapter 112 of the Laws of 1988, which protects confidentiality of library records of users throughout New York State. The reach of the Bill includes, but is not limited to "records related to the circulation of library materials, computer database searches, interlibrary loan transactions, reference queries, requests for photocopies of library materials, title reserve requests, or the use of audio-visual materials, films, or records." The Bill supersedes an earlier bill which protected circulation records only.
Technological developments have affected user confidentiality in two ways; 1) they have made it easier to store and retrieve records; and 2) they have provided new services, such as computerized data bases.
Libraries may devise internal record keeping devices to keep track of and recover their property or to enhance services to library users, but library records which identify names and other personal information regarding library users are confidential.
Weill Cornell Medical Library's Policy
Weill Cornell Medical Library specifically recognizes that circulation records and other records identifying the names of library users are confidential in nature.
Weill Cornell Medical Library advises all staff members that such records shall not be made available to any individual or any agency of state, federal, or local government except pursuant to such process, order, or subpoena as may be authorized under the authority of, and pursuant, to federal, state, or local law relating to civil, criminal, or administrative discovery procedures or legislative investigative power.
Weill Cornell Medical Library will resist the issuance or enforcement of any such process, order, or subpoena until such time as a proper showing of good cause has been made in a court of competent jurisdiction.
Weill Cornell Medical Library authorizes the Head, Information and Access Services, to act as the Library official who will examine its record keeping procedures to assure that records identifying Library users are limited to those essential for Library operation. The Library official will see that the Library's policy is enforced.
Implementation of Policy
A Library staff member receiving a request to examine or obtain information relating to circulation or other records identifying the names of Library users, will state that the Library does not give such information as a matter of policy. If the requester continues to insist, the Library staff member will refer the person making the request to the responsible officer, the Head, Information and Access Services, who will explain the Library's confidentiality policy.
The Director of the Weill Cornell Medical Library, upon receipt of process, order, or subpoena, will consult with the proper legal officer assigned to the institution (Weill Medical College of Cornell University) to determine if such process, order, or subpoena is in good form and if there is a showing of good cause for its issuance.
If the process, order, or subpoena is not in proper form or if good cause has not been shown, the Director will insist that such defects be corrected before any records are released. (The legal process shall usually be in the form of subpoena "duces tecum" (bring your records) requiring the responsible officer to attend court or the taking of his/her deposition and may require him/her to bring along certain circulation or other specified records).
Threats or unauthorized demands (i.e., not supported by a process, order, or subpoena) concerning circulation and other records identifying the names of users shall be reported to the Head, Information and Access Services, who will, if necessary, report such threats or unauthorized demands to the appropriate legal officer of the institution (Weill Medical College of Cornell University).
Any problems relating to the privacy of circulation and other records identifying the names of Library users which are not provided for above shall be referred to the responsible officer, the Head, Information and Access Services, or to the Library Director.
Drafted: January 1990
Approved by Library Committee: March 1990
Revised: November 2001
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