November 15, 2023
Westlake Porter Public Library (“WPPL” or “Library”) is committed to protecting your privacy by treating personally identifiable information confidentially. Our commitment to your privacy has deep roots in the law and in the ethics and practices of librarianship. The library holds true to the values of the American Library Association affirming that, “Privacy is essential to the exercise of free speech, free thought, and free association.” As such, we aspire to protect each library user’s right to privacy and confidentiality with respect to information sought or received and resources consulted, borrowed, acquired or transmitted.
State law (Ohio Revised Code Section 149.432) protects your library records from disclosure if a member of the public or the media requests them. Library records include any written or electronic record used to identify a patron. This includes, but is not limited to, your borrowing history, name, address, telephone number, email address, computer use, and fine, fee or print transaction history. Although the library does everything we can in order to protect your privacy, there are times when we may be required by law to provide this information. Library records may be subject to disclosure to law enforcement officials per legal requirements, the USA PATRIOT ACT, or in a civil lawsuit.
The library strives to collect the least amount of personally identifiable information necessary. We attempt to avoid creating unnecessary records. We may keep your information as long as necessary for standard business options or as required by state and or local laws or records retention schedules. We avoid practices that might place your information in public view without your consent. You may choose to submit your personal information in order to use some library services. The personal information you give to the library will be treated as confidential, to the extent possible. We will not sell or license your information. We will not disclose it to any third-party except those working under contract with the library or as required by law.
We may collect the following personal information when you access library services:
The library does not keep a record of your reading history beyond operational requirements. Once you return an item it is removed from your account. Items with late fees or bills will remain on your account until paid. Third-party vendors (see below section on third-party vendors) however, may keep a record of your borrowing history.
We use Google Analytics and Monster Insights to collect data about the use of our website, catalog and blogs; this data is kept by WPPL and not readily accessible to outside parties. We use this information to make improvements to our website and to track trends.
Your personal information (name, address, etc.) is not tracked. Our website collects the following data:
Any personal information provided by you in email messages, web forms, mobile apps, in-person, via telephone or other communications is only used for the purpose for which submitted.
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology is used to check out library materials, keep a record of the library collection, and secure the collection from theft. RFID tags attached to items only contain the barcode number of the item. No personal library patron or transaction information is on the RFID tag.
All library patron records are considered confidential. Library records may only be disclosed to:
If the library cardholder is under the age of 18, the parent(s), guardian(s) or custodians of the child may be given information about that child’s library record. Ohio law states that this right is not limited to the parents who actually live with the child, and parents who do not have custody, who are separated, or who are divorced do have the right to access their minor child’s records. Proof of the parent or guardian’s identity is required through photo identification.
Patrons can gain access to another adult patron’s record only through written consent of the cardholder. This consent provides access to the entire patron record. This consent does not allow for updating personal contact information.
All library patrons can view their personal contact information online, and selected information can be updated online through MyAccount. Selected information can also be updated over the telephone after answering security questions. All other information must be updated in-person after providing proof of identity.
The privacy and safety of children (defined as under age 18) is important to us. Personal information collected by the library is not shared with any non-library-affiliated agency or vendor. Due to the ease with which children can share personal information on the internet, we encourage parents and caregivers to monitor their children’s online activities.
The library’s website (westlakelibrary.org) is encrypted via HTTPS. All communications between your browser and the library website are private. Your account is also encrypted.
A cookie is a small file sent to your browser by a website each time you visit a site. Cookies are stored on your computer and can transmit personal information. Cookies are used to remember information about preferences on the pages you visit.
You can refuse to accept cookies, disable cookies and remove cookies from your hard drive. However, this may result in a lack of access to some library services. Our library servers use cookies to verify that a person is an authorized user. This allows you access to licensed library-affiliated or approved third-party vendors and to customize webpages to your preferences. Cookies obey the privacy settings that you have chosen in your browser. We will not share cookie information with external third parties.
The library uses software programs that monitor network traffic to identify unauthorized or malicious attempts to upload or change information or otherwise cause damage. The library may block illegal, malicious and other websites that could undermine data and network security, based upon current blocklists.
The library does not keep a record of your activities on any publicly accessible computer or device made available for public use. Any record of browsing history and activities are removed when you log out.
All personally identifiable information is purged immediately upon the end of your public computer session. An anonymous log is created that identifies only the computer terminal number, reservation time, and duration of the session.
All public print data is kept accessible on the server for 24 hours after the job was submitted. This allows time for mobile print users to pick up their print jobs, and patrons to request re-prints. After 24 hours the print data is deleted from the server. A record of print transactions is kept for billing and accounting purposes.
You may choose to subscribe to a variety of WPPL electronic mailing lists that promote library news and activities. The mailing lists are serviced by an affiliated vendor. See below for information on how the library works with third party vendors.
The library enters into agreements with third-parties to provide online services, digital collections, streaming media content, and more. When using some of these services, you may also connect with social networks and other users.
Affiliated third-party vendors may collect and share your information, including:
For more information on these third-party services and the types of data that may be collected and shared, refer to the Terms of Use and Privacy webpages of each vendor/service. You may choose not to use these third-party vendors if you do not accept their terms of use and privacy policies. Please read them carefully.
We make reasonable efforts to ensure that the library’s contracts, licenses, and offsite computer service arrangements reflect our policies and legal obligations concerning patron privacy and confidentiality. Our contracts address restrictions on the use, aggregation, sharing, and sale of information, particularly about minors.
The library expects vendors to:
Library patrons must understand when using remote or third-party vendor sites that there are limits to the privacy protection the library can provide.
The library also may suggest links to external websites that are not privacy-protected. You are not required to give these sites your library card or any other personally identifiable information to use their services.
All WPPL locations have interior and exterior security cameras. Video footage is kept for two weeks. Video is available to view by designated staff or by third parties under legal compulsion.
It is the policy of the Westlake Porter Public Library to preserve the confidentiality and privacy of the registration and circulation records of its borrowers to the fullest extent permitted by law. Only the director or designee is authorized to receive or comply with requests from law enforcement officers. We speak with our legal counsel whenever possible before determining the proper response. Library records are not made available to any agency of state, federal, or local government without a subpoena, warrant, court order or other legal document requiring us to do so. These orders must show good cause and be in proper form. Library staff are instructed to refer any law enforcement requests to library administrators.
It is our policy to protect your personally identifiable information from unauthorized disclosure. Regular privacy audits are run to ensure that all library programs and services comply with this privacy policy. Library patrons who have questions, concerns, or complaints regarding the library’s handling of their privacy and confidentiality rights should contact our Privacy Officer. The library reserves the right to change or modify this privacy policy at any time. Changes will be posted on the library’s website.
27333 Center Ridge Road
Westlake, OH 44145-3947
440-871-2600
Monday – Thursday: 9 am - 9 pm
Friday & Saturday: 9 am - 6 pm
Sunday: 1 pm - 5 pm
