The Watertown Public Library supports the principle of freedom of inquiry for library patrons and has adopted this policy to outline the privacy rights of library patrons. The Watertown Public Library protects the privacy of library records and the confidentiality of patron use of the library as required by relevant laws. The relevant Wisconsin Statutes concerning the confidentiality of library records are Public Library Records Section 43.30 and Personal Information Practices Sections 19.62 to 19.80. In general, records of patron use of library resources, materials and services may not be disclosed except with the consent of the individual, by court order or under operation of law, or to persons acting within the scope of their duties in the administration of the library, collection of delinquent accounts, or a federated library system. The Watertown Public Library, being supported by public funds, must disclose to a custodial parent or guardian of a child under 16 any records relating to that child’s use of the library’s documents, materials, resources or services per Wisconsin Statute Section 43.30(4).
Library staff is authorized to request identification from library users as necessary and appropriate for the use of library services, such as issuing a card, reserving materials, registering for a program or using meeting rooms. Information communicated under these circumstances is authorized under Wisconsin Statute 43.30. Library staff is authorized to request identification from library users as necessary and appropriate for safety and security or when laws or library policies have been violated. Information about the identity of persons whose behavior in or about the library violates the law or library policies is not inherently protected or confidential. If the library has cause to believe that a criminal act has been committed on library property or with library resources, library administration will cooperate with legal authorities to obtain court orders for the release of protected library records as may be necessary for criminal investigations and prosecution.