As in other professional atmospheres, confidentiality is very important. Discussing a library user’s appearance or attitude with other student workers is never a good idea. If you need to vent, talk with a supervisor. Do not discuss the library user at all while working, and never tell anyone else other than the library user which library materials he or she has checked out. We take this very seriously. We require that you fill out a form that indicates that you will not tell others what a particular library user has checked out.
Protecting the rights of library users to view and read materials without fear of intrusion, intimidation or reprisal is a core value for all librarians. To safeguard the privacy of individuals in their use of the library, the University Libraries maintains the confidentiality of library records. Student records, including library borrowing records, are additionally protected by federal privacy laws.
The registration and circulation records of the University Library system are confidential.
Registration records include any information the library requires users (faculty or staff members, students, alumni, or special borrowers) to provide in order to become eligible to access or borrow materials. Such information includes addresses, telephone numbers, and social security numbers.
Circulation records include all information that identifies a faculty or staff member, student, alumnus, or special borrower as borrowing or accessing particular materials or information. Included in these records are Web browsing histories and reserve materials.
No library employee shall reveal the identity of a borrower to any requestor.
Except in accordance with proper judicial order and with permission of the designated administrative officer(s) of the University, no person shall make known in any manner any information contained in such records listed above. In the absence of such judicial orders or University administrative permission, those to whom information will be denied include, but are not limited to, faculty, staff (including library staff except in the pursuit of their assigned duties), parents, students, campus security, police, FBI agents, and military personnel. *If a law enforcement officer asks you for information on a user, refer them to a supervisor immediately.
Access records are those data concerning entry to the library collected via turnstiles or door card readers. These records are maintained by the Vanderbilt University Card Office. Follow the instruction given by your supervisor for access request.
