In accordance with Colorado State law the Penrose Community Library District requires that patron records and any other information that identifies a person as having used the library are confidential.
Concerning privacy of library user records, Colorado law (C.R.S. 24-90-119) states:
Privacy of User Records:
(1) Except as set forth in subsection (2) of this section, a publicly-supported library shall not disclose any record or other information that identifies a person as having requested or obtained specific materials or service or as otherwise having used the library.
(2) Records may be disclosed in the following instances:
(a) When necessary for the reasonable operation of the library;
(b) Upon written consent of the user;
(c) Pursuant to subpoena, upon court order, or where otherwise required by law;
(d) To a custodial parent or legal guardian who has access to a minor’s library card or its authorization number for the purpose of accessing by electronic means library records of the minor.
(3) Any library official, employee, or volunteer who discloses information in violation of this section commits a class 2 petty offense and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not more than three hundred dollars.
In all cases, whether it be a request from a family member, a law enforcement agent, or a reporter, the library staff is ethically and legally bound to make every effort to protect the individual’s right to privacy no matter how convincing the argument to release information. By protecting the confidentiality of each borrower’s record, staff upholds the law and assures borrowers that they may borrow materials based on their individual needs.