Protection of Library Users' Privacy - An Analysis of US States' Laws on the Issue

Protection of Library Users' Privacy - An Analysis of US States' Laws on the Issue

The right of having privacy is related to the safety of everybody in a society. Therefore, it is a topic that should concern everyone. In the library field, it focuses on the protection of library users' personal registration and circulation records, and establishing a safe atmosphere for intellectual freedom. The library not only provides resources and references for its users, but also has the responsibility to let users know their rights in using libraries, resources and protecting their rights. This paper summarizes the basic contents of state laws in the United States about the right of privacy, introduces the concepts of public records and personal records which includes library user records, and the exceptions and penalties related to the issue, in order to give readers a first look at U.S. laws on protecting the privacy of library users.

Zhao, Lisa

2008

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Chinese Librarianship, 2008: Dec.:No.26

eng

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