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PRIVACY POLICY

Information provided by patrons to the Salt Lake City Public Library ("SLCPL") is governed by the Library's privacy policies. By using SLCPL's Websites and services, you signify your acceptance of our policies.

GRAMA Policy: (from Administration Policy A6)

The Salt Lake City Public Library is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of patron records. This policy is based on the U.S. Constitution, and Utah’s Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA). Staff members and volunteers shall endeavor to protect information about library borrowers, their requests for information and materials, the online sites and resources they access, and their lending transactions.

The Utah Government Records Access and Management Act, Utah Code Annotated 63G-2-101 et seq. ("GRAMA") and the Salt Lake City GRAMA Ordinance, Chapter 64, Title 2 of the Salt Lake City Code establishes criteria and procedures relating to the classification and disclosure of government records. Under this act, "records of publicly funded libraries that when examined alone or with other records identify a patron" are classified as private. These records may only be released as provided by this act.

Patron records shall not be provided to or shared with another governmental entity, a government-managed corporation, a political subdivision, the federal government, a law enforcement entity, or another state except upon service of a subpoena or court order as provided by law.

The Salt Lake City Public Library does not sell, lease, or otherwise distribute or disclose patron information to outside parties.

Collection of Non-Personal Information

We collect website data in a form that does not permit direct association with any specific individual. The following are some examples of non-personal information that we collect and how we may use it:

  • We collect information such as referrer URL and location so that we can better understand patron acquisition and traffic to our website.
  • We collect information regarding patron activities on our website. This information is aggregated and used to understand which parts of our website, products, and services are of most interest. Aggregated data is considered non‑personal information for the purposes of this Privacy Policy.
  • We collect and store details of how our website is used, including search queries. This information may be used to improve the relevancy of content provided on our website.

Cookies and Other Technologies

Salt Lake City Public Library's website, online services, interactive application, email messages, and advertisements may use "cookies" and other technologies such as pixel tags and web beacons. These technologies help us better understand user behavior and interests, tell us which parts of our website people have visited, and facilitate and measure the effectiveness of advertisements and web searches. We treat information collected by cookies and other technologies as non‑personal information.

Salt Lake City Public Library also uses cookies and other technologies to remember personal information when you use our website. If you want to disable cookies in your browser, check with your provider to find out how to disable cookies.

We gather some information automatically and store it in log files. This information includes browser type and language, referring and exit websites, operating system, date/time stamp, and clickstream data. We use this information to understand and analyze trends, to administer the site, to learn about patron behavior on the site, and to gather demographic information about our user base as a whole. SLCPL may use this information in our marketing and advertising services.

In our email messages, we use a “click-through URL” linked to content on the SLCPL website. When patrons click one of these URLs, they pass through a separate web server before arriving at the destination page on our website. We track this click-through data to help us determine interest in particular topics and measure the effectiveness of our email communications. If you prefer not to be tracked in this way, you should not click text or graphic links in the email messages. Pixel tags enable us to send email messages in a format customers can read, and they tell us whether mail has been opened. We may use this information to reduce or eliminate messages sent to customers.

Third-Party Web Sites

Various third-pary web sites may be linked from slcpl.org. Many of these sites are not subject to Utah Code Annotated 63G-2-101 and may also not be subject to other sections of the Utah Code or federal law. Visitors to those sites are advised to check the privacy statements of these sites and understand how personally identifiable information will be used.


Internet Access Policy (REF10.1)

The City Library considers electronic technology to be a powerful tool and an effective means to extend open access to information and ideas. As a community institution of learning and knowledge, The City Library is dedicated to the concept of intellectual freedom and the rights of freedom of speech and expression under the United States Constitution.

The Internet and other electronic resources offer access to a wide variety of material, information, beliefs, and opinions, and The City Library recognizes the growth and evolution of the Internet as an open forum for the exchange of information and ideas. As a resource, the Internet offers an unprecedented level of access to the full scope of human achievement, and The City Library will attempt to provide as broad of access to the Internet as possible within the parameters outlined by this policy.

Use of City Library equipment or network access for illegal purposes is expressly prohibited. Internet users shall not access material that is obscene, pornographic, or child pornography, and in addition minors shall not access material that is harmful to minors under Utah law. Users are required to use The City Library’s computers in a manner that does not have a detrimental impact on the stability and functionality of The City Library’s computer system and its ability to connect to and use other networks and resources. The following activities are specifically prohibited:

  • Installing, uninstalling, or altering any software or hardware without the express permission of authorized library staff.
  • Engaging in any activity intended to compromise the security or proper operation of computers or network systems, whether internal or external, compromise the privacy of other users, or obstruct the work of others.
  • Sending forged bulk, unsolicited, voluminous, or frequent electronic mail; violating copyright or other intellectual property laws; or fraudulently misrepresenting one’s identity in any communications.

A violation of the provisions of this Policy may result in the withdrawal of access and may subject the user to disciplinary action consistent with library policies and procedures. All criminal activities will be referred to police, state, and/or federal agencies. The City Library has adopted (1) administrative procedures and guidelines for staff to follow in enforcing this Policy, and (2) procedures for use by patrons and staff to handle complaints about this Policy and its enforcement or about observed patron behavior. Such procedures and guidelines are available for review at The City Library.

In accordance with Utah Code Section 9-7-215, The City Library employs the use of Internet filters designed to block visual depictions that are child pornography or obscene as defined by state and federal statutes. The use of such filters does not guarantee the appropriateness of all resources available through library computers. The City Library strongly encourages parents to supervise their children’s use of the Internet.


ACCESS FOR MINORS (REF10.4)

In accordance with the federal Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) and Utah Code Section 9-7-215, The City Library employs the use of Internet filters designed to block sites containing visual depictions that are child pornography, harmful to minors, or obscene as defined by state and federal statutes on all publicly accessible computers with Internet access.

To the extent practical, The City Library shall take steps to promote the safety and security of users of The City Library’s computer network when using electronic mail, chat rooms, instant messaging, and other forms of direct electronic communications, and to restrict the access of minors to materials harmful to minors. Specifically, as required by CIPA, prevention of inappropriate network usage includes: (a) access by minors to inappropriate matter on the Internet; (b) unauthorized access, including so-called “hacking,” and other unlawful activities; and (c) unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal identification information regarding minors.

Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (Reference Policy REF 10.5)

In support of the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, Library employees will not assist patrons under the age of 13, unless accompanied by a parent or guardian, to set up an account that involves two-way communication. Examples include, but are not limited to, instant messaging and electronic mail.