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Confidentiality of Library Records and Privacy Policy

Amended 4/25/2015
Confidentiality of Library Records and Privacy Policy PDF

Confidentiality

New York State Law (Civil Practice Laws and Rules sec 2307 §4509) guarantees the confidentiality of library patron borrowing records. Patron information will only be released to the card holder or to a third party in compliance with law.

As a public institution the Library is legally obligated to comply with the Patriot Act.

Items that have been returned are automatically erased from a patron’s record, unless they have opted to save their checkout history.

Under New York State Law, if you are signing for a library card for someone under age 16, the library is, under the above law, prohibited from revealing that minor’s borrowed materials to you.

The Library may use patron information for library mailings and emails.

The library has a Friends group and allows this group to also use the patron data. Patrons who do not wish this information shared with the Friends may notify the library and be removed from that list.

The Library does not sell, lease, or otherwise distribute or disclose patron name, email address, postal address, telephone number, or other personal information to outside parties.

Privacy and the Library

When patrons visit the library web site, the Library collects and stores only information needed to measure the number of visitors to different areas of the site and to assist in making the site more useful.

Website and computer usage data is separate from individual library account data. Search histories are not saved in the Patron’s Library record.

The Library also offers a wireless network that allows patrons to connect to the Internet. Data accessed and sent over the wireless network is not encrypted.

Some databases the library offers on the web site require the bar code number from the user’s library card for verification purposes. Database vendors will not have access to patron records.

Second party websites like Amazon and those accessed through our Weblink Library are not governed by this policy and may collect other information.  See the relevant site’s policy for more information.

If a patron initiates a reference inquiry through form or email or subscribes to the Library’s newsletter on the website, this information is considered as part of the borrower account and protected as outlined above.

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Subject East Greenbush Card UHLS Card UHLS MyCard
Library Card Registration Free to any individual who resides or pays taxes in the East Greenbush Community Library taxing district or Town of Schodack. Cards expire and must be renewed every three years.

Free to any individual who volunteers or works at the EGRN Library. Cards expire and must be renewed yearly.

Free to partner educational agencies with verified employment. Cards expire and must be renewed yearly.

Those that live outside the UHLS area may purchase a temporary card at the price established by our Table of Fines and Fees. Cards expire and must be renewed yearly.

All ages eligible. Youth under age 16 must have their application completed and signed by a parent or guardian, who provides acceptable identification for them.

Card blocked at $5 or more in replacement costs or fines/fees

Fines vary according to individual library rules and UHLS resource sharing rules. The EGRN Table of Fines and Fees are applicable for items which are checked out from the East Greenbush Community Library

 Free to residents residing in a community served by a UHLS library.

All ages eligible. Youth under age 16 must have their application completed and signed by a parent or guardian, who provides acceptable identification for them.

UHLS library cards expire and must be renewed every three years.

Card blocked at $5 or more in replacement costs or fines/fees

Fines vary according to individual library rules and UHLS resource sharing rules. The EGRN Table of Fines and Fees are applicable for items which are checked out from the East Greenbush Community Library

 The UHLS MyCard is a fine-free, limited-access library card for youth. It is intended to address multiple barriers to serving youth and families, including:

  • Barriers to access related to fines (e.g. computer access, checking out materials)
  • Parents not present for a child’s library card registration
  • Previous fines on a child’s card

Free for youth residing in a community served by a UHLS library.Applicants 18 and under who are applying for a limited use, UHLS Youth Only MyCard, need to provide name, address, and date of birth.UHLS library cards expire and must be renewed every three years.Youth ages birth to 18 can register unaccompanied, or with the help of a caregiver or relative who is not the child’s parent/guardian.This card may be used at all UHLS Libraries except for the Colonie Town Library.

Card blocked at $10 or more in replacement costs.

No fines for late items
Limits on # of Materials Borrowed Unlimited checkouts Unlimited checkouts Limited total items: Can only have 3 items checked out on their card at a time
Types of Items All eligible item types. All eligible item types except Museum Passes, ILL, and Hot off the Press. Active paid members of the Friends of the East Greenbush Community Library have access to all lending collections. Only items eligible to be borrowed are books (any age level), juvenile and young adult (teen) audiobooks, and juvenile and young adult (teen) DVDs.
Databases/Digital Content EGRN and UHLS subscription databases and digital content UHLS subscription databases and digital content Only items eligible to be borrowed are books (any age level), juvenile and young adult (teen) audiobooks, and juvenile and young adult (teen) DVDs.
Interlibrary Loan Nationwide UHLS Libraries UHLS Libraries
Program Registration Unlimited except by limited program capacity Preference given to resident cardholders Preference given to resident cardholders