My question is: do public libraries have any legal obligation to collect emergency contact information for children (age 17 and under) attending library programs without a parent or caregiver present/on the premises?
This question is rather like asking an astronautical engineer: When on a spacewalk, are there any safety procedures specifically related to securing my helmet as I exit the airlock?
Is a parent or guardian allowed to access the titles of books that that their child(ren) have checked out from the school library?
Are school administrators allowed to access the titles of materials a student checked out?
In the state of New York, library records linked to the names of users can only be disclosed:
1) upon request or consent of the user;
2) pursuant to subpoena or court order; or
3) where otherwise required by statute.
Therefore, the strong default answer to the member’s questions is “NO.”
We received two grant applications for projects involving the digitization of high school student newspapers/magazines. The schools have given permission for these materials to be made available on a historic resource-focused, free database.
It took me 4 cups of coffee to figure out how to reply to this question! And it’s not because I didn’t know the answer.
FERPA is the “Family Rights Privacy Act.” It bars disclosure of students’ “education records.”
“Education records” (like grades, disciplinary reports, attendance) are defined by FERPA as records:
We have a question that relates to the intersection of New York state level library privacy laws (https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/CVP/4509) and FERPA.
Depression. Burn-out. Dissatisfaction. Lack of connection. Lack of money. Lack of parking.
These are just some of the reasons students give when they choose to leave—or are forced to leave—their college or university before graduating.
