Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy
The Belmont Public Library is dedicated to protecting the privacy of our patrons to the fullest extent of the law. In accordance with the requirements of Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 78, Section 7, and in accordance with the recommendations of the American Library Association (1) (2). and the Minuteman Library Network, the Library recognizes that all patron records and the information within them, shall be confidential and will not be divulged to anyone other than the user except under presentation of a subpoena or search warrant.
The circulation and registration records of the Belmont Public Library shall not be made available to any third party nor any law enforcement agency of a local, state, or federal government except when a court order in proper form, issued by a court of competent jurisdiction after a showing of good cause, is presented to the library by the law enforcement agency or person seeking the records.
All inquiries for patron information made by government agents should be referred to legal custodian of records for the library – the Library Director, or their designee. The Library Director designates the Library Assistant Director to serve as the person responsible for responding to any request for library records or information about a library user when the Library Director is absent or unavailable.
Upon receipt of such form, process, order, or subpoena, the Library Director will consult with Town Legal Counsel to determine if such process, order, or subpoena is in proper form and if there is a showing of good cause for its issuance; if the form, process, order, or subpoena is not in proper order or if good cause has not been shown, they will insist that the process be remedied.
No library employee or volunteer will release library records or reveal information about a library user to any third party or law enforcement agent unless authorized to do so by the Library Director or the Library Director’s designated alternate.
The Library Director is responsible for ensuring that every library employee and volunteer is provided with a copy of this policy.
Adopted by the Belmont Board of Library Trustees
12/16/ 2008
Amended June 2019
Amended February 27th 2025