having just gone through a request for this kind of information, I would
suggest everyone take the time to look up the LAW in your state. most
of the replies from people I contacted were "assumptions" on what
everyone "thought" was the correct stance to take. you may eventually
need to be able to quote state statute to be able to defend your
position. don't assume anything.
here are State Laws on the Confidentiality of Library Records for some
states. unfortunately it was last updated April 20, 2005. that may or
may not make a difference.
http://www.library.cmu.edu/People/neuhaus/state_laws.html
kate :)
Vicki Reutter wrote:
>Thanks to all responders about e-mailing overdues to parents. In a nutshell,
>it still seems like a gray area. State statutes vary a bit with exclusions on
>what is confidential. So, some of you are sending them to parents of minors
>and others are only sending them directly to students in interschool e-mail.
>That would be my preference, but we don't have student accounts. Lisa G. had a
>great idea to create an e-mail list with a generic message. See all replies
>below:
>...................................
>
>" I send email notices to students, but only with their permission. They
>provide me with the address to which they want me to send it. I use Athena, and
>it does not list the titles. If you want to avoid titles, you could always
>create an email list with all the student addresses you have. Each time you
>send out overdues, you could send out a generic "You have overdue items" message,
>without listing the titles. Select which students from your mailing list it
>goes out to."
>.............................
>"arizona law says:
>Records may be disclosed:
>If necessary for the reasonable operation of the library. (I think this
>would include overdue notices?)
>
>http://www.library.cmu.edu/People/neuhaus/state_laws.html#AZ
>
>State laws are accessible through a variety of sources, both commercial and
>free. Three free sites are: American Law Sources On-line
>(LawSource, Inc.)
>FindLaw (Thomson)
>WashLaw Web (Washburn University School of Law)"
>...............................
> "Since all of our high school students have school-issued
>e-mail accounts we send all of their overdue notices to them
>through Alexandria. I would suggest you contact the library
>media supervisor in your state to see what your state's
>interpretation of confidentiality laws entails. Our state
>supervisor says Missouri's position is that parents have the
>right to know what their kids have checked out and we have
>an obligation to inform them if they ask. I don't know
>about just automatically e-mailing to parents without their
>request. It will be interesting to see what librarians in
>various states have to say about this."
>...................................
> "Hi, I email overdue notices to students, not parents. However, I have a
>number of students who don't check their email daily. For them, I send
>a quick reminder to their Facebook or MySpace account - the catalog
>won't do it automatically, but they see the notice."
>...................................
>
> "Vicki, I think the information some people gave you about confidentiality
>is incorrect. I just mailed overdue letters to parents. I made my own letter
>and yes, I included titles and prices. My principals and I have spoken at length
>about this, and they all say that parents have a legal right to know. I admit
>that it was difficult for me especially at the high school when the titles
>were provocative or might be questionable to a parent. I think schools are
>different. These children, after all, belong to their parents who are responsible.
>We expect them to find the books when they’re lost and pay for them if they’
>re not found. They have the right to know the titles. Parents do have the right
>to say what their children can and can’t read or check out. I don’t know if
>you are a parent, but, if you are, you might put yourself in that position.
>How would you feel about getting an overdue notice asking you to find the book
>or pay for it but without the title? “Look for this book, but I won’t tell you
>the name of it.” More important, parents do have legal rights and
>responsibilities, and I wouldn’t look kindly about people who try to take them
>away. In
>mho common sense always applies. We are not public libraries."
>...................
>
> "If the student is a minor then student confidentiality is not breached. My
>personal opinion. I know that my son turned 18 before his senior year
>started. I told him he could sign for things, but his dad and/or I had
>better know about it since we were paying the bills. I bet Carol Simpson
>could tell you exactly."
>.................................
>Again, thanks for all of your input!
>
>Vicki Reutter, LMS
>Cazenovia (NY) High School
>vreutt@aol.com
>vreutter@caz.cnyric.org
>
>
>
>
Kate Gallion
Librarian ~ Teacher
TUSD Alternative Education
Project MORE H.S.
Tucson, AZ 85719
cag02@cox.net
http://edweb.tusd.k12.az.us/Alternative_Ed/
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