The Detroit Public Library (DPL) supports the American Library Association’s principle that “encourages libraries and their staff to protect the privacy and confidentiality of people’s lawful use of the library, its equipment, and its resources.” (ALA Policy 52.4, Policy on Confidentiality of Library Records.)
DPL is committed to protecting the privacy of library user records of material circulation, records of access to electronic resources, including the Internet, and any other information that specifically identifies or tracks a person's library usage.
The library will treat circulation records and other records identifying the names of library users or their use of library resources as confidential. DPL maintains such records only to the extent that they are reasonably necessary or appropriate for efficient provision of library and information services.
Customer records will be made available to law enforcement authorities only as required by a process, warrant, order or subpoena authorized by law.
The Detroit Library Commission has designated the library's Executive Director as the institution's privacy officer. The Executive Director may designate other persons to serve in this capacity as necessary. The privacy officer will oversee and coordinate, in consultation with the library’s counsel, all requests and orders by law enforcement personnel for access to library records.
If approached by a law enforcement officer with a subpoena, the library staff will not discloseany information, but will immediately notify the privacy officer, who will consult with the library's legal counsel. If approached by a law enforcement officer with a search warrant, library staff will follow the guidelines for complying with a search warrant as detailed in the document, DPL Procedures for Responding to Law Enforcement Search Warrants and Subpoenas.
Approved 9/16/2003; rev. 6/17/2025