1. Introduction
The Grand Forks & District Public Library is committed to protecting your privacy. Any personal information collected, used or disclosed by the Grand Forks & District Public Library is in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPPA).
2. What is personal information?
Personal information is defined by FOIPPA as information about an identifiable person. Some examples of personal information are name, age, home address, phone number, email address, IP address (a computer’s address), identification numbers, reading choices and age. FOIPPA’s definition of personal information does not include work contact information , which is information that would allow a person to be contacted at a place of business, such as the person’s name, title, business address, business phone number, and business email address.
3. Collection of personal information
When collecting personal information from you, the Grand Forks & District Public Library will advise you of the purpose for collecting it and the legal authority for doing so. We will also provide you with contact information of the library’s FOI/Privacy Officer, who can answer your questions regarding the collection.
The following are some example of purposes for which the Grand Forks & District Public Library may collect your personal information:
- issuing library cards
- identifying materials currently on loan
- placing and tracking inter-library loans
- identifying and recording overdue materials
- placing and tracking materials on hold
- providing answers to reference questions
- providing information about library programs and services
- providing Home Service for patrons with special needs
- recording book suggestions
- recording comments or suggestions
- general library operations
- library fundraising
Patrons who do not wish to be contacted about library services and programs or for fundraising purposes may choose to opt-out.
4. How is personal information used?
The Grand Forks & District Public Library will only use your personal information for the purposes for which it was originally collected or in a manner that is consistent with those purposes. The library will only use your personal information for different purpose if you explicitly consent to the new purpose or the use is authorized under FOIPPA or is otherwise required by law.
5. When is personal information disclosed?
The Grand Forks & District Public Library does not sell or rent personal information. Personal information is disclosed only in accordance with FOIPPA or as otherwise required by law.
Where other organizations require personal information in order to provide services on behalf of the library, the Grand Forks & District Public Library ensures that these organizations treat the personal information in compliance with FOIPPA and the library’s privacy policies.
Examples of where personal information may be disclosed include:
- when a patron explicitly consents to the disclosure;
- to a collection agency for the purpose of collecting a debt;
- for law enforcement purposes, such as where required by a subpoena, warrant or other order;
- where there are compelling health and safety concerns; or
- to contact a person’s next of kin if that person is injured, becomes ill or dies while visiting the library.
6. How is personal information kept secure?
The Grand Forks & District Public Library uses reasonable security measures to protect against risks such as unauthorized access, collection, use, disclosure or disposal.
Security measures include physical, technological and operational safeguards that are appropriate to the nature and format of the personal information.
7. How long is personal information kept?
How long the Grand Forks & District Public Library keeps your personal information depends on the purpose for which the information was collected.
If the Grand Forks & District Public Library uses your personal information to make a decision that affects you, we must keep that information for at least one year so that you have an opportunity to access it. Otherwise, the library will keep personal information only for the length of time necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected. Personal information is securely destroyed when it is no longer needed.
8. Accuracy of personal information
The Grand Forks & District Public Library will endeavour to ensure the personal information is as accurate, complete and up-to-date as necessary.
9. How can I access or correct my personal information?
You have a right to request access to personal information held by the Grand Forks & District Public Library. To do so, you may submit a written request to the Grand Forks & District Public Library’s FOI/Privacy Officer (see contact information below). Your request should provide enough detail to enable a library employee to find the personal information (e.g. personal information I provided when I applied for a library card).
You also have a right to request that your personal information about you by the Grand Forks & District Public Library be corrected if you believe it is incorrect. You may do so by submitting your request in writing to the FOI/Privacy Officer (see contact information below).
10. Children’s personal information
Children have the same rights as adults with respect to their personal information under FOIPPA. Where a child is “incapable” of exercising her right to access, correct or consent to the disclosure of his/her personal information, the child’s parent or guardian may do so on her behalf.
The Grand Forks & District Public Library assumes that children 12 years are generally capable of exercising their own rights for policy purposes. However, the library may treat a request on an individual basis where a child or parent/guardian does not believe the guideline age is appropriate in their circumstances.
11. Changes to This Privacy Policy
The Grand Forks & District Public Library’s practices and policies are reviewed from time to time. This policy will be updated to reflect the changes.
12. Who can I contact about the Grand Forks & District Public Library’s privacy policies?
If you have any questions or concerns about this policy or how the Grand Forks & District Public Library treats your personal information, you may contact our FOI/Privacy Officer.
Name: Cari Lynn Postnikoff
Title: Library Director
Address: 7342-5th Street, PO Box 1539
Grand Forks BC V0H 1H0
Phone: 250-442-3944
If you are not satisfied with how your complaint was handled by the Grand Forks & District Public Library, you have the right to complain to the Information and Privacy Commissioner.
Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for British Columbia
PO Box 9038, Stn. Prov. Govt.
Victoria, B.C. V8W 9A4
Tel: 250.387.5629 (Victoria)
Toll free: Call Enquiry B.C. at 604.660.2421 (Vancouver) or 1.800.663.7367 (elsewhere in B.C.) and request a transfer to 250.387.5629.
Email: info@oipc.bc.ca
Website: http://oipc.bc.ca