California Library Laws

California Statutes: http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/calaw.html

State Library Association: California Library Association

Security Breach Notification Law : Cal. Civ. Code §§ 56.06, 1785.11.2, 1798.29, 1798.82 

Data Disposal Law: Cal. Civ. Code §1798.81

Library Records Privacy:

CALIFORNIA CODES GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 6250-6270 6250.

In enacting this chapter, the Legislature, mindful of the right of individuals to privacy, finds and declares that access to information concerning the conduct of the people’s business is a fundamental and necessary right of every person in this state. 6251. This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the California Public Records Act.

6254. Except as provided in Sections 6254.7 and 6254.13, nothing in this chapter shall be construed to require disclosure of records that are any of the following:

(j) Library circulation records kept for the purpose of identifying the borrower of items available in libraries, and library and museum materials made or acquired and presented solely for reference or exhibition purposes. The exemption in this subdivision shall not apply to records of fines imposed on the borrowers.

GOVERNMENT CODE TITLE 1. GENERAL DIVISION 7. Miscellaneous CHAPTER 3.5. Inspection of Public Records ARTICLE 1. General Provisions

Cal Gov Code § 6267

§ 6267.  Registration and circulation records of library supported by public funds

   All registration and circulation records of any library which is in whole or in part supported by public funds shall remain confidential and shall not be disclosed to any person, local agency, or state agency except as follows:

   (a) By a person acting within the scope of his or her duties within the administration of the library.

   (b) By a person authorized, in writing, by the individual to whom the records pertain, to inspect the records.

   (c) By order of the appropriate superior court.

   As used in this section, the term "registration records" includes any information which a library requires a patron to provide in order to become eligible to borrow books and other materials, and the term "circulation records" includes any information which identifies the patrons borrowing particular books and other material.

   This section shall not apply to statistical reports of registration and circulation nor to records of fines collected by the library.
Cal Gov Code § 6254

§ 6254.  Records exempt from disclosure requirements

   Except as provided in Sections 6254.7 and 6254.13, nothing in this chapter shall be construed to require disclosure of records that are any of the following:

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   (j) Library circulation records kept for the purpose of identifying the borrower of items available in libraries, and library and museum materials made or acquired and presented solely for reference or exhibition purposes. The exemption in this subdivision shall not apply to records of fines imposed on the borrowers.